VHF Radio
Short Range Radio Certificate – £120
The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to operate a VHF radio fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on any British vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio.
A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures.
Unnecessary transmissions could block out a Mayday distress call.
All new VHF sets are either fitted or can be interfaced, with DSC allowing calls to specific vessels. If you hold the ‘old’ VHF license (pre-1999) you need to upgrade your qualification if you purchase new equipment. This can be done by attending this course.
Course Details
| Previous experience needed | None |
| Course duration | 8-10 hours (online) |
| Exam | 1 hour |
| Minimum age | 16 years |
The course will be taught and examined using radio simulators. The exam will also include a short written test.
Course Content
| The basics of radio operation |
| The correct frequencies (channels) to be used |
| Distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures |
| Making ship to shore telephone calls |
| Digital Selective Calling (DSC) using simulators |
| Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) |
| Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) |
| Search and Rescue (SART) |