Theory - VHF/DSC Marine Radio

Price: £99 per person. + £25 licence fee made payable directly to the RYA.

This 1 day course is held at Neilson's super modern HQ in Brighton Marina.  With free parking and comfortable air conditioned classrooms that overlook the marina, the facilities are amongst the best in the UK.  You will be taught by experienced, friendly tutors who will take you through the course with professionalism & understanding.

Operation of a VHF radio without a license is illegal, and may lead to fines of up to £5000 and a prison sentence of up to 6 months, so this course is a must for any serious boat owner & Coastal/Yachtmaster Offshore candidates. VHF's equipped with DSC are rapidly replacing old VHF’s so make sure your training is up to date! The course includes an assessment and runs through all aspects of operating a VHF radio including digital selective calling (DSC). On successful completion, a license to operate any voluntary fit VHF radio will be issued.

The Short Range Certificate (SRC) authorises the holder to operate a VHF fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on board British vessels. If you own a marine radio hand-held or fixed set, you are required by law to hold an operator’s licence. Learn the procedures for operation and gain the qualification on this one-day examined course.

Candidates must bring along a current passport size photograph of themselves and a cheque made payable to RYA for £25. There will be an assessment at the end of training for the day. Licences will be sent directly to the candidates by the RYA on succesful completion of the examination.

Course covers:

VHF communications
Controls found on marine VHF set
Channels (simplex & duplex)
VHF communication range
VHF DSC (Digital Selective Calling)
Distress, Safety and Routine Calling
MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) numbers
Ships licence and radio regulations
Voice procedures
Maydays, Pan-Pans etc.
NAVTEX
MSI (Martine Safety Information) broadcasts
Stations
Portable safety equipment
EPIRB (Emergency Positioning Indication Radio Beacons)
SARTs (Search & Rescue radar Transponders)