Sorry can't help with UK regs. but over here a "marifoon" certificate is
legally required for anyone wishing to use a VHF set even for recreational
purposes.
Having said that , I do not have such a certificate but keep my 1963 issued
restricted RT one on board.
The secret is to buy a set with no ATIS function - then they can't trace you.
You have bit of a dilemma here. You say that you will not transmit but OFCOM will insist that, if your equipment is capable of transmitting on international VHF channels (such as Chan.16 which you mention), then some sort of licence will be required. The difficult bit is - which licence? At first glance, it would seem that the Short Range Certificate (administered by the Royal Yachting Association) would be the one but that is intended for use at sea, not ashore.
However, if your equipment is incapable of transmitting, then the answer is easy. No licence is required - you would be in the same situation as aviation enthusiasts who frequent airports monitoring the airband used by commercial airliners.
Forgot to mention in my explanation above that in your original post you did mention that you intend buying a TRANSceiver, which means it will be capable of making transmissions. So a licence will be required. I'm not too sure that, as a member of the public, you will be allowed the use of a transceiver on international VHF channels. My advice would be to ditch the idea of a transceiver and go for receive-only equipment.
Buy a handheld transceiver and use it. Nobody is going to ask you for your licence unless you make a real hash of it, and if it's real emergency who cares about the rules? A friend of mine has been doing this for years with no problem.
If you want to do it properly, you can get an Offcom Short Range Certificate covering VHF by attending a one day course. (Costs about (£75). I don't know where you are but there are many places around the country running such courses. Contact the RYA for details, you should find a list of schools on their website, or look in any of the boating/yachting mags (classified section).
Then you know that a) you are legal and b) you are up to date with latest practices.
Well Tony , that's a point. I realise it's the law but why should anyone need a license. What is so complicated in the working of
a VHF set ? , what latest practises ?.
I've got one and I'll be dammed if I'll take an exam just because its on board for emergency use if required.
JC, I did sayi IF you wanted to do it properly, I am aware that some people will cir***vent rules simply because they can. Strictly speaking even using a hand held radio, if you are transmitting from a vessel, that vessel requires a licence, (and a call sign).
On the other hand, I am sure that any station picking up an emergency call is unlikely to ask the caller for his licence number!
Until about ten years ago, when cell-phones became really cheap, every taxi here had a marine VHF as did their dispatchers. Easy and cheap to purchase and plenty of channels to choose from; also enables one to keep in touch with home or colleagues when out fishing.
I'm not saying I agreed or disagreed with the practice, but at the time I was part of the regulatory system and we took the decision that it was politically impossible to do anything about it.
Reading between the lines, I wouldn't doubt that Eric has the idea of using VHF to stay in touch with his son-in-law, who could at least be assured of a familiar voice on the other end if he needs help.
I have never heard anything about the 'Authority to Operate' granted by PMG certificates being rescinded and therefore Eric should be covered; I cannot, however, comment upon the situation with regard to operating a shore station.
I would say though, if it was me I would buy the transceivers and not publish the fact on SN or anywhere else.
Until about ten years ago, when cell-phones became really cheap, every taxi here had a marine VHF as did their dispatchers. Easy and cheap to purchase and plenty of channels to choose from; also enables one to keep in touch with home or colleagues when out fishing.
I'm not saying I agreed or disagreed with the practice, but at the time I was part of the regulatory system and we took the decision that it was politically impossible to do anything about it.
Reading between the lines, I wouldn't doubt that Eric has the idea of using VHF to stay in touch with his son-in-law, who could at least be assured of a familiar voice on the other end if he needs help.
I have never heard anything about the 'Authority to Operate' granted by PMG certificates being rescinded and therefore Eric should be covered; I cannot, however, comment upon the situation with regard to operating a shore station.
I would say though, if it was me I would buy the transceivers and not publish the fact on SN or anywhere else.
Sorry, I think it has been replaced by GMDSS, mine certainly was.
Also, Radio and Competency certs have to be re-validated after 5 yrs, if not then a course and/ or sea time is required.
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