Hand held VHF

[IcemanII]

Just brought a hand held vhf as a backup radio and to be used for beach to boat..... now can drop the kids off on the beach and head out a couple of K's fishing. Decided on Raymarine and after talking to a coastguard in Brisbane who said they are in the process of replacing all there existing gear with Raymarine as its the ONLY brand that has proven not to break when used daily. Spent an hour making calls to boating shops and discovered Glass Craft Marine in the valley, they were heaps cheaper than any other quoted price I was given and had several in stock.

[Bugs]

Do your children have a VHF operators certificate IcemanII? I am going to suggest that your comments are nothing more than a poor attempt at very bad salesman ship. What is your connection with GlassCraft Marine? In this instance you should accept that attempting to con people can lead to prosecution.

[IcemanII]

This Is a reply from Icemans wife, Dear Bug you are possibly the only rude and extremely ignorant person I have ever come across on what is normally an informative and very funny forum. I feel that you either are extremely jaded or you have some other moral issue, Today is icemans birthday and I made a special trip into this business in the valley to purchase this for his birthday. I found the people there most helpful although I had never visted their store before. So please do us all a favour Bug and BUG off to where you came from!!!!!

[DaveSue_Fishos_Two]

I am going to suggest that your comments and opinions are unfounded at this point Bugs. In short, pull your head in.

Cheers

Dave

[rough_shag]

Hey Bugs mate, you have absolutely no basis for your ASSUMPTION that there is some kinda underhanded connection between Ice and Glascraft and the prosecution comment is ridiculous.Get your 'facts' straight before you go for the jugular but the radio license comment is a valid one in my opinion though. ;)Jace.

[Ron173]

Hey IcemanII,

can I ask what you paid for your handneld vhf and are you happy with its performance for your intended use?

I'm looking for a similair use of a handheld but dont want to break bank over it, only looking for a cheapie as it wont ever be used in a lifesaving application. The boat has a good one fitted for that.

Ref the operators etc. I did some digging and this quote is from Maritime site, its Australia wide, not just nsw.

A certificate from the Australian Communications Authority is still required to use VHF radio on boats in Australia. Marine radio users can either obtain a Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP) or a Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (MROVCP) to meet this requirement.

However, VHF radio is now covered by a Class Licence, so marine radio users do not need to obtain (and pay for) a separate radio licence.

Ron

[Jeremy]

yes there are a couple of issues here.

Firstly the licencing of the user. VHF radios require a MROVCP or MROCP which means taking a course and passing a written tst.

Secondly, I am pretty sure that it is illegal to use one from the shore. ie to set up a shore station.

In reality, you will probably never be found out. But I do suggest that you stick to recommended channels and keep you conversations short so everyone can enjoy the service.

Jeremy

[linzmitch58]

All of the above makes an interesting read.

Yes, there was something to learn regarding licenses, which I never knew.

But I also note that there has been no hint of reply or apology from "Bugs" regarding the blunt remarks regading "very bad salesmanship" or alledged connection to the shop that IcemeanII had a good experience at. Both of accusations were full of assumptions, and weren't correct.

That's pretty weak on "Bugs' " behalf

Linz

[MulletMan]

Yer right re the land station on VHF Jeremy - not allowed at all. :'(

But the MROCP won't get you a VHF licence unfortunately ..... it is the "V" in the MROVP that is the VHF bit....... ::) ::)

[essky]

What if you walked out into the water and used the radio :)

[Bugs]

Mr & Mrs Iceman11,

May I suggest you have brought an item (mainly a handheld VHF radio) for purposes which you do not understand the legality, they are not suitable for the purpose you propose and neither should they be used by unsupervised children. There are other more suitable radio equipment if in fact you have brought these for the purpose you supposedly mention.

These have also been obviously sold to you by people (mainly Glascraft) who have apparently not pointed out the legalities and other conditions of use. That would be called extremely poor and improper salemeanship as if they had outlined the requirements for using these radio then you should have recognised they were totally not suitable for your supposed purpose.

[joey_1987]

If you want to communicate line of sight for 5km or less, then grab a couple of the 0.5w walkie talkie's which are being sold everywhere, they use 40 UHF CB channels and no license required, though ch5 is the emergency channel so keep off that one. They work brilliantly, and you can pick them up for $25 each these days, they last for 25 hours off a set of aaa's, I always use rechargeables. If you want more power then you can do that too, you can buy a variety of power ranges up to the maximum legal 5w. Cheers, Joey.

[subzero]

The MROCP is a higher level of "Certification" than the MROVCP and automaticly covers you for the lesser VHF recreational use Radio's.

The MROCP is the license required for anyone that is going to be using Marine Radio on any Comercial Vessel or land based establishment that has sought special licensing to be able to operate from a shore based station. (This is frequently the case where a fishing or boating club for instance may want to operate a service for their own members such as the M.B.T.B.C do).

Some larger private or commercial vessels venturing further offshore or doing lenghthly coastal voyages may need the higher level of knowledge/skills to be able to use MF/HF Radio for world wide coverage and therefore will need the unrestricted MROCP.

VHF sets are covered by a class license for the set itself. (The set itself does not have to be registered/licensed).

The MF/HF sets MUST be registered and have a license issued for the set itself. (The set must be registered and the Ship Station Apparatus License must be kept with the radio at all times).

Both types of sets require the operator to hold an appropriate license to operate the set that he intends on using. (Or supervises someone else to use).

Clear as mud :)

Cheers Lloyd

[IcemanII]

Bugs, again making assumptions !! for your info, glasscraft didn't inform me and are not obliged to as per any other boat shop etc, I do have a MROCP which is for HF and VHF, MRVOCP is VHF only. I could list several boat shops in Brisbane that have told me in the past that using VHF that its not quite legal without a licence but really who cares........

As far as my kids using it all I will say is I often drive over the speed limit, haven't had ticket in 15 years or any accidents ever. There are occasions in life where the law can be wrong. After stating that I will also state that it was NOT the purpose of buying a $400 radio but rather some light humour, the real reason was as a backup or any other useful function I find for it including leaving it on at home and listening to channel 81 to hear what's happening in the bay. Will also note that should I get ship wrecked and end-up on the beach with the hand-held I will call for help even if not legal to use from land.

My opinion is that VHF should be included with a boat licence, I have Commercial helicopter licence and 20 years ago they changed a commercial licence to include VHF and HF as it made sense for the sake of communications and safety.

I will also add that my brother is a skipper with the coastguard and the source of my information, he advised to buy Raymarine as they had been doing test's with different brands and it was proving to be the best, apparently it was there only hand-held that hadn't broken

I had given up on this post as rather than passing information I had discovered to others I was personally slammed and discredited by Bugs. My feeling is there is plenty of other chat boards out there to abuse people on but I don't think this is the purpose of Aufish or what members want. Bugs - You just don't seem to get it !!

I would like to thank Ausfish members for the positive responses and are happy that this has turned into a useful topic.

[Jeremy]

Yer right re the land station on VHF Jeremy - not allowed at all. :'(

But the MROCP won't get you a VHF licence unfortunately ..... it is the "V" in the MROVP that is the VHF bit....... ::) ::)

Um....Mr Pink Panther, MROCP means Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency, MROVCP means Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency. Would have thought that you would have known this. Too late at night?

Jeremy

[GBC]

Various Uhf/Vhf radios for sale out of Hong Kong on ebay all the time - I got a couple of the 5w KYD's which turn out to be basically the same as a Moto$%^^a which retails for a whole lot more.
Haven't had it long, but had no probs so far.

And before you start bugs, I am in no way affilliated with ebay or KYD.

I have however, been a commercial skipper, and see the licensing of Uhf operators as ridiculous - esp as now that most emergency organisations which used to rely on the i.e. Police etc, have switched to digital comms anyway? No better safety backup than a handheld for the situations you guys are discussing - enjoy them.

[Got_the_Fever]

After reading this post I still dont know wether or not to go for a 27mhz or a vhf radio. I am totally lost about needing a licence or not. I think it is time to go and talk to the coast guard at scarborough to help me sort out this dilemma.

Kel [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

[subzero]

Here is a link to the Leisure Marine site that has a pretty good write up about the different sets.
http://www.leisure-marine.com.au/UsefulInfo/marineradios.asp
To me their are 3 critical things about using a Marine Radio.

Knowing when to use it

How to use it

Not be afraid to use it


I PERSONALLY could not care less wether people sit their license or not, just that they have been given the skills and confidence to use it when the need arises without hesitation, hesitate and you may not have time to make the call!!! (That doesnt mean panic either).

If anyone wants to sit in on a course this Saturday at VMR Victoria Point, I have a couple of spaces available. You will not be able to sit a test as I would not get the papers from the O.M.C on time. However, a full days course for free, you walk away hopefully having learnt something that may benefit you a great deal in the future, the offer is on the table if anyone wants it. (You might like to donate a couple of $ for your tea/coffee and bikies though).

Cheers Lloyd

[SatNav]

Now there is definently an offer too good to be refused. What's a few bucks for tea and bickies and come away KNOWING when to use it and HOW to use it!

[longtail]

Lloyd - when i did marine studies at high school ( err 16 years ago :-X) i sat the exam and got the cert for a MARINE RADIO OPERATORS CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENTY , is this the same as the license that is issued now??

cheers
Jason

[subzero]

Gidday Longtail, the Restricted Radiotelephone Operators Certificate of Proficiency (RROCP) was issued prior to the first of February 1999.

The Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP) was introduced in 1999 to include the use of Digital Selective Calling.

Holders of the pre 1999 RROCP and the earlier Third Class commercial Operators Certificates are considered qualified for life to operate small vessel marine radio equipment, including those fitted with DSC capabilitys but the ACA (Now days known as the Australian Communications and Media Authority) recommends that people do re-qualify for one of the new certificates.

I found their fact sheet which covers the requirements and recomendations to do with the licensing for Marine Radio's and their use at the link below.

http://www.acma.gov.au/ACMAINTER.131184:STANDARD::pc=PC_1743

In a nutshel, their have been some important changes since you having sat yours, their has been some re-designation of frequencies and whom those frequencys are monitored by, (Or not monitored by at all in some cases), as well as the introduction of Digital Selective Calling (DSC).

For frequency re-designation go here

http://www.amcom.amc.edu.au/handbook/Frequencies_01012004.pdf

Your certificate, (Licence) is valid so therefore you hold the legal accreditation, wether or not you are competant is another matter. (And I am not saying you arent competant, you may have kept up to date with changes etc and use your radio frequently and wisely).

I hope that answers your question.

Cheers Lloyd

[longtail]

thanks for that Lloyd . i will have to sit in on one of your courses sometime ;)

i use my radio everytime i go out , so i would like to think i am still competent however i have a VHF that is DSC capable and would like to learn how to use that feature.

thanks again

Jason