VHF/DSC Marine Radio Training

The Short Range Certificate for VHF/DSC marine radio is a mandatory certificate required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC)  equipment on any vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio. This includes both fixed and hand held equipment using International channels.

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.

This is a one-day course where you learning how to send distress and urgency messages, make inter-ship calls, what to say, how to say and when to say. The course will be taught and examined using radio simulators. The exam will also include a short written test.

Assuming successful completion of the VHF/SRC exam (practical & theory) the course leads to the achievement of the Short Range Certificate which is the legal requirement for operating a marine band radio.

Course topics include:

• 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)

The course will be taught using radio simulators and will be examined by a short written test.

Duration: 1 day (classroom course 09.00-17-00) + exam in the following day
Minimum age: 16
Items to bring: Passport sized photograph, credit or debit card (for licence/exam fee – payable direct to RYA)
Expected pre-course knowledge: You may collect the G31 course book from our office prior to the course or if you are unable to do this, then please read and learn the content of this download: RYA VHF/DSC marine radio pre-course reading – DOWNLOAD HERE