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RYA Training Centre MCA PCA
VHF DSC Online

RYA VHF Radio Classroom + Exam

£
110.
00
per day
View course details

The RYA VHF Radio Classroom Course is for anyone who owns a fixed or hand-held marine VHF radio.

The Short Range Certificate is the qualification required, by law, if you operate a VHF radio fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on any British vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio.

A VHF radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures.

At Mendez Marine we offer regular 1-day classroom courses, which includes the exam at the end of the teaching session.  The classroom sessions are fun and interactive with an opportunity to practice using a variety of training radios which will help give you the confidence to use the radio when onboard. You will also learn about other safety equipment and its use i.e. EPIRB, PLB.  Training in the classroom gives you the opportunity to learn about real life scenarios and ask questions on any areas of how radio’s work that you are not clear about.  We keep our classroom numbers small, 8:1 maximum, so that students get plenty of opportunity to ask questions and take part in the sessions.

The exam takes the form of a multiple-choice paper and practical radio scenarios and generally starts about 17:00.  Exam fee is £70 payable direct to the RYA the link will be sent prior to the course . https://www.rya.org.uk/exams

When you book the course we will send you the book with a couple of sections highlighted for you to read, this will include the phonetic alphabet and channel allocation.

The course takes place in our five star classroom at Deacons Marina, Bridge Road, Bursledon SO31 7AZ.  parking is available.

Pre-course experience None
Assumed knowledge None
Minimum duration 10 hours – 3 hours pre study and then 1 day in the classroom  at Mendez Marine
Minimum age 16
Student : Instructor Ratio Max 8:1
Resources Supplied G26 VHF Handbook
Pre-course reading Channel allocation (page 25 – 29), the phonetic alphabet (page 42) and DSC distress (page 67 – 71)
Course content

  • The basics of VHF radio operation
  • The correct frequencies (channels) to be used
  • Distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures
  • Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
  • Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
  • Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
  • Search and Rescue Transponder (SART)
Ability after the course To be able to use a short range VHF marine radio to the standards required by the RYA/MCA

Mendez Marine also offer a VHF/DSC refresher course aimed at existing VHF licence holders who fell that would benefit from an opportunity to practice making VHF calls using training radios whilst also refreshing their theory knowledge and any updates to VHF procedures.  click here for the booking page

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