VHF (SRC) Training Course
The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on any British flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio. This includes both fixed and hand held equipment using International channels.
http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/legal/Web%20Documents/Legal%20Leaflets/Clubs/Laws%20and%20Regulations/VHF%20RADIO%20REGULATIONS.pdf
There is a lot of regulation about licences
for radios see; http://www.scotsail.co.uk/vhf_radio_answers.html note, this is written by someone promoting
training!
The SRC course can be taken in the
classroom or online with an RYA recognised training centre. The exam must be
taken at the training centre. The new
double whammy is that you need a different assessor for overseeing the training
and the exam more costs!
You don’t have t do the training if you are
confident that you can pass the assessment, I found this free online quite
quickly http://www.ewoggle.com/Online-Courses/ The challenge if you
choose this route is finding someone to assess you! The assessment and licence is combined and
costs £60.
There are plenty of choices available
online to make it easier: I have
identified two options
First Option
email info@n58.co.uk web www.n58.co.uk phone 01309 690 099
They are based in Findhorn but offer an
online e-training (with phone tutoring) for £69. When you are ready you have to go to Findhorn
for the assessment. There are no
reductions for a group the price is the same for one or more.
Second Option
Christine Crook who manages the UHI
Ullapool learning centre will be running a two day course sometime in the next
few months. This will probably on a week
day. The cost of the course (including
exam) is £165. This is very good value
for a class based course, although more expensive than the Findhorn option, you
save on travel costs! You can contact
Christine on:
Christine.Crook.whc@uhi.ac.uk
Christine.Crook.whc@uhi.ac.uk