About The Course
VHF/DSC Background
This is the interactive Marine Radio VHF/DSC course for the short Range Certificate (SRC) that allows the legal use of Marine VHF/DSC radios. The course is available on PC and MAC.
On successful completion of the interactive course, you will be given an individual ‘pass’ number that you will then provide for the practical assessment that must be taken at an RYA Shorebased Centre that provides the assessment. It is hoped that you will be able to attend an assessment at PPSA at Neyland Yacht Haven, Brunel Quay, Neyland in Pembrokeshire, details of dates for assessments are contained in the PPSA Calendar, although if you cannot find a date to suit you, please get in touch and the assessment team will endeavour to find a date to suit you.
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 Transponder (SART)
- The course will be taught using online content (see below) and examined using radio simulators and a short written test.
Assessment
The assessment comprises of a 30 min theory paper and a 30 min practical assessment. On successful completion, your licence application will be sent to be processed by the RYA. The assessment and licence application will cost a further £76. Therefore, cost for the entire process will be £151.
As part of the course you will receive the VHF Handbook (G31) and a VHF/DSC licence application form which you must bring with you to the Assessment, you will also require a passport sized photo of yourself.
Assumed Knowledge
None, however you must be 16 years old or older.
Duration
This is an online course that will last a minimum of 10 hours plus an exam at PPSA.
On Completion
Able to operate a marine radio and know the procedures required to use it.
After completing the online Marine Radio VHF/DSC study part of the course you will need to sign up to one of our VHF exam dates below to complete the written paper and practical testing.
Payment for the exam needs to be made directly to the RYA. Click the button below to Discover more about this and make your exam fee payment.
What’s Included
This is the RYA’s official title to support the RYA VHF Operator’s Short Range Certificate examination. It expands upon the quick reference VHF Radio inc GMDSS book (G22) to assist with a deeper level of understanding which will help you pass the exam.
It details everything that sailors need to know about using VHF radios including how they work, the rules and regulations which govern it and the procedures that must be followed.
In helping you prepare for the test, the book links the easy-to-follow text to the syllabus to give you all you need to know to pass the exam.
The clear instruction and colourful illustrations make this complicated yet highly important subject much clearer and will help you learn the call procedures.
Course Dates
The study section of this DSC SRC/VHF course is taken online at a time and pace to suit you.
