Denver Kirsten
New member
Just purchased a VHF Radio, has anyone got advice as per radio etiquette to get the max out of the communication. Do I go on a course? Skipper certificate showed basics – how do I get more info?
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[size=3][font=Calibri]Just purchased a VHF Radio,
- Thread starter Denver Kirsten
- Start date
Hiya
Legalities first. Your VHF radio, if its over 5w, has to have a radio licence. Most handhelds are under 5w, so no licence is required. If you have a fixed mounted VHF, it'll most likely be 25w and therefor a RADIO LICENCE is needed. This is a the procedure:
- Go to ICASA's offices (they're at N1 city, phone - 021 595 7300, address: no1, Neels Bothma Street, N1 city)
- inform them that you WISH to purchase a VHF radio.
- complete the required form, which will be given to you, which will include the model number of the radio.
- now, you can go to N1 city and make the payment of about R400 (i think) into their account. Take the deposit slip back to ICASA.
- they will now process your Radio Licence and you will receive it in the post a few weeks later (or sometimes a few months later!!)
- keep a copy of the deposit slip as proof of payment, should anyone ask you for your RADIO licence.
As you can see, that is the proper procedure for purchasing a VHF radio. If you have already purchased a VHF radio, WITH-OUT a licence from ANY dealer/shop, you've broken the law and the dealer can be fined very heavily!! So, rather just write down the model number of your VHF, lets say ICOM 402 and tell ICASA you wish to purchase that model.
Now, your VHF has a RADIO LICENCE. YOU as the skipper/user of the VHF needs a OPERATORS LICENCE. Many instructors who do skippers courses also run radio operators courses. You can get the instructional reading/study material from ICASA, its relatively straight forward, but DO THE COURSE. The practical side of things will be easier to understand if you do the course.
After you've done the course, you then book an exam at ICASA. (course instructor normally books the exam) You write a exam, which comprises of you listening to a recorded message and documenting what the voice is saying, and some short and long questions. Once they've marked you answers (while you wait there), and have passed (its really VERY easy!!), you will now move on to the PRACTICAL test, which involves working and sending a mayday on both VHF and SSB radios. DONE. The examiners at ICASA are really friendly and helpfull and its actually very easy.
I can refer you to a VERY good instructor, who does skippers courses and almost ANY other course you can think of!! He is VERY knowledgable and offers many courses for the commercial sector. Contact Patrick 083 307 5204, tell him i refered you.
Standard operation:
Channel 16 is your emergency channel. Should you ever need to send out a distres signal (MAYDAY), you must use channel 16. Most radio's have a dedictated button that you press that'll take you to channel 16.
Channel 71 is the one used by most recreationals for general fishing chatter.
Channel 69 is used if you want to chat longer to some-one, but don't want to hog Channel 71. Procedure is to call the person on 71, then ask them to go to 69.
General rules:
- NO SWEARING or foul language. This is agianst the law and you can get fined heavily.
- Don't HOG channel 71 with crap talking. Rather use 69 for prolonged talk.
- Talk slowly and clearly
- Be courteous to other users. If you hear somebody on the VHF, don't try and transmit whilst he is still speaking.
Setting your radio up:
- once you radio is installed, switch it on.
- using the up or down buttons, scroll to channel 71
- the radio will be making a screeching/crackling noise
- turn the SQWELCH slowly until the screeching/cracking goes away. LEAVE it like this.
- on the water, do a radio check, just to see if everything is working fine. Call up PENGUIN (cape point) if you're in False Bay, or SCARBOROUGH if you're in Houtbay. Use: PENGUIN, PENGUIN, PENGUIN, this is YOUR BOATS NAME, YOUR BOATS NAME,YOUR BOATS NAME, over. When the station responds, simply reply that you want to do a radio check and they'll tell you how well they recieve you and you can hear on your side how well you recieve them. If you are in a area where you know nobody simply call "ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS".
- worth noting, the HIGHER your aerial is mounted the BETTER your radio will perform.
- if you are running great distances get a PACIFIC aerial, if you don't already have one. They give GREAT performance for their price!!
Regards
miles
Legalities first. Your VHF radio, if its over 5w, has to have a radio licence. Most handhelds are under 5w, so no licence is required. If you have a fixed mounted VHF, it'll most likely be 25w and therefor a RADIO LICENCE is needed. This is a the procedure:
- Go to ICASA's offices (they're at N1 city, phone - 021 595 7300, address: no1, Neels Bothma Street, N1 city)
- inform them that you WISH to purchase a VHF radio.
- complete the required form, which will be given to you, which will include the model number of the radio.
- now, you can go to N1 city and make the payment of about R400 (i think) into their account. Take the deposit slip back to ICASA.
- they will now process your Radio Licence and you will receive it in the post a few weeks later (or sometimes a few months later!!)
- keep a copy of the deposit slip as proof of payment, should anyone ask you for your RADIO licence.
As you can see, that is the proper procedure for purchasing a VHF radio. If you have already purchased a VHF radio, WITH-OUT a licence from ANY dealer/shop, you've broken the law and the dealer can be fined very heavily!! So, rather just write down the model number of your VHF, lets say ICOM 402 and tell ICASA you wish to purchase that model.
Now, your VHF has a RADIO LICENCE. YOU as the skipper/user of the VHF needs a OPERATORS LICENCE. Many instructors who do skippers courses also run radio operators courses. You can get the instructional reading/study material from ICASA, its relatively straight forward, but DO THE COURSE. The practical side of things will be easier to understand if you do the course.
After you've done the course, you then book an exam at ICASA. (course instructor normally books the exam) You write a exam, which comprises of you listening to a recorded message and documenting what the voice is saying, and some short and long questions. Once they've marked you answers (while you wait there), and have passed (its really VERY easy!!), you will now move on to the PRACTICAL test, which involves working and sending a mayday on both VHF and SSB radios. DONE. The examiners at ICASA are really friendly and helpfull and its actually very easy.
I can refer you to a VERY good instructor, who does skippers courses and almost ANY other course you can think of!! He is VERY knowledgable and offers many courses for the commercial sector. Contact Patrick 083 307 5204, tell him i refered you.
Standard operation:
Channel 16 is your emergency channel. Should you ever need to send out a distres signal (MAYDAY), you must use channel 16. Most radio's have a dedictated button that you press that'll take you to channel 16.
Channel 71 is the one used by most recreationals for general fishing chatter.
Channel 69 is used if you want to chat longer to some-one, but don't want to hog Channel 71. Procedure is to call the person on 71, then ask them to go to 69.
General rules:
- NO SWEARING or foul language. This is agianst the law and you can get fined heavily.
- Don't HOG channel 71 with crap talking. Rather use 69 for prolonged talk.
- Talk slowly and clearly
- Be courteous to other users. If you hear somebody on the VHF, don't try and transmit whilst he is still speaking.
Setting your radio up:
- once you radio is installed, switch it on.
- using the up or down buttons, scroll to channel 71
- the radio will be making a screeching/crackling noise
- turn the SQWELCH slowly until the screeching/cracking goes away. LEAVE it like this.
- on the water, do a radio check, just to see if everything is working fine. Call up PENGUIN (cape point) if you're in False Bay, or SCARBOROUGH if you're in Houtbay. Use: PENGUIN, PENGUIN, PENGUIN, this is YOUR BOATS NAME, YOUR BOATS NAME,YOUR BOATS NAME, over. When the station responds, simply reply that you want to do a radio check and they'll tell you how well they recieve you and you can hear on your side how well you recieve them. If you are in a area where you know nobody simply call "ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS".
- worth noting, the HIGHER your aerial is mounted the BETTER your radio will perform.
- if you are running great distances get a PACIFIC aerial, if you don't already have one. They give GREAT performance for their price!!
Regards
miles
hi miles
this might be a silly question but why is there such a hectic procedure for just using a radio? i mean thats quite a lot of effort for something that most people dont use very regularly. what happens if you get caught without a radio license? is it a big deal with the inspectors?
looks like ill be booking my radio license.
thanks
this might be a silly question but why is there such a hectic procedure for just using a radio? i mean thats quite a lot of effort for something that most people dont use very regularly. what happens if you get caught without a radio license? is it a big deal with the inspectors?
looks like ill be booking my radio license.
thanks
benniejordaan
Sealiner
Just go write your VHF license with SAMSA. They will give you everything because you need to know it to pass the exam. The "book" they hand you is very simplified and easy to understand.
Denver Kirsten
New member
Trust you miles – the one to come out of the gates first – not the first time, I think you have been the quickest draw to a few of my questions – appreciate it a great deal!
Absolutely mounted and definitely +25w – interesting procedure considering I bought it out of the box and no one blinked an eye?
Considering the lengthy reply and the detailed approach to your answer – why don’t I forget the procedure and just tell the authorities …â€miles saidâ€â€¦joking.
Appreciate the crossing the “T’s†and the dotting the “I’s) approach - will get the process going.
Sending you a pm later.
Absolutely mounted and definitely +25w – interesting procedure considering I bought it out of the box and no one blinked an eye?
Considering the lengthy reply and the detailed approach to your answer – why don’t I forget the procedure and just tell the authorities …â€miles saidâ€â€¦joking.
Appreciate the crossing the “T’s†and the dotting the “I’s) approach - will get the process going.
Sending you a pm later.
Hiya
ARGH!!! Completely forgot about the call-sign!!
This number MUST be displayed on your vessel. It has to be a certain size too!! Most guys just make it the same size as their "DTC1234B" and stick it somewhere VISIBLE. The easiest place to stick your "ZR1234" number would be very close to your 'DTC" number.
When calling another vessel, we use the other vessel's name. Its FAR easier to remember your friends vessels names than try and remember ten or twenty or thirty different ZRxxxx numbers!! Makes for simplified comunication.
When you pay ICASA, they will either give you a receipt OR stamp the back of your deposit slip. This is your proof of payment UNTIL your paper licence arrives, which will take a while! (my last one took 4-5months to arrive!!) So, YOU WILL RECIEVE a paper licence. When it expires, they will mail you your new account, which is less than R50,00 per annum and your new licence will then be posted to you fairly quickly (normally less than a month). I laminate mine and keep it in the boats safety container, together with a certified copy of my Radio Operators licence. That way, they don't get lost. I do the same with my skippers ticket, SAMSA safety certificate and any other relevant documents. As your safety container is ALWAYS onboard, you'll never forget your documents again! If you have a fire-arm licence, make a certified copy of that too and keep it in your safety container!! I was once asked to return to shore and go and get my fire-arm licence from my vehicle to satisfy the SAPS waterwing. Not fun when they escourt you back from the POINT and the fish is running.....
ARGH!!! Completely forgot about the call-sign!!
This number MUST be displayed on your vessel. It has to be a certain size too!! Most guys just make it the same size as their "DTC1234B" and stick it somewhere VISIBLE. The easiest place to stick your "ZR1234" number would be very close to your 'DTC" number.
When calling another vessel, we use the other vessel's name. Its FAR easier to remember your friends vessels names than try and remember ten or twenty or thirty different ZRxxxx numbers!! Makes for simplified comunication.
When you pay ICASA, they will either give you a receipt OR stamp the back of your deposit slip. This is your proof of payment UNTIL your paper licence arrives, which will take a while! (my last one took 4-5months to arrive!!) So, YOU WILL RECIEVE a paper licence. When it expires, they will mail you your new account, which is less than R50,00 per annum and your new licence will then be posted to you fairly quickly (normally less than a month). I laminate mine and keep it in the boats safety container, together with a certified copy of my Radio Operators licence. That way, they don't get lost. I do the same with my skippers ticket, SAMSA safety certificate and any other relevant documents. As your safety container is ALWAYS onboard, you'll never forget your documents again! If you have a fire-arm licence, make a certified copy of that too and keep it in your safety container!! I was once asked to return to shore and go and get my fire-arm licence from my vehicle to satisfy the SAPS waterwing. Not fun when they escourt you back from the POINT and the fish is running.....
saltydonut
New member
Hi
Please can somebody assist?
I want to get a vhf hand held for 1 nautical see mile
I have been told it has to be DSC.
Do I need a licence?
Please can somebody assist?
I want to get a vhf hand held for 1 nautical see mile
I have been told it has to be DSC.
Do I need a licence?
saltydonut wrote:
yes you do need a operator certificate/ licence
and you need to have a licence to be in possession of such a radio
Hi
Please can somebody assist?
I want to get a vhf hand held for 1 nautical see mile
I have been told it has to be DSC.
Do I need a licence?
yes you do need a operator certificate/ licence
and you need to have a licence to be in possession of such a radio
Busy having the same discussions...
Handhelds are below 5watt rating and therefore some say you do not need a Operators licence.
But....
It appears that with the DSC the operators licence is going to become the norm irrespective of the output.
Last time I checked, a Cat E rating (1nm) did not require a radio.
Handhelds are below 5watt rating and therefore some say you do not need a Operators licence.
But....
It appears that with the DSC the operators licence is going to become the norm irrespective of the output.
Last time I checked, a Cat E rating (1nm) did not require a radio.