Update on my VHF
Found out that even though i did the radio course at CoastGuard, about 10 years ago (VHF/HF everything, incl manual), but no certification ever came through. Visited the CG base this year and there was no record of my course or even ever being a CG member, it must've been in the paper filingcabinet and pen days and everything got thrown out when they changed to computers.
Luckily the authorities are not too heavy on inadvertent owners of old VHF units! I've been only a minimalist operator, a listening watch on ch16 guy, and never got in need of assistance (it's ok for uncertified radio operators to distress call, without fines).
Decided it's finally about time to get a "VHF licence". It's now called a "SROCP"(Acronym for - Short Range Operators Certificate of Proficiency)
So visited a small local Navigation company last month, did a home-study/online VHF course (can take your time, online self-test a good learning method, did self-test a 5 times at home, while refering to VHF manual to brush up/correct wrong answers). There's no time pressure with home study, even an old guy can go at a slow unstressed pace, so i took 2 weeks part-time to study up.
Once prepared, sat the VHF exam at the nav co's office/they are accredited facilitators (invigilators
). The exam is done online (AMC - Australian Maritime College) They tell you your score immediately
passed the 25 question multiple choice test . Then there is a short practical test with a DSC VHF radio.
Took a photo, filled in a paper form, and hopefully a plastic card saying SROCP like a drivers licence with photo arrives in the mail soon. It's a bit of a process to get, but allot is learnt. Besides radio talk procedures, it covers repeaters, channels to use or avoid, phonetic alphabet, EPIRB's, SART's and even AIS (the later 2 way up the ladder, into larger yachts or commercial ships). The ticket is lifelong with no renewal like a drivers licence. It cost me $30 for the manual and $125 for the course/exam and facilitator/examiner.
The good thing about VHF's are repeater towers extending the range. They are all along the coast and located on hilltops, sometime on offshore islands etc. The higher the antenna the further the range. The repeater on Ch22 at Townsville has 63 mile range (100km) !! right out to the barrier reefs. The max range is about 5-10 miles boat to boat. More to a "Limited Coast Station" (eg Coast guard shore base - for non-commercial craft safety and movement monitoring) with a 12m antenna tower. It's also has a powerful signal strength if needed. Normally 1 watt but can switch to 25W if at max range or in distress message.
VHF is good for coastal cruisers who might go 2-30 nautical miles offshore (past the EPIRB maps semi-protected waters limits) or into remote locations