Triple G Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 44 minutes ago, Welster said: They accept radio calls regardless if you have a licence. Be aware if you call on the radio for the first time they will most likely ask you boat details. So it pays to have your rego number written down so you don't have to hang over the side trying to read it upside down. I'd say for starters it's easier to phone them and have a quick chat or log in using the marine rescue app. That way most of the questions will be covered. It's easiest to have a boat name too. Find out your local marine rescue. When on the water get onto channel 16. Listen to other calls. When you want to call, check it's clear and push the button saying marine rescue XYZ ( Solander Sydney or whatever) , marine rescue XYZ , marine Rescue XYZ followed by this is "boat name" requesting a radio check over. They will reply and probably move you up to a working channel. Exactly right from my recent radio check experience, they will also request other info such as trailer, car rego and address etc, etc, so be prepared for the questioning as it can take up some valuable fishing time once you are on the water. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 2 hours ago, Triple G said: Exactly right from my recent radio check experience, they will also request other info such as trailer, car rego and address etc, etc, so be prepared for the questioning as it can take up some valuable fishing time once you are on the water. Yes, however, once you have registered with your local MR base, they have your info on file. I just log in via the MR app on my phone and do a radio check when I feel like it. My radio stays on all the time. It gives me peace of mind. I’m still waiting for my local MR to run the VHF proficiency course (always seems to be on weekends I work), so I’m not “licensed” as such but the authorities are focussing on getting people to use their radios properly, rather than fining them for not being “licensed”. It’s not that hard.,. know the correct protocols, know the phonetic alphabet, be polite, speak clearly... be safe. 😉 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blade Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 All great input thanks everyone, as someone who has recently got my boating license and is trying to follow all the safety rules my opinion is that the boat license needs to be revisited so that it covers things like: Radio usage Bar crossings etc. Being new to the country and new to boating makes it difficult to figure these things out on your own, in an ideal world I would have an experienced boater to show me the ropes and learn like that, at the moment I am watching as much you tube as possible and going step by step out on the water never taking on more than I feel comfortable with and always putting safety first. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 If anyone is carrying an older type epirb it would be better to update. The new type transmit your lat. and long position and cuts a considerable amount of time off finding you . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, JimC said: If anyone is carrying an older type epirb it would be better to update. The new type transmit your lat. and long position and cuts a considerable amount of time off finding you . Older type??? What exactly does that mean? Jim. you need to be a bit more specific mate! Fyi all- Old single 121.5 MHz VHF frequency transmitters are redundant & have been replace by units that transmit in both 406 MHz UHF & 121.5MHz VHF. The 121.5MHz VHF signal is used to locate you position by aircraft while the 406MHz UHF signal is picked up by satellite. Everyone who goes further than 2 nautical miles must have a 406MHz unit. The 2 types of 406MHz units available are GPS enabled & non GPS enabled. GPS enabled is preferable as its accuracy will locate your beacon down to around 100mtrs where as the non GPS version could only be accurate to a 5km radius. So if you value you & your passengers lives its better you spend the extra $50 on the GPS enabled version. https://beacons.amsa.gov.au/about/beacon-types.asp#1215-MHz-beacons-no-longer-detected-by-satellite Edited June 24, 2020 by kingie chaser 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 The older type of EPIRB, whilst sending a distress signal did not accurately pinpoint your position. The rescue vessel would be directed to your general vicinity and then would have to start a search pattern. The new type indicates your exact location. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Researching further. The non gps epirbs can take from 90 minutes to 5 hours to be detected and then within a 5 km range. the new gps type can be detected within 20 minutes to an accuracy of 120 meters. The difference in time is because of the frequencies used and the availability of satellites 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campr Posted June 26, 2020 Share Posted June 26, 2020 I used to have my boat rego No on a DYMO label next to radio in my previous boat. Will have to do same for this one as I can never remember details if asked. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 I use the kti epirb's and plb, both of which outperform other brands in terms of battery life and most other features. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 (edited) For those who are looking at getting their licence I found these free radio operators handbooks online to study. I have seen these for sale online for $70. The only thing is these are not downloadable but is a great iewing version for PC https://www.amc.edu.au/industry/omc/handbooks-and-revision-questions/marine-vhf-radio-operators-handbook-for-viewing-only https://www.amc.edu.au/industry/omc/handbooks-and-revision-questions/marine-radio-operators-handbook-for-viewing-only However I did also find these slightly older PDF versions which you can print- Could be slightly different to the online versions above!! This one is the- MARINE RADIO OPERATORS HANDBOOK http://www.marineradiolicence.com.au/MR/marineradiohandbook2017.pdf This one is the- MARINE VHF RADIO OPERATORS HANDBOOK, its missing the from page thouugh. http://marineradiolicence.com.au/MR/VHF Radio Handbook.pdf Enjoy & good luck. Edited July 13, 2020 by kingie chaser 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple G Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 On 7/14/2020 at 9:52 AM, kingie chaser said: For those who are looking at getting their licence I found these free radio operators handbooks online to study. I have seen these for sale online for $70. The only thing is these are not downloadable but is a great iewing version for PC https://www.amc.edu.au/industry/omc/handbooks-and-revision-questions/marine-vhf-radio-operators-handbook-for-viewing-only https://www.amc.edu.au/industry/omc/handbooks-and-revision-questions/marine-radio-operators-handbook-for-viewing-only However I did also find these slightly older PDF versions which you can print- Could be slightly different to the online versions above!! This one is the- MARINE RADIO OPERATORS HANDBOOK http://www.marineradiolicence.com.au/MR/marineradiohandbook2017.pdf This one is the- MARINE VHF RADIO OPERATORS HANDBOOK, its missing the from page thouugh. http://marineradiolicence.com.au/MR/VHF Radio Handbook.pdf Enjoy & good luck. Very good reading material, especially for peeps who haven’t or never used their marine radio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple G Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 My view is licensed or unlicensed, if in trouble out at sea, most skippers/boaters would attempt to use the radio to call for assistance. I know I will if the time permitted as every scenario for assistance would be different. However that said there may also be boaters and crews out there from non English speaking backgrounds, who may never attempt to make a call to marine rescue. Hopefully with a backup plan in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmck Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 (edited) 20 hours ago, Triple G said: My view is licensed or unlicensed, if in trouble out at sea, most skippers/boaters would attempt to use the radio to call for assistance. I know I will if the time permitted as every scenario for assistance would be different. However that said there may also be boaters and crews out there from non English speaking backgrounds, who may never attempt to make a call to marine rescue. Hopefully with a backup plan in place. In an emergency, an unlicensed person is permitted to use the radio to call for assistance. It's in the regulations. The BIG advantage of the license is that it teaches you the correct way to use a radio. In an emergency you will not (should not) make errors that make it difficult to understand you or find you or organise the correct assistance. Edited July 16, 2020 by dmck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now