RYA VHF Radio Courses

RYA VHF Radio courses which teach the entire VHF Radio operations to sailors are available and participants who complete this course acquire knowledge about the basics of VHF radio, its functionality and the frequencies/ channels to be used during emergency times. They also learn emergency procedures and techniques to follow for getting medical assistance. The RYA VHF Radio course helps those interested in sailing to learn the Dos and Don’ts of VHF radio operations.

The boating and sailing lovers in England seek to learn VHF Radio basics by attending the RYA VHF Radio courses. This is because, even in a case where they are faced with any emergency or disaster while sailing in waters far away from shore, they will not be helpless but still be able to summon help quickly. The special feature of VHF radio is its powerful coverage – sailors will be able to contact coastguards instantaneously, who are at a distance of 50 miles or more and touch base with other yachts in a 15 to 20 mile radius on open waters. Also, a valid VHF/ DSC radio certificate is a prerequisite for Coastal Skipper, Yacht Master and Advanced Powerboat certificates. The SRC (Short Range Certificate courses) for the RYA VHF Radio programs are in general done as day long courses and cover the required syllabus on the same day.

Students are provided with access to real/ simulated equipment so that they gain the necessary practical knowledge. Some institutions that conduct this course provide study material online. This is to help students to gain some knowledge beforehand so that it is easier sitting for the course and taking the end- of -course certificate test. Typically, course fee comes to around hundred Pounds and this includes any pre-course eLearning.Online lessons usually cover all the relevant topics that are to be handled during the physical interactive course.

The lessons are accompanied by several visual and audio examples that show students how VHF DSC radios are operated. Multiple choice question/ answers are given at the conclusion of every topic; students can take these tests and become better prepared for the SRC VHF Radio course.

Every student should be well versed with identifying and handling Distress scenarios, Urgent conditions, Safety Situations and Regular Communication; they will be thoroughly tested on all these topics before receiving the SRC. Each of them should be able to define a distress/ urgency situation and should know how and when to send a DSC distress/ urgency alert message with details like their precise position and time, both manually and automatically. Besides these, they should be in a position to give forth a Mayday call, a message by voice or a Pan call and be competent enough to respond to distress/ urgency alerts from others. They should also know to communicate routine messages and have working knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet. After course ends, students are given a multiple choice formatted test. Those who clear the test are awarded certificates. The written test covers portions that were not included in the practical assessment.