RYA VHF Marine Radio
Short Range Certificate
1-day Classroom Course
To use a fixed or handheld VHF marine band radio it is a legal requirement to have completed the radio course and passed the short practical assessment. Your operator's licence is then valid for life.
Your course pack includes the RYA's "VHF Radio Handbook". The final qualifying exam will be held on the same day. Please note, there is a separate exam & certification fee of £60 payable to the RYA.
If you hold a pre-1999 license you need to update to the new VHF Short Range Certificate. There have been many significant changes since then. Contact us if you have any questions.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to book
COVID 19 Update: Classroom VHF radio courses are not possible at the moment. You can do the online course and attend the practical exam on a 1:1 basis. This will be conducted in the open air and socially distanced.
In a hurry? You can do the radio course online
There are two steps to gaining your VHF radio operator's licence.
Step 1. Study the course content: either Online or on a 1-day classroom course
Step 2. Complete the practical assessment, in person, at a training centre.
Pre-course Study
The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) requires candidates to do 3 hours pre-course study before attending the classroom course. You'll receive your course pack by post once payment is confirmed. You'll also have access to our free quiz & top tips for the practical exam.
Final Exam
This takes place at the end of the day's tuition. There's a multiple choice question paper and a short practical assessment, which involves making different kinds of DSC calls.
TOP TIP - Familiarise yourself with the menu structure of our ICOM Radio
Like mobile phones, VHF radios differ from one another. But they're not as intuitive to use as phones. So it's worth a few minutes to memorise the steps through the Icom radio's menu to send the main types of DSC alerts before you arrive for your practical assessment!
Sending a Routine Announcement by DSC
Manually enter another boat's MMSI number
Manually entering a position - (It's much easier to have your radio permanently connected to GPS!)
VHF Radio Update - Recent changes to the VHF Radio course
FAQs:
| Date | Time | Places Left |
|
Saturday 29th February, Morecambe |
9.30 | FULL |
|
Saturday 14th March |
9.30 | FULL |
|
Sunday 15th March, Maryport Marina |
9.30 | 6 |
| Saturday 18th April, Morecambe | 9.30 | cancelled |
| Saturday 18th July, Morecambe | 9.30 | online course only |
Click here for course joining instructions
"I'd like to thank Deirdre for putting me at ease during the exam yesterday... She helped allay my unnecessary nervousness." - Ian
"Taught in your usual calm, quiet fashion. It is only on reflection that I appreciate how much I learnt during that one day course." - Stephen
"The ability to practise with a live radio set. John's engaging way of teaching. Informal & interactive nature of course great - John made the subject interesting!"
"Course content & pace were excellent, John explained everything clearly & clarified any queries. An enjoyable day. I feel more confident because of the practical radio use."
"Informal & Friendly. The best bit was passing the final assessment!"
"Mr. John Parlane is the complete professional in ability & knowledge, teaching style second to none!"