lew Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 (edited) I went into Peterboro yesterday morning and took the one day course put on by the Peterboro Power Squadron and then wrote the exam for my certificate to operate my VHF marine radio on the boat. I installed the radio and antenna back in the spring but this was my 1st opportunity to take the course. It's somewhat expensive at $85 and you have to give up a whole Saturday but at least now I can legally use my radio without looking over my shoulder to see whose watching me. I fish some big waters and it'll be nice to know I can now call for help if needed when the cell doesn't work, or help out another boater who needs it. Edited October 31, 2010 by lew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Morning Lew. Good on ya for getting that done. It's no fun crossing out a whole day to do it but it's necessary. Out of curiosity, is the DSC compliance included in these certificates or is it an add-on.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handlebarz Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 I wanted to do it two years in a row down here but there was not enough interest in it so they canceled it each time since then I gave up heck I got sick of the Bull on the radio down here I took it out last season to many goofs playing beer bottle openers on it and acting a fool for my liking on the radio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted October 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Yes Roy, the DSC is included. Mike, I also had to wait awhile for the course. There was one in July but I was up on Nippissing at the time. Even this one only had 8 guys taking it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Yes Roy, the DSC is included. Mike, I also had to wait awhile for the course. There was one in July but I was up on Nippissing at the time. Even this one only had 8 guys taking it. I took the course in Clinton this past summer. I went to Lake St. Clair for the first time this summer and thought it would be a good idea to have a radio of some kind. I didn't get a stationary radio yet, just a handheld for now. Quite frankly, I seldom have it on, I use it more for the weather than anything else. I did find the course interesting. The radio is a wonderful tool if used properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeontroller Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Good idea Lew! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeter Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Lew, i think you are looking at it the wrong way. If you ever need help, or rescue anyone because of the radio, will you still say it was a waste of your time or money? No need for you to answer that Lew, most every body on this board know you wouldn't even think twice about helping out anyone who needed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted October 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 will you still say it was a waste of your time or money? I never said it was a waste of money, infact I was quite happy to pay for it. Jeeeeez, I've got musky baits worth more than $85 Nothing is expensive if it keeps ya safer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 (edited) Lew, i think you are looking at it the wrong way. If you ever need help, or rescue anyone because of the radio, will you still say it was a waste of your time or money? did Lew say that I was thinking of getting mine too LOL...Lew beat me to it, guess hes a faster at typing then me Edited October 31, 2010 by Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnsled Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 (edited) Good going Lew. I grabbed mine a couple of years ago but it was a 2 day course. Then an evening to do the test, I guess they have condensed it. Better to be safe the face the fines that go with not having the certificate. Edited October 31, 2010 by fishnsled Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeter Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 my apologies Lew i read it wrong. I'm blaming that on my glasses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted October 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Don't apologize skeeter, I blame alot of stuff on MY glasses too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom McCutcheon Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Don't apologize skeeter, I blame alot of stuff on MY glasses too Never thought of that... it was always the dog who caught the blame. I have had my certificate since the late 80's. Only really needed it once but sure glad I had the radio and the knowledge of how to use it properly at the time. Most of the time it was just used to communicate with other boats during the hay days of the salmon derby. Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 I find it funny we are asked to pay a fee for something that might save our life or others. Dont get me wrong here Lew,good on ya,but come on. Boater sees another in trouble and couldnt afford to take the course to call MAYDAY,MAYDAY. IMO it should be a given to all "NO CHARGE" just take the course for FREE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplumma Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Down here in the USA you do not need a license for a VHF radio if you are a recreational boat less than 65 ft. We reserve channel 16 for hailing and for maydays only and are severely chastised if you use it for anything else. If you have the radio on it is to be tuned to channel 16 unless you are in conversation with another party. We use channel 68 mostly here for the fishing reports when our group is on the water and for the most part common sense seems to be the rule of the day. I would say though licensed or not if you need to call for help the last thing you will care about is whether or not you will get a ticket for making the call. For the price of the radio it is a great comfort to have it on board if and when you need it. Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted October 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 I find it funny we are asked to pay a fee for something that might save our life or others. Dont get me wrong here Lew,good on ya,but come on. Boater sees another in trouble and couldnt afford to take the course to call MAYDAY,MAYDAY. IMO it should be a given to all "NO CHARGE" just take the course for FREE. I agree with you 100 % Brian but sadly, I don't make the rules and your right, it does seem odd that you have to pay $$$$ in order to help others. I know lotsa fellers use them that aren't certified but I figured I'd rather pay the fee and just be done with it then there's nuthin to be worried about whenever I'm stopped by the coppers. Funny thing is, I used radio's everyday for 30 odd years when I was working and never needed a license for them. Basically the same thing cept your talking about different stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outllaw Posted November 1, 2010 Report Share Posted November 1, 2010 I agree with you 100 % Brian but sadly, I don't make the rules and your right, it does seem odd that you have to pay $$$$ in order to help others. I know lotsa fellers use them that aren't certified but I figured I'd rather pay the fee and just be done with it then there's nuthin to be worried about whenever I'm stopped by the coppers. Funny thing is, I used radio's everyday for 30 odd years when I was working and never needed a license for them. Basically the same thing cept your talking about different stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outllaw Posted November 1, 2010 Report Share Posted November 1, 2010 (edited) years back when i was chartering, we needed a station licence at 36 dollars yearly. the vhf course was free at the time. vhf in the right hands is a very valuable tool on big waters.. there are abuses ob st clair. one guy feels he has his as a chat line. i once asked him if he had 2 radios,,,so he could hear himself talk. Edited November 1, 2010 by outlaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted November 1, 2010 Report Share Posted November 1, 2010 LOL Outlaw. I rememember hearing this guy called capasano on L.Ont. Capasano capasano.LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbc Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 does anyone know off hand if you restricted avaiation radio operators licence covers you for a vhf in a boat aswell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 No it doesn't kbc... but I'll argue it in court. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 yeah my ham radio license doesn't cover marine either I can build my own radio and linear had to learn morse code but can I say pan pan pan,...nooooooooooooooooo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbc Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 No it doesn't kbc... but I'll argue it in court. thanks, i think i'll do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuck Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 I'd rather hear PanPan than Mayday mayday any day of the week. Good for you Lew!! I think that when I grow up and get a bigger boat, I will have a radio mounted in it. For the time being, with the places I boat and fish, there is always cell coverage and my handheld marine radio is sufficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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