Ship Simulator

English forum => Small talk => Topic started by: Agent|Austin on August 25, 2007, 23:06:28

Title: VHF Radios
Post by: Agent|Austin on August 25, 2007, 23:06:28
I am thinking of buying a VHF radio just for show to put in my room and pretend to communicate with it while playing SS  ;D

The one I was looking at was this one: http://www.joessports.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2150444&cp&pageDisplay=none&pageType=search&keywords=VHF&int_nextBucket=0&totalProductsCount=25&searchId=18297457143&doVSearch=no&doVSearch=no&pageCount=3&pageBucket=0&pageNum=1&int_prevBucket=-1&page=2&page_bucket=0&showSizeSearch=false&hasPagination=false&parentPage=search

I was in there store today.

I didn't feel like spending much more then that for a fancy VHF...

Is it ok? I don't care about the specifications of operation...
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Captain Spencer on August 25, 2007, 23:10:26
Personally I think that's a lot of money to just 'pretend' but each to their own I guess.
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Agent|Austin on August 25, 2007, 23:23:04
I bought a $200 C.B. radio that I just pretend...

I have a few other wastes of money too though.
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Captain Spencer on August 26, 2007, 01:38:26
I bought a $200 C.B. radio that I just pretend...

I have a few other wastes of money too though.

You must have a lot of money then!! I've just had to pay more than £150 for my hosting account. I can't afford to buy things like that lol

If you've got some spare cash let me know  ;) :D
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Agent|Austin on August 26, 2007, 03:38:03
I do live in a 3 story mansion...

I just had a birthday also so I have some extra cash.

My friend Chris Hunt bought my website for me...
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Captain Spencer on August 26, 2007, 03:51:11
I do live in a 3 story mansion...

I just had a birthday also so I have some extra cash.

My friend Chris Hunt bought my website for me...

It's dead easy to create your own  ;)

At the moment I'm building a website where the client can update the website themselves. Makes it even easier to have a website of your own  ;D
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Agent|Austin on August 26, 2007, 04:41:02
I made mine. He just bought the domain.

Your making a wiki kind of site...
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Captain Spencer on August 26, 2007, 04:58:46
I made mine. He just bought the domain.

Your making a wiki kind of site...

Ahhh I see  ;)

and yes, I suppose it's like a wiki site, although I call it a CMS (Content Management System)
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Agent|Austin on August 26, 2007, 05:10:34
Cool!
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2007, 08:52:44
Why would you do that?

This is the most stupid idea I ever red on the forum!

Just to pretend?

well, it is your money.
But it would be a waste of money!

B.t.w, you even aren't aloud to handle a real one if you don't have a certificat.
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Gertjan on August 27, 2007, 10:19:25
Why would you do that?

This is the most stupid idea I ever red on the forum!

Just to pretend?

well, it is your money.
But it would be a waste of money!

B.t.w, you even aren't aloud to handle a real one if you don't have a certificat.


As far as I know you dont need a broadcating certificate anymore, everyone can buy a nautical VHF radio nowadays and use it, they did this top promote the use of it for safety reasons cause every nut with a speedboat who goes to open seas only bring their gsm phone. and that has limited range. Btw those VHF radio's dont include ATIS.

And Agent|Austin, If you just want to play pretend why not buy a defective one?
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: sadsid († 2016) on August 27, 2007, 10:28:32
Sometime's its hard to remember there are children on this forum ;)
OH those were the day's  ::)  :)
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: simplayer on August 27, 2007, 11:02:41
Hey Gertjan,

in Belgium it's a very stange law about the use of a Vhf.
Some channels are free to use without a certificate, i mean you can monitor but may not intercommunicate although i know for shore that for Maritime channels you need a certificate, because thats one of the first things the maritime police asks when they check your documents.
In Holland en Great Brittain it's somewhat more complicated, you have the right to own a Vhf but you may not use it (I don't quiet understand it either)
Concerning the ATIS, there are portable posts that have the ATIS module build in, on the other hand this radio has to be registered because each time you make a qso, you send your own individual information with the ATIS module, and landstations and some vessels can locate you by radar if they have an RDF installed (Range Direction Finder)

Regards...
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: muns on August 27, 2007, 11:58:57
In the UK you need a Marine VHF radio opperators license to use one (there are circumstances when you dont tho).  You also need a license for the vessel that it is going to be used on.

The Opperators license ensures that you know how to use it correctly (especially for mayday & pan pan calls).
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Gertjan on August 27, 2007, 12:37:58
You used to had a permit to use a VHF radio but from 2008 you just need to register it it with the Dutch telecom authorities.

I am still unsure if you still need to take the exam for the certificate or not, can anyone clear this up?

* EDIT * Found it, could only find info in Dutch but it says you still need to take the exam!

Source: http://www.vamex.nl/certificaat_marifonie/default.asp

Quote
Sinds 1 januari 1985 is een examen verplicht gesteld ter verkrijging van het certificaat voor de bediening van een marifoon aan boord van (plezier)vaartuigen. Op een schip, voorzien van een marifoon, moet tenminste één persoon aan boord zijn die in het bezit is van zo'n bedieningscertificaat. De overige opvarenden mogen onder toezicht en de verantwoordelijkheid van de bezitter van het certificaat de marifoon bedienen.
Sinds 1 december 1991* bestaan er drie soorten bedieningscertificaten:

Het basiscertificaat marifonie
Het beperkt certificaat maritieme radiocommunicatie (Marcom-B)
Het algemeen certificaat maritieme radiocommunicatie (Marcom-A)
* De certificaten afgegeven vóór 1 december 1991 zijn nog wel van kracht.

Op deze site komt de examinering voor het basiscertificaat marifonie uitgebreid aan de orde. Het bezit van dit certificaat is voor het overgrote deel van de watersporters voldoende.

Bij het Ministerie van Economische Zaken is Agentschap Telecom aangewezen als instantie die verantwoordelijk is voor het organiseren van de examens alsmede de afgifte van bedieningscertificaten. Hoewel de examens gemaakt worden onder verantwoordelijkheid van en door Agentschap Telecom, is de feitelijke uitvoering van de organisatie en het afnemen van de examens uitbesteed aan o.a. Vaarbewijs- en Marifoonexamens c.v. Agentschap Telecom stelt de exameneisen vast, maar houdt zich niet bezig met en is niet verantwoordelijk voor het opleiden voor het examen dan wel met het opstellen van oefenstof of lesmateriaal.

MARCOM B/MODULE GMDSS-B
Bij het gebruik van een'binnenvaartmarifoon' zowel op de binnenwateren als op zee is het basiscertificaat marifonie voldoende. Voor combi-en zeevaartmarifoons en maritieme satellietinstallaties, EPIRB's en SART's is het Beperkt certificaat maritieme Radiocommunicatie (Marcom-B) vereist.

Houders van een marifooncertificaat of een basiscertificaat marifonie kunnen middels een module GMDSS-B examen in het bezit komen van het Marcom-B certificaat.[/source]
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: [RWP]DJM on August 27, 2007, 12:52:17
Sometime's its hard to remember there are children on this forum ;)
OH those were the day's  ::)  :)

I can relate to that ;)

I thought age came on slowly, but it kinda 'rushes' you after a certain point ::)

Seems like only yesterday that I was 20 lol.......15 years ago now :o
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Water Weasel on August 27, 2007, 15:30:29
OH, you youngsters! Maybe associating with you all will keep me young. I was 20 once also, but that was mmmm...almost 29 years ago.

Hey by the way, WE ALL ARE PRETENDING AREN"T WE? This is ShipSim, not ShipYesItIsARealShip!!

WW
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Marcel on August 27, 2007, 22:31:50
Why not just buy a case with buttons and display and make it a Skype-Phone ;)
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Agent|Austin on September 18, 2007, 03:29:29
It isn't VHF but since I'm not near the water. Plus this is legal and the fcc says you no longer need a license.

(http://www.bot-irc.com/forum/uploads/U20-1190082453.jpg)

I can use every channel but channel 9 this is reserved for the FCC for emergency broadcasts.

It would be nice to listen in to channel 9 though.
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: captseaton on September 18, 2007, 19:50:37
 :-\
VHF Radio Licensing in the US has gotten strange. The FCC now has privatized all classes and training to obtain a license, very similar to just outsourcing everything. They now depend on the US Coast Guard to check radiotelephone certificates. You might be better off just buying a scanner to listen in on maritime frequencies, as chatting on certain frequencies will get you in quite a bit of trouble.

If you check the wheelhouse on the Hovercraft you will notice two green Sailor VHF radios. The starboard side radio is a remote unit. I can't remember the model number but we have one on a boat, still works, we just wanted DSC. The other unit in the center dash I think is an RT-2047. You can pick these up on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SAILOR-COMPACT-VHF-MARINE-RADIO_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ31281QQihZ017QQitemZ270165982812QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ebayphotohosting

$40 bucks and you have your VHF radio.   ;D
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Eemspoort on September 18, 2007, 22:49:46
40 bucks for a Sailor??? That's a barging! Second hand Sailors are very expensive here in Holland. I have 2 Sailor RT 2048 on my ship and a Sperry Marine 2048 (same as Sailor, just another color) at home, for spare.
If i could find a 2048 for that kind of money, it's sold instantly!

Oh, and Agent Austin, like the rest said. Buy a defective or second hand one, like the sailor.
The one you refer to is more for yachts and stuff. The Sailor is a profesional VHF. :)
Not that it makes any differnce, but if you want to pretend, then get the "real deal" if you can! ;)
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: greyhill on September 18, 2007, 22:53:30
even better still, i know where my money would go, the handset does it for me, as real as it gets
 
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sailor-VHF_W0QQitemZ110170378307QQihZ001QQcategoryZ36797QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: captseaton on September 18, 2007, 23:10:41
even better still, i know where my money would go, the handset does it for me, as real as it gets
 
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sailor-VHF_W0QQitemZ110170378307QQihZ001QQcategoryZ36797QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 :o
Oh my.

That is nice :-)

We have some old RT-144s with the handset like that. The transmit button is a long rectangular button on the underside of the handset right where your fingers would grab. It actuates with a nice, positive, snick snick feeling that just can't be duplicated by "spongey", CB style, Icom microphones. You know, in the olden days, you could crank the volume all the way down on the main box and still listen comfortably through the earpiece. This way, you could carry on a semi-private conversation with someone. It also would cut down on ambient noise and enable you to really focus because it is right against your ear. Why don't other VHF manufacturers understand this?!?

When it comes to VHF radios and Ship Simulators, nobody does it like the Dutch! *shameless plug*  :D
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: greyhill on September 18, 2007, 23:53:16
i was the opposite way,  never held the handset to my ear in all my years at sea, wasnt cool to do so  :D, the reason why the handset was held away was that there was always a speaker on the console, all you needed was to speak into the mic , saw some hold the handset upside down at times  :D
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: captseaton on September 19, 2007, 04:21:03
i was the opposite way,  never held the handset to my ear in all my years at sea, wasnt cool to do so  :D, the reason why the handset was held away was that there was always a speaker on the console, all you needed was to speak into the mic , saw some hold the handset upside down at times  :D

Perfectly fine to do it that way too  :D

BTW, picture two of these on near opposite sides of the dash...

I'm giving a Sécurité call on channels 09 and 16 simultaneously. Sure, you could probably do this with other inferior VHFs almost as easily, but the Sailor handsets turned mic to mic make this so much easier. For a cool effect, when done, slide them away from you on the dash...hopefully while the passengers are watching...lol  ::)
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Janver on October 04, 2007, 19:56:09
You used to had a permit to use a VHF radio but from 2008 you just need to register it it with the Dutch telecom authorities.

I am still unsure if you still need to take the exam for the certificate or not, can anyone clear this up?

* EDIT * Found it, could only find info in Dutch but it says you still need to take the exam!

Source: http://www.vamex.nl/certificaat_marifonie/default.asp

bla bla bla

But that doesn't mean you can just use a VHF.
1. The VHF needs to be on a ship
2. The VHF needs ATIS(a callsign which will be transmitted when you press the PTT button)

There is still an other law about transmitting as a public station. I don't know exactly how that
is.

Greetings,

Jan
Title: Re: VHF Radios
Post by: Sam on October 05, 2007, 17:45:33
Not all vessels have ATIS, a lot of yachts don't have it.

But I still think it is a stupid idea to buy a VHF without doing anything usefull with it.