VHF Licence - Online or day course?

[Rapson]

Having just aquired a new VHF I am now looking to ge tthe required licence.

Just looking for some feed back from the online courses that are offered, ABC are one. Are they any good or should I be going along to a day course such as the one Vic Point VMR offer.

Attending the day long course would be good but time and money (or lack of) has me leaning towards the online course.

[wilcara]

My understanding is that if you do the online course you still have to front up to do a physical exam.

[walruss]

Rapson here is the link.

http://www.vhfradioonline.com/

Russ

[stew60]

I did the one day course in Brisbane and found it great just do a short test at the end of the day and wait for the license to turn up in the mail

[Micadogs]

Hi Rapson, I did the ABC online course. The material is easy to read and prepares you adequately for the exam. When doing the exam, you have to book an approved invigalator whihc can also take some time to set up. Even though I did the online course and passed, I would recommend the face to face class. You at least get to pick up and use a radio, this gives you confidence when using for the first few times. Time invested is approx the same, just all in one day. You still need to study, book and inviglator and do thes test with teh online course anyways. Regards Adam

[Marlin_Mike]

You dont need to do any course. Just get the radio operators book, study it then sit the exam with an invigilator. You can search for an invigilator near you here

http://www.amc.edu.au/omc

Just click on invigilator search down left hand side.

Mike

[Steeler]

Radio License's just another form of revenue raising.

Steve

[White Pointer]

Having just aquired a new VHF I am now looking to ge tthe required licence.

Just looking for some feed back from the online courses that are offered, ABC are one. Are they any good or should I be going along to a day course such as the one Vic Point VMR offer.

Attending the day long course would be good but time and money (or lack of) has me leaning towards the online course.

G'day,

Do the course at Vic Pt VMR. If you are on the northside, contact Scarborough Coast Guard.

The first thing you will learn is that it's not a license. It's a Marine Operator's VHF Certificate of Proficiency. It might seem pedantic but you will learn at the course that while a license allows you to do something, you may not be proficient.

You will also learn a lot more about capabilities of VHF, how it should be mounted and maintained and limitations in your local area. You will see the radio room and gain an appreciation of just what goes on keeping communications open and keeping us safe.

Regards,

White Pointer

[LostNearBribie]

The next radio course at Bribie VMR is two days.
I expect to be able to tear a radio apart and put it back together after two days.
Be happy to learn how to use it though!

[Axl]

For those in the area I believe that the Manly Coast Gaurd are going to start doing these courses.

[Marlin_Mike]

VMR Raby Bay run them on the last Sunday of each month


Mike

[Crunchy]

Personal choice, I did the online ABC course and found it particualry good, for me it is much preferable than spending one or two days in a classroom...yes a day course would make you more confident and proficient but that comes with use anyway

[QF3 MROCP]

You dont need to do any course. Just get the radio operators book, study it then sit the exam with an invigilator. You can search for an invigilator near you here

http://www.amc.edu.au/omc

Just click oninvigilator (http://www.vhfradiocourse.com/Related_Links.html#Invigilator_Search) search down left hand side.

Mike

Raptor:

If you want to purchase the book and exam questions and answers (http://www.vhfradiocourse.com/VHF_Radio_Course_MROVCP.html#handbook) have a look at what I have created:

www.vhfradiocourse.com (http://www.vhfradiocourse.com)

The site will give all the info to relieve you of any concerns in doing the exam.

Having trained people face to face, I recommend you do the day course - when you add up the online costs and exam fees, there's not much diiference between the two and YES, you should be doing a practical. The face to face generally includes a handbook to keep as well - something more than the online course offers..

If it's done at a VMR or Coast Guard, your proceeds go towards helping the running costs of the rescue boats provided as a volunteer service when you get into deep s...t!

Have a look at www.vhfradiocourse.com (http://www.vhfradiocourse.com) and purchase a handbook (http://www.vhfradiocourse.com/VHF_Radio_Course_MROVCP.html#handbook).

Otherwise the next radio course at Redcliffe is April 11th - February course is sold out by popular demand!!

Peter QF3

www.vhfradiocourse.com (http://www.vhfradiocourse.com)

[QF3 MROCP]

My understanding is that if you do the online course you still have to front up to do a physical exam.

You still have to do a 25 question multiple answer exam paper - generally takes about 20 minutes plus 15 minutes for the govt application form for the CERTIFICATE!!

Remember - you also need a passport size photo, another few more $$'s

[RJ5023]

You still have to do a 25 question multiple answer exam paper - generally takes about 20 minutes plus 15 minutes for the govt application form for the CERTIFICATE!!

Remember - you also need a passport size photo, another few more $$'s

You can print the appropriate sized photo on your computer printer at home to save a few $$$. Take your mug shot with a digital camera and set the print size.

Cheers,

[QF3 MROCP]

You can print the appropriate sized photo on your computer printer at home to save a few $$$. Take your mug shot with a digital camera and set the print size.

Cheers,

The last I knew, Invigilators were told by the AMC to follow these guidelines:


Candidate photo
Staff have noticed just lately that quite a few photos have been printed on just normal printing paper.
Unfortunately once these are scanned they come out all speckled and the person’s eyes look a bit odd.
Changing the pixel setting helps a little but not enough to make the photos clear.
Please send only photos that are clear and well defined with a neutral (not white) background.
We do accept photos either via email from the invigilator (amcom.amc.edu.au) or on disc, provided they are .JPEG files.


Also we have a general rule:
‘For every application there should be a photo’.
http://www.amc.edu.au/system/files/021.Summer.2008.pdf


Thanks RJ for the tip - suggest using glossy photo paper

[Scott Mitchell]

I recently did the day coarse at the Hervey Bay VMR66 - only cost $20- for VHF hand book & $58- for license - no charge for the tuition for VMR members ;) .

It was an informative day & we just sat the short questionnaire at end - all questions where multiple choice & my license arrived in the mail the following week.

I believe you will end up paying more via a training provider like ABC etc

Regards Scotto

[QF3 MROCP]

I recently did the day coarse at the Hervey Bay VMR66 - only cost $20- for VHF hand book & $58- for license - no charge for the tuition for VMR members ;) .

It was an informative day & we just sat the short questionnaire at end - all questions where multiple choice & my licence arrived in the mail teh following week.

I believe you will end up paying more via a training provider like ABC etc

Regards Scotto


and did you feel as though you got a good practical education or was it just like a tick-in-the-box, pay your money and out the door?

I would expect VMR66 are in the first category - a highly proffessional face to face trainer..

It's good they can offer a value priced course.. Must have great membership support your way..

www.vhfradiocourse.com (http://www.vhfradiocourse.com)
(a cheaper way if face to face is not available) (http://www.vhfradiocourse.com)

Peter

[Spin]

Well im doing mine over a 3 week 2 Hour a night course, (one night per week)
I have done the first night with 2 VMR people (Invigilators)
And will get a tour around the VMR radios and building ect.
With them.

It cost me $25 for the book and course.
+ whatever it cost for the certificate at the end.
Good friendly people as well.

[Mrs Ronnie H]

The next radio course at Bribie VMR is two days.
I expect to be able to tear a radio apart and put it back together after two days.
Be happy to learn how to use it though!


Hi
Did you mean it in two days time or is two days long. ??
I need to do a course so who is best to ring over there.

Ronnie

[QF3 MROCP]

Hi
Did you mean it in two days time or is two days long. ??
I need to do a course so who is best to ring over there.

Ronnie

3203 5522 CG Redcliffe do a great as well! If I do say so myself.... One day 0800 -1600hrs April 11th the next one

[Scott Mitchell]

and did you feel as though you got a good practical education or was it just like a tick-in-the-box, pay your money and out the door?

I would expect VMR66 are in the first category - a highly proffessional face to face trainer..

It's good they can offer a value priced course.. Must have great membership support your way..

www.vhfradiocourse.com (http://www.vhfradiocourse.com)
(a cheaper way if face to face is not available) (http://www.vhfradiocourse.com)

Peter

I passed the test & have the license ;)

I am not sure why you wouldn't join your local VMR if that is who you call every time you go out ?

Hervey Bay VMR 466 has a great crew & I am happy to support them - Scotto