Have been using son in laws tinny to potter around in for last couple of years and mentioned that I was going to look at a Sonata 8 about an hour away by boat and might take the tinny .
He said sure then as an after thought said " make sure you have your licence just in case"
Licence ,what licence!
Never needed one down in Vic back in 80's and 90's. So hastily signed up for one day course end of month.
I also have an RROCP licence which I though lasted lifetime Do I need to update that?
Select to expand quoteBananabender said..
I also have an RROCP licence which I though lasted lifetime Do I need to update that?
What is that exactly?? Reciprocal Recreational Operator's Certificate of Proficiency??
Edit:- The Recreational Fishing and Boating Patrol Officers in Queensland are often worse than Police on steroids.
Extract from Sandringham yacht Club
"
If you are operating either MF/HF or VHF marine equipment, you should be in possession of a Restricted Radiotelephone Operators Certificate of Proficiency (RROCP). From February 1999, the RROCP has been replaced by two new small vessel radio qualifications. The Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP) will be valid for persons operating both MF/HF and VHF marine equipment, while the Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (MROVCP) will be valid for the operation of VHF marine equipment only. Both of these qualifications will include knowledge of a new marine radio-communications technique known as digital selective calling or DSC. The course is intended as a guide for the use of marine radio equipment on small craft and for operators to gain one of the following: Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (ROCP) or Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (ROVCP) Thursday July 26th 7pm - 10pm Thursday August 2nd 7pm - 10pm Thursday August 9th 7pm - 10pm Thursday August 16th 7pm - 8.30pm (Exam) Cost: $195.00"
As I don't intend to Ocean race anymore I am guessing I don't need to upgrade to use vhf or hf. Or do I.
Silly me. What I have is an R.O.C.P.R (Restricted Operator's Certificate of Proficiency in Radiotelephony) which was issued by the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Communications, has no expiry date and permits the holder to operate a Coast Station Class A, Limited Coast Station, Marine Rescue Station, Mobile Station and a Ship Station Class B.
These stations may use HF, VHF and UHF equipment. There are no DSC capable stations in Queensland so all you need to operate a yacht in Queensland is a Marine Recreational Vessel Operator's Certificate of Proficiency.
Hope that helps.
Thanks cisco thats clarifys a lot.
After spending hours trawling through all the sites I could find this arvo I have established that the RROCP licence is still for life but it is recommended replacing with newer certificate which includes DSC .As you state there are no DSC capable stations up here I'll
leave as is but will study up on newer techniques .
Plenty of boats with VHF DSC sets these days. Great for calling a mate instead of blasting everybody on Channel 16.
Cisco said.....
These stations may use HF, VHF and UHF equipment.
Not the HF, for that you need a Ham licence.
Select to expand quotenswsailor said...
Cisco said.....
These stations may use HF, VHF and UHF equipment.
Not the HF, for that you need a Ham licence.
You can use HF under an MROCP
This is heresay gleaned I believe from a fisho's website. Allegedly someone had their rego claim refused on the grounds that they had a VHF radio but no license to operate it. 
I think it's bull$hite but insurance is a funny business. What do you think?
I come from the league where I bought a boat with VHF while I didn't hold a certificate. After doing the MROCP course through coastguard I've gained a massive appreciation for marine radios. I would strongly recommend it because too often I hear people break radiotelephone laws, clutter up frequencies with garbage talk about where the snapper are biting, don't understand station called vs calling, silence periods etc.
I personally have done a pan pan on vhf, I feel if I hadn't done the course I wouldn't of had the confidence to do it and do it properly.
Select to expand quotenswsailor said..
Cisco said.....
These stations may use HF, VHF and UHF equipment.
Not the HF, for that you need a Ham licence.
High Frequency (hf) is included in MROCP
Select to expand quotenswsailor said..
Cisco said.....
These stations may use HF, VHF and UHF equipment.
Not the HF, for that you need a Ham licence.
I use HF just about everyday for work. Like Cisco, I have the ROCPR wich is perpetual in its validity. I do not hold a HAM licence. I would like to do a more recent course as I am sure some things have changed.
I believe if an HF radio has set tuning frequency crystals (For approved frequencies) it is then classed as a limited station and can be operated under a restricted certificate.
If however a radio has a variable tuner a HAM licence is required. I am open to correction. 
Cisco, I couldn't be certain either but it sounds reasonable enough.
Personally I think HF is obsolete. Throwing a carrier pigeon out the window would sometimes get you a better response.
MROCP covers MF/HF and VHF. Is not HAM another word for amatuer radio licence.
Extract from Australian Maritime Auth.
"
D4.2
Existing qualifications
Holders of a Restricted Radio Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency in Radiotelephony (RROCP) will be deemed to hold a qualification equivalent to the MROCP and MROVCP. The ROCPR qualification is no longer issued."
Select to expand quoteToph said..
Cisco, I couldn't be certain either but it sounds reasonable enough.
Personally I think HF is obsolete. Throwing a carrier pigeon out the window would sometimes get you a better response.
I agree. With the small amount of HF radio use I have had has been a bit hit and miss. A lot depends on atmospheric conditions and there is a lot of distortion.
HF radios are expensive, say $5,000 for a good set up and compared to the cost of a satellite phone they don't make much sense. With a sat phone you could be 90% sure of making a connection.
HF is covered by the MROCP.
However, as one who used HF for many years I wouldn't bother. Ionosphere variations make it hit and miss as to whether a call will get through. We often called a local station and had the Philippines or Iceland answer.
I use a sat phone. It doesn't broadcast but I can call the meteorologist or the port authority or home direct.
In emergencies the EPIRB is the first communication.
Radio amateur license / Aus prefix VK /
is not for life
and you strictly limited to Ham bands.
/ 160, 80, 40, 20, 2 metres / radios are
typically all bands but TX is by Aus law
enabled only for ham bands. Some models
can by hacked to open.
HAM and its restrictions are really a mute point in a marine discussion. HAM, same as marine, aeronautical and many other users, are a sub frequency within the HF range. You won't hear amateur radio discussion on a marine HF unit. A HAM license may be renewable but it is a completely different unit that you'll put in your boat.
I have a SSB radio which I know I need to get a license for. Didn't know I needed one for the VHF.
Select to expand quoteMcNaughtical said..
I have a SSB radio which I know I need to get a license for. Didn't know I needed one for the VHF.
Just leave the SSB off. No need for a license for 27 mhz or VHF in NSW. A radio or an EPIRB is required by law once your 3 miles offshore in NSW though.
Select to expand quoteMcNaughtical said..
I have a SSB radio which I know I need to get a license for. Didn't know I needed one for the VHF.
You don't need one for either McNautical.
You're required to have one.
I did this online course to get an MROCP in NSW
www.marineradiolicence.com.au/
A Marine Radio Licence is required if you are operating Marine VHF and/or MF/HF Radios. The licence does not have anything to do with whether the vessel is recreational or commercial.
I hope this clarfies the conflicting info.
Select to expand quoteBananabender said..
Have been using son in laws tinny to potter around in for last couple of years and mentioned that I was going to look at a Sonata 8 about an hour away by boat and might take the tinny .
He said sure then as an after thought said " make sure you have your licence just in case"
Licence ,what licence!
Never needed one down in Vic back in 80's and 90's. So hastily signed up for one day course end of month.
I also have an RROCP licence which I though lasted lifetime Do I need to update that?
Hi BB,
Out of interest, I am about to list my Sonata 8 if you're in the market for one. Just sanding and repainting down in the main cabin, and then its up for sale, the last job on the list!
Sorry for the thread hijack, now back to normal programming...
SB
I was wondering, after reading this thread, are you guys and girls aware of what are you saying?
If this was a recepie for making bread, all one would get is concrete blocks.
No person would be served with so much controversial information since Marx's "The Capital" or the Bible itself.
This is awful!!!
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
I was wondering, after reading this thread, are you guys and girls aware of what are you saying?
If this was a recepie for making bread, all one would get is concrete blocks.
No person would be served with so much controversial information since Marx's "The Capital" or the Bible itself.
This is awful!!!
I know... I am quite confused !!!
The Online Marine Radio Course All Hands on Deck Maritime Training introduced the Online Marine Radio Course in 2009 in response to requests from many people all around the country for assistance in obtaining their Marine Radio Licence and who wanted to be able to study online before sitting the final written examination. The online course has proven to be hugely successful and is one of our most popular courses. Since 2009 we have assisted many thousand of people to quickly and easily obtain their Marine Radio licence. The Online Marine Radio Course allows candidates the opportunity of unlimited study online for the Marine Radio Certificate exam regardless of where you live in Australia (and also overseas as we have had people in the US, UK, South Africa, Singapore, Uruguay, The Netherland and Dubai use the process) with the added advantage of phone or email access to our Invigilator. At any given time we would have in excess of 150 people around the country, from Karratha WA to Sale VIC, from Albany WA to Thursday Island QLD, completing the course. Who should have a Marine Radio Licence? A Marine Radio Licence is required if you are operating Marine VHF and/or MF/HF Radios. The licence does not have anything to do with whether the vessel is recreational or commercial. If you intend obtaining a commercial qualification such as a Coxswain or Master V you need to have the licence anyway however it is simply about having the knowledge to operate Marine VHF and/or MF/HF Radios. If you currently have a Marine VHF and/or MF/HF Radio on board your vessel and you do not have a Marine Radio Licence you will find that it will be necessary to obtain a licence if you intend to up grade your radio to the popular and much preferred Digital Selective Call (DSC) type of radio. To access the full features of these radio requires the radio to be registered and the issue of a Marine Mobile Service Identity number (MMSI). To obtain an MMSI you need to provide your Marine Radio Licence number. You can enroll in this course at any time from the enrolment link on this page and on completion of enrolment you will receive: A FREE downloaded version of the Marine Radio Handbook and/or the VHF Radio Handbook, Access to additional training material and resources related to Marine Radio knowledge and operation, Unlimited access to over 350 questions of a similar nature to the final exam and Access to our Senior Trainer/Exam Supervisor via phone and email. The cost for this course is $59.00. Types of Marine Radio Certificates There are essentially 2 types of certificates: The Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP) which is for operating both VHF radios (short range radios) and Medium Frequency/High Frequency (MF/HF) Radios (which are designed for long range transmission) and The Marine Radio Operators VHF Only Certificate of Proficiency (MROVCP) is designed for those who are only carrying and/or operating a Very High Frequency (VHF) (Short Range) radio. Basically if you intend travelling on offshore coastal voyages, are part of a yacht race crew, or applying for commercial qualifications such as a Coxswain's or Master V certificate, you should obtain an [b]MROCP Certificate. THIS IS THE PREFERRED CERTIFICATE TO OBTAIN. If you are operating small recreational vessels in harbours and bays or staying near the coast then an MROVCP (VHF Only) Certificate will be sufficient
This is from the horses mouth.... from the website provided by Scotchas....
Hope this clarifies.... lol
[/b]
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said...
I was wondering, after reading this thread, are you guys and girls aware of what are you saying?
If this was a recepie for making bread, all one would get is concrete blocks.
No person would be served with so much controversial information since Marx's "The Capital" or the Bible itself.
This is awful!!!
Aww I don't know Sirg. I feel fairly confident in what I've said. It has been over 20 years since I did my RROPC though. I have been known to get my mix of concrete wrong though 
I held a master class 5 for more than 30 years. I did have a radio license in the '80's but they disappeared when it cost the government more to administer than the collected fees. I have never had a license for HF though I used them a lot in the navy. I don't know anyone personally who has a marine radio license, the fishermen certainly don't. DSC radios is a different matter.
