The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC)  equipment on any British flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio. This includes both fixed and hand held equipment using International channels.

A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. Unnecessary transmissions could block out a Mayday distress call.

Without a radio operators certificate, a VHF radio may be monitored for safety purposes or used to summon assistance in a distress situation, but it may not be used for general transmissions. These can only be made by a licenced operator or by someone under the direct supervision of a licenced operator, this is a legal requirement on a British Flagged boat. 

If you hold the old VHF licence (pre-1999) and you operate a VHF with DSC (digital selective calling) integrated then you need to complete an update course to be issued with a new Short range certificate (SRC). 

Find out more about the Marine Radio (SRC) course on the RYA website.

Though there are lots of benefits to attending the classroom VHF course, you may wish to look at the online course? Not only has the RYA VHF Online course won two gold awards for eLearning it is both more time efficient (online course 4-8hrs vs. classroom course 8hrs), less expensive (online £65 vs classroom £100), doesn't have 'set dates' you need to attend and gives you the choice to complete it at your own pace. Our RYA VHF instructors are still available at the end of the phone, Skype and email if you have any questions as you go through the online course. The RYA Online course has now been available for coming up to 5 years and 'to date' the feedback from our clients regarding this course has been 100% positive. Learn more by clicking here: RYA VHF / SRC Online Course

On successful completion of the SRC exam assessment (practical & written paper) the VHF application form will be sent to the RYA along with your passport photo and certificate fee. The RYA certification department will then post your RYA VHF certificate directly to you. 

The operators licence (Short Range Certificate) you will receive is for Class D radios, the type fitted to most leisure craft. It is generally accepted internationally for operators on British flagged boats, but to operate a radio on a foreign craft you should contact the appropriate national authority. 

There are also books available that support the course - if you would like some reference material then the RYA VHF Radio (inc. GMDSS) has all the course notes in it. If you are considering just completing the exam without any tuition that we would recommend that your purchase the VHF Syllabus & Sample questions book - these can all be purchased from the RYA shop by clicking the link below. 

Further information on Licencing onboard electronics: 

• VHF Licencing
• Ship radio Licence
• Ship portable radio licence
• Callsigns and MMSI
• EPIRB/PLB