Thread: Coastguard - Yes. VHF & Day Skipper - Maybe????

As mikee mentioned, you are restricted to CH16 and emergency use without the restricted RT operator's certificate - and a lot of the local TR receiving places (coastguard usually but there are local specific ones in some parts) run off other channels not CH16. Basically for the cost and minimal hassle I'd just get the operator's cert.

With the VHF fixed antenna's - one of the commercial survey RT inspector's went into a local retailer and asked to test all of their stock after having a surprising number of failures from brand new antennas. I mean brand new, replaced in front of the inspector right there! Virtually all of a certain type failed - I think only one of that style passed and it was marginal. If I have this correctly, it was the sealed type with the connection built into the bottom of the housing that connects to the base - the other main style that has an external cable coming out of it was better. It was a point for me as with commercial survey that is one pain in the arse that we just don't need. I have no idea if it was a dud batch, or if they are still having issues with the connection in the bottom of that style antenna but if there is a problem I'm just going to roll the other type with the cable coming out and try and avoid any issues...