New AWQ - VHF Lisence

The new lisence has been released.

http://www.acma.gov.au/~/media/Spectrum%20Licensing%20Policy/Fact%20sheets/PDF/AWQ%20fact%20sheet_final%20pdf.pdf

Any idea where in Perth I can sit the AWQ VHF lisence exam? I phoned a few sea rescue organisations who either have not heard about the new licence or not aware that it has been released.


Posts: 539

Date Joined: 29/03/10

Interested to know why you

Thu, 2015-10-01 12:28

Interested to know why you would not sit the full licence?

bushbeaver's picture

Posts: 159

Date Joined: 08/07/13

Here's the link to the

Thu, 2015-10-01 13:03

Here's the link to the training material http://www.anzsbeg.com.au/index.php/safety-equipment/marine-radios/awq-training-package/

It looks like there is only two accredited assessment centres at the moment, to serve the whole of Australia.  Probably easier (more widely accessible) to do the MROVCP.

Posts: 5981

Date Joined: 17/06/10

MROVCP stands for ?????

Thu, 2015-10-01 17:46

Hi can you please tell what MROVCP stands for and give me a quick heads up on why this would be a better qualification to get I hold the (now old ) limited VHF licence, is this going to be replaced by the new qualifications or are they a further step up the tree of knowledge on VHF.

bushbeaver's picture

Posts: 159

Date Joined: 08/07/13

Previously one was required

Fri, 2015-10-02 02:53

Previously one was required to hold a Marine Radio Operator's Certificate Of Proficiency to operate VHF/HF/MF radio, or Marine Radio Operator VHF Certificate of proficiency (VHF only). The MROVCP can be done through many local entities (Perth Boat School, Whitworths Marine Rescue, Fremantle Sea Rescue and others). I don't know if this new qualification would be a "step up" or not, but my guess would be the latter.

 

Here's a quote from a maritime training website regarding MROCP and MROVCP certificates as required before the introduction of the AWQ:

There are essentially 2 types of certificates:

  1. The Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP)incorporates knowledge of both Medium Frequency/High Frequency (MF/HF) Radios, which are designed for long range transmission, and VHF radios.

     

  2. The Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (MROVCP) which is designed for those who are only carrying and/or operating a Very High Frequency (VHF) (Short Range) radio.

 

Basically if you intend travelling more than 40 miles from the coast, or applying for a commercial qualification such as a Coxswain or Master V, you should obtain an MROCP Certificate.

If you are operating in the harbours and bays or staying near the coast then an MROVCP Certificate will be sufficient.

Regardless of which certificate you wish to apply for if you are a Boat Owner and you wish to upgrade your MF/HF or VHF Radio to a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Radio, which is the preferred type of radio to carry, you will not be able to register the radio and obtain a Marine Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number for the radio unless you obtain your Marine Radio Certificate first.

 

 

 

Here is the info from the AWQ information page as linked to in the original post:

 

The ACMA’s internationally recognised marine radio qualifications—the Marine Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP) and Marine Radio Operator VHF Certificate of Proficiency (MROVCP) have had a name change.

Now known as the Long-Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (formerly MROCP) and Short-Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (formerly MROVCP), these certificates remain unchanged and are issued for life.

So, if you already have one of these qualifications, you don’t need to do anything. However, if you’re looking to get qualified and you operate a VHF marine radio only within 12 nautical miles of the coast, this new domestic qualification may be easier, cheaper and quicker to obtain. 

 

 

 

The point I was trying to make in my post, is that the MROCP (now to be called "Long range" OCP) or MROVCP (now to be called "Short rance" OCP) are apparently not to be replaced by the new (?? more abbreviated??) AWQ, and the courses are locally available already. Doing a search for AWQ asessment centres, I could find only two accredited institutions in the whole of Australia, which defeats the above stated purpose of the AWQ being "easier" to obtain.

 

Terry's picture

Posts: 458

Date Joined: 04/12/05

this may help....maybe

Thu, 2015-10-01 18:05

The ACMA logo
View online | Subscribe | Contact us

24 September 2015

Marine radio: Australian Waters Qualification

The ACMA is celebrating World Maritime Day with the launch of the marine radio Australian Waters Qualification (AWQ).

This means that boaters who use a VHF marine radio in Australian Territorial Waters (within 12 nautical miles of the coast) are now able to apply for the more appropriate marine radio AWQ.

The ACMA has recently approved this new qualification for inclusion in the marine radio class licence, which is now available from all registered training organisations that have included it in their scope. To help you learn about the correct VHF marine radio procedures and protocols, we have developed an online training package, which is available from the ANZSBEG website.

We’ve also developed an AWQ page on our website that sets out the benefits of getting qualified and links to the training package mentioned above.

A new marine radio qualifications video is also included on the webpage, along with a link to a separate fact sheet about the qualification.


Follow us
Facebook Twitter RSS YouTube Pinterest
acma.gov.au
The Australian Communications and Media Authority

Posts: 5981

Date Joined: 17/06/10

Hmmm the way I read it

Thu, 2015-10-01 22:19

If I'am going to have a go at deep drop fishing (and I assume it will be more than 12NM from the coast) then I'm going to have to get a long range certificate for VHF etc.

I'm going to the deep drop presentation night put on by Oceanside Marine tomorrow night if I get the chance I'll raise this topic as I bet a few people don't know the new requirements.

Thanks to all those who have added info to this topic all of it is much appreciated.

crasny1's picture

Posts: 6985

Date Joined: 16/10/08

Still confused by all this!I

Fri, 2015-10-02 09:00

Still confused by all this!

I bought a boat in karratha with a VHF. Used it without a licence (even though I had radio training as a Command centre Radio operator for rally Australia years back).

Down here I can buy a VHF Radio and install it. Is it illegal to operate?

It seems a little backwards in todays safety environment to make boaties jump through holes to optain better safety equipment IMO.

____________________________________________________________________________

"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk

Posts: 4561

Date Joined: 01/02/10

 Has always been required for

Fri, 2015-10-02 09:50

 Has always been required for operating a vhf radio. As far as I'm aware it has never been enforced and there has never been anyone booked for correct use.

Certainly would of been beneficial to build something into the skippers ticket training to cover this but bit late for that now.

____________________________________________________________________________

Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?

Lastchance's picture

Posts: 1272

Date Joined: 02/02/09

It would definitely be a

Fri, 2015-10-02 10:00

It would definitely be a sneaky (also very unpopular) protest at a fishing comp!

Posts: 4561

Date Joined: 01/02/10

 I'll remember that next time

Fri, 2015-10-02 10:07

 I'll remember that next time I come second

____________________________________________________________________________

Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?

Posts: 114

Date Joined: 26/03/15

Hey Doc yes it is illegal to

Fri, 2015-10-02 09:57

Hey Doc yes it is illegal to operate a VHF without a lisence and loads of people do. From what I read they will start cracking down soon on this hence the new qualification namely AWQ to make it easier to obtain a lisence for small boaties like myself that do not venture further out than 12nm. The training package is excellent and you can do at home but then need a RTO (training assessor) to assess you. This is where I think they have not given much thought in terms of role out since none of the RTOs in Perth have heard of the AWQ or know it has been released. I've taken it up with ACMA and still waiting for satisfactory response. More info on AWQ over here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfLthXxij_g

scubafish's picture

Posts: 947

Date Joined: 15/08/12

DSC

Fri, 2015-10-02 10:18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HQXursU0Dc

____________________________________________________________________________

http://img.gg/BQ91Sys

Posts: 539

Date Joined: 29/03/10

 I would recommend the full

Fri, 2015-10-02 11:00

 I would recommend the full licence. Covers the simple stuff like pan pan and mayday but also gets into some good technical knowledge. If you go out deep chances are you may be need to communicate with commercial vessels, so why not have the same training as them?

 

Brucesta's picture

Posts: 1721

Date Joined: 29/05/09

 Catch me if you can!!!! good

Fri, 2015-10-02 17:09

 Catch me if you can!!!! good luck them "cracking down" on recreational VHF users :) It's a bit like those bait jigs some of you use for livies... not illegal to buy them, not illegal to be in possesion of them but once it's tied to a rod you're breaking the rule regarding max of 3 hooks per line.

From memory there was a seciton that went into radio procedures on the skippers ticket? it wasn't a practical thing but a study section around the correct protocol, the channels  and thier uses etc. I can't see the big deal. most people stick to 72 for ship to ship chat. any excuse for the AMCA to drift around in a boat with thier spectrum analyser and a yagi antenna listening in on you lot and tracking you down, they'll probably ping your spot too.

____________________________________________________________________________

Las Vegas - Rolling the dice and trying your luck. 1M+ Barra summer target. 100kg Black Marlin winter target

Posts: 812

Date Joined: 09/10/06

 Yeah have only a vhf. No

Fri, 2015-10-02 18:14

 Yeah have only a vhf. No license ,use to log on off all the time. Wont be getting license any time soon. 

Posts: 71

Date Joined: 20/01/14

As far as I know

Fri, 2015-10-02 18:41

You can buy a VHF Radio but you can't get an MMSI number unless you can prove that you have an operators lic. without a MMSI you can't use DSC or set your emergency button to send your co-ordinates from you GPS ( if its connected ) in case of an emergency.

Jason P's picture

Posts: 521

Date Joined: 16/02/13

 Sounds like another

Fri, 2015-10-02 19:03

 Sounds like another government money grab as there really isn't much to using a radio. 10/4, over and out.

____________________________________________________________________________

 DM306

Posts: 4561

Date Joined: 01/02/10

 I'll have a go at answering

Fri, 2015-10-02 22:11

 I'll have a go at answering some of the reasons behind that.  

You have always supposed to have an operators licence for VHF and above. 27 meg was all most rec guys ever needed as they were not travelling too far. As boats got more reliable and fish became harder to find people travelled further and required radios with more range. 

Has also been kept in place for proscecution of hoax calls. 

There has never been anyone fined for correct use of a VHF radio.

____________________________________________________________________________

Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?

snappermiles's picture

Posts: 2100

Date Joined: 05/11/10

just another money making scam

Sun, 2015-10-04 10:58

just another money making scam

____________________________________________________________________________

ALL FISHERMEN ARE LIARS EXCEPT YOU AND ME! AND IM NOT SO SURE ABOUT YOU!

Posts: 821

Date Joined: 22/07/10

 Vhf is only line of

Tue, 2015-11-24 17:08

 Vhf is only line of sight,plus the higher the antenna mount the further it can go.27 megs bouncers off the ionosphere but due to high solar flares since the late 80s range is limited during the day when sea rescue is listened.night time you could to to anyone half a continent away.