Jim, the way I read it, most people that are into coastal cruising generally find they have none or very little need for a HF set and seem to do very well with just a VHF. A HF set comes into its own if you venture further offshore and distance of reception becomes an issue plus also by utilising a modem connected to your HF and computer you have email facilities nearly anywhere.

Having had a look at www.marineradiolicence.com.au/ I get the feeling that to have to have two licenses is a cynical ploy to extract more money out sailors. Surely if you can show proficiency in one radio you must have the same proficiency in another, after all it's only the frequency that has changed.

You don't need to do both, the MROCP covers both VHF and HF. However HF will only be useful for long range cruising. After many years using HF in the Navy, I would rather use my Iridium SATPHONE. More reliable communications.

No worries LooseChange. I have recently started with Marine Rescue Sydney as a radio operator and have learned a lot already, this being one of them.
I also learned, despite what I had been told through the media and magazines like Cruising Helmsman, that HF 2182KHz is monitored by Marine Rescue Sydney and they listen out 24/7.
As Ramona will remember from our Navy days, HF is notoriously unreliable at communicating with who you want to. Atmospherics, side lobes, technical problems etc often disrupt communications. It is expensive to install and repair.
My SAT PHONE has worked fine every time I have used it on the boat. Expensive in operating costs for data but a SATPHONE can also download. Quite cheap now for phone calls.
If you have a working HF, great, it has its uses. If you don't, my advice is don't bother.

I just used http://www.amc.edu.au/revision-questions-mrocp to get both if ever as its just a couple more questions, or you could www.amc.edu.au/revision-questions-mrovcp and then contact a Examiner it only cost me $55 or something But I have never used and proberly will never use a HF due to the cost to keep it legal on the boat that was about $100 so I ripped it out and sold it on ebay.

MorningBird said...

No worries LooseChange. I have recently started with Marine Rescue Sydney as a radio operator and have learned a lot already, this being one of them.
I also learned, despite what I had been told through the media and magazines like Cruising Helmsman, that HF 2182KHz is monitored by Marine Rescue Sydney and they listen out 24/7.
As Ramona will remember from our Navy days, HF is notoriously unreliable at communicating with who you want to. Atmospherics, side lobes, technical problems etc often disrupt communications. It is expensive to install and repair.
My SAT PHONE has worked fine every time I have used it on the boat. Expensive in operating costs for data but a SATPHONE can also download. Quite cheap now for phone calls.
If you have a working HF, great, it has its uses. If you don't, my advice is don't bother.

I have a superb HF set up but don't use it. It looks impressive. Mate picked up a similar unit from the skip bin at CYCA and he had a choice! The previous owner was still there and confirmed it was serviceable.