Announcement: Hand held VHF DSC

Published September 2010

Hand held VHF DSC can now be used under the UK Ship Portable radio licence.

Responding to the needs of potential users and manufacturers, we have developed a draft standard (the UK Interface Requirement) to enable us to authorise the use of hand held VHF DSC. This has been submitted to the European Commission so that other Member States can comment. However, we view hand held VHF DSC as an important aid to safety particularly for those in small boats and kayaks and so we are pressing ahead and are now authorising some sets.

We have developed some FAQs (http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/ships-radio/faq/vhf-faq), which explain how to get authorised and which radios are allowed.