Question 4 on this section

2d Maritime mobile operation.

2(1)(e) Use whilst Maritime Mobile and meaning of Maritime Mobile as shown in clauses 17(1)(v), (ss)

2(1)(e) where this Licence is a Full Licence only, from a Maritime Mobile location

17(1)(v) "Maritime Mobile" means the Radio Equipment is located on any Vessel at Sea;,

(ss) "Vessel at Sea" means a Vessel operating on the seaward side of the low-water line along the coastline as marked on large scale charts officially recognised by the relevant coastal state;

With the Advanced licence you will be able to operate Maritime mobile and can use the suffix /MM when on a vessel at sea - that means in tidal waters. Note that on inland waters you are /M (mobile)

The other locations remain as for the Foundation and the Intermediate licence.

Installation use and changes.

9(4) Before operating the Radio Equipment on a Vessel, the Licensee shall install, use or make changes to the Radio Equipment only with the written permission of the Vessel's Master.

From the interpretation section the following is to be noted:-

"Vessel" means any other floating structure which is capable of being manned

If you are to operate amateur radio on board any sea going ship big or small, the ship's master must know of the existence of your amateur installation (including hand-helds) and be able to require silence.

To avoid any doubt permission to operate an amateur radio transmitter, or to change an installation must  be IN WRITING from the vessel's master.

Radio Silence

9(5) Whilst operating the Radio Equipment on a Vessel, the Licensee shall observe radio silence on the advice of the Vessel's Master.

You must also understand that there are specific times when Radio Silence must be observed. This is to allow for distress calls , or distress beacons to be more easily heard on what ever frequency they are being made.

Know the 3 ITU regions and that the frequencies are given in the ITU Radio Regulations.

9(6) When the Licensee operates the Radio Equipment on a Vessel in international waters, use of the radio spectrum shall continue to be made in accordance with Schedule 1, except that the Licensee shall use only those frequency bands which, in accordance with the Radio Regulations, have an allocation to the amateur service in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) region being visited.

You have to have a working knowledge of the three regions in so far as if a country is picked out in an exam you would know in which region is was located.

The map above shows the approximate boundaries between the 3 ITU regions.

The frequencies that you may use are those which are allocated to the amateur service in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) radio regulations and so long as they are also available to you in your licence document.

Close down

5(3) When operating the Radio Equipment from a Maritime Mobile location, the Licensee shall cease to operate the Radio Equipment on the demand of the Vessel's master.

Quite obvious this one that if you are told to stop operating then you must cease else you may put at risk the safety of the ship. This could be for a number of reasons :-

• Interference with ship's radio

• Interference with ship's radar

• Interference with ship's electrical / electronic systems

• or just because the master is fed up with you having fun !!!!

Log keeping

12(2) When operating the Radio Equipment from a Vessel, the Licensee shall, at the request of the Vessel's master, keep a log of such matters concerning the operation of the Radio Equipment as the master may require.

Optional suffix "/MM" to call sign

Note (d) IV If the Licensee operates the Radio Equipment from a Maritime Mobile location, the Licensee may use the suffix "/MM" with the Callsign.

The /MM indicates maritime mobile in the same way as /M indicate mobile.