About the exam
RYA Marine Radio SRC Exam structure
An independent study guide aligned to the current RYA Marine Radio Short Range Certificate syllabus, including marine VHF voice procedure, Class D DSC, GMDSS Sea Area A1, licensing and written-plus-practical assessment.
Issuer and path
RYA Marine Radio SRC Study Guide is administered through Royal Yachting Association. Check official resources before booking, retesting, or relying on a stale requirement.
SRC Written Theory Question Paper
0 scored + 0 pretest
The official written component covering radio principles, licensing, channels, GMDSS, DSC and operating procedures. RYA does not publish a universal public question count, duration or pass mark.
SRC Practical Marine VHF Assessment
0 scored + 0 pretest
The official practical component using marine VHF and Class D DSC training equipment. Voice and operational knowledge may also be sampled in the written component.
Before booking an SRC exam
Choose an RYA Recognised Training Centre, confirm that it accepts your course or prior-certificate evidence, check the current application, photograph and fee requirements, and arrange familiarisation with its training radios—especially after online learning.
How to use this guide
How to prepare for the Marine Radio SRC
Build from station licensing and radio controls to disciplined voice and DSC traffic, then rehearse distress, urgency, safety, false-alert and GMDSS decisions on training equipment.
1. Prepare
Confirm authority, station identity, position, equipment condition, listening watch and the facts that must be communicated.
2. Select
Choose the correct priority, addressee, DSC category, working channel and power for the situation.
3. Send
Transmit the intended DSC alert or voice call only after checking identity, position, priority and channel.
4. Speak
Give the required voice call and message clearly, briefly and in the correct operational order.
5. Monitor and correct
Listen for acknowledgement and instructions, protect priority traffic, update information and cancel accidental alerts by the correct procedure.
SRC Authority, Scope and Higher Certificates
What the SRC authorises, its VHF/DSC and GMDSS Sea Area A1 focus, and when MF/HF, mandatory-fit or STCW operations require a different certificate.
Key rules
Rule 1
The SRC is the minimum operator qualification for marine VHF and VHF DSC on a qualifying UK-flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with radio equipment.
Exam cue: Identify the radio band, voyage area, vessel type and whether the radio fit is voluntary or mandatory.
Rule 2
The certificate covers international maritime VHF frequencies, including channel 70 for DSC, and supports non-SOLAS operation in GMDSS Sea Area A1.
Exam cue: Separate VHF operator authority from ownership, vessel qualification and equipment licensing.
Rule 3
MF/HF or satellite operation on a voluntarily fitted pleasure vessel requires the LRC, while mandatory-fit and STCW roles may require ROC or GOC rather than SRC.
Exam cue: Choose the higher certificate before using equipment outside SRC scope.
Common traps
Treating SRC as authority to operate MF, HF or every satellite terminal.
Prevention: Do not present the 601-item authoring target as an official RYA paper and do not treat static study as a substitute for the recognised written and practical examination.
Assuming an SRC is an STCW radio qualification for a mandatory-fit ship.
Prevention: Do not present the 601-item authoring target as an official RYA paper and do not treat static study as a substitute for the recognised written and practical examination.
Using vessel tonnage alone without checking the statutory radio-fit and role.
Prevention: Do not present the 601-item authoring target as an official RYA paper and do not treat static study as a substitute for the recognised written and practical examination.
Memory anchors
SRC
Short Range Certificate for marine VHF and VHF DSC in the non-SOLAS Sea Area A1 context.
LRC
Long Range Certificate for voluntarily fitted pleasure-vessel MF, HF or satellite communications.
ROC/GOC
Professional GMDSS certificates used where mandatory-fit or STCW requirements apply.
Channel 70
The VHF channel reserved for Digital Selective Calling.
Scope First
Check band, sea area, vessel and mandatory-fit status before choosing the operator certificate.
Next best moves
Quick check-up
Use a short quiz to confirm the rule pattern is actually sticking.
Check-up Questions
A UK yacht voluntarily carries a fixed VHF/DSC set for coastal cruising. What is the minimum operator qualification for the person controlling routine use?
A skipper plans to operate MF/HF equipment beyond the VHF coastal area on a voluntarily fitted pleasure yacht. Which certificate is the appropriate progression?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Open another topic next
Official resources
Verify the details with the official sources
Use these links for eligibility, scheduling, handbook rules, and issuer updates. Our guide helps you study; official sources tell you what the testing partner currently requires.
RYA Marine Radio SRC Course and Exam
Current course purpose, ten-hours-plus-exam structure, delivery, entry, syllabus headings and written-plus-practical assessment.
RYA SRC Exams
Current recognised-centre exam route, eligibility, age and assessment components.
RYA SRC examination application
Official certificate scope, accepted eligibility evidence and practical-plus-written test of voice, Class D DSC and VHF GMDSS rules.
RYA Onboard Communications
Official overview of GMDSS, DSC-to-voice follow-up, channel 16 watch, NAVTEX, EPIRBs and satellite communications.
RYA Licensing Onboard Electronics
Official distinction between equipment licensing and operator certification, including SRC, LRC, ROC and GOC boundaries.
Ofcom Ship Radio
Current Ship Radio and Ship Portable Radio licensing, call-sign and MMSI guidance.
MCA small-boat VHF DSC procedures
Current UK operational sequence for listening, routine calls, distress, urgency, safety and the GMDSS sea areas.
MCA MGN 324 Amendment 2
Current watchkeeping and safe-use guidance for channels 16, 70, port operations, routine inter-ship traffic and navigation safety.
MCA MSN 1924 beacon registration
Current UK EPIRB and PLB registration requirements, including registration with the UK Beacon Registry and keeping details current.
FAQ
Common RYA Marine Radio SRC questions
Is this an official RYA course, exam or question bank?
No. This is an independent non-question study-guide module aligned to current public RYA, MCA and Ofcom material. Only an RYA recognised training and assessment route can provide the recognised course and SRC examination.
What does the SRC authorise?
Within its stated vessel scope, the SRC is the operator qualification for marine VHF voice and VHF DSC, including channel 70. It does not itself license the transmitting equipment and does not extend to MF or HF.
Do I need both an operator certificate and a radio licence?
Yes where the equipment is installed or carried for ordinary use. The SRC concerns the operator. Ofcom's Ship Radio or Ship Portable Radio Licence covers the station or portable equipment and supplies or records identities such as the call sign and MMSI.
Can I complete the whole qualification online?
No. The learning may be completed online, but the written and practical examination takes place in person at an RYA Recognised Training Centre. Online candidates should arrange the exam and allow time to become familiar with the centre's training radios.
What is the current exam structure?
RYA publishes two components: a written theory question paper and a practical assessment using marine VHF equipment. The practical and written work cover voice procedures, Class D DSC operation and the governing rules, with particular emphasis on distress and urgency.
How many written questions are there, how long is the exam and what is the pass mark?
Current public RYA learner pages and the current application form do not publish one universal question count, written-paper duration, practical duration or pass percentage. Use the recognised centre's current joining instructions rather than treating provider mocks or legacy figures as official.
Does sending a DSC alert replace the voice message?
No. DSC alerts and establishes the digital priority and identity information. The operator then follows on the appropriate voice channel with the required radiotelephony call and message, including a Mayday voice call and message after a distress alert.
When should Mayday, Pan-Pan and a safety call be used?
Mayday is for grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance. Pan-Pan is for an urgent message concerning safety without meeting the distress threshold. Safety priority introduces an important navigational or meteorological warning. The situation, not convenience, determines the priority.
What does GMDSS Sea Area A1 mean for SRC study?
A1 is the area within radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station maintaining continuous DSC alerting. SRC study centres on VHF and DSC operation there while introducing NAVTEX, EPIRBs, SARTs, satellites and the wider A1-A4 structure.
When is a different operator certificate needed?
MF, HF or relevant satellite operation on a voluntarily fitted pleasure vessel calls for the Long Range Certificate. Vessels legally required to carry GMDSS equipment and STCW radio roles may require the Restricted Operator's Certificate or General Operator's Certificate instead of SRC.
Can someone without an SRC use the radio in a life-threatening emergency?
Ofcom's licence terms permit anyone to use the equipment to summon assistance when there is a risk to life. That emergency provision does not remove the normal requirements for licensing, competent control and correct routine operation.
Can this guide replace hands-on radio practice?
No. Static study can explain sequence and judgement, but the official exam also tests practical control of marine VHF and Class D DSC training equipment. Practise setup, channel and power selection, DSC menus, push-to-talk discipline, voice calls and false-alert recovery on suitable training radios.