Free Practice Questions for RYA SRC/VHF

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Key Facts: RYA SRC/VHF Exam

CEPT syllabus areas

ERC/REC 31-04, 2024

Minimum examination age

RYA SRC exam page

£76

2026 examination fee

RYA exam information

VHF voice distress channel

MCA MGN 324 Amendment 2

DSC-only VHF channel

MCA MGN 324 Amendment 2

406 MHz

EPIRB satellite distress band

CEPT syllabus

Independent UK RYA SRC study material covering the five areas of the active CEPT 31-04 syllabus: maritime radio knowledge, equipment, subsystem procedures, voice procedure and regulations. Equipment licences and professional skipper qualifications are separate. Written theory plus practical radio assessment; public question total not stated. Pass the written and practical assessment; public numeric cutoff not stated. £76 RYA examination fee in 2026; tuition and center hosting charges separate.

Sample RYA SRC/VHF Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the RYA SRC/VHF exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the definition of GMDSS Sea Area A1?

A.An area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available

B.An area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one MF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available

C.An area within the coverage of an Inmarsat geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available

D.The polar regions north of 70 degrees North latitude where satellite coverage is limited

Explanation: GMDSS Sea Area A1 is defined as an area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous DSC (Digital Selective Calling) alerting is available. This area typically extends 20 to 30 nautical miles from the coast. Sea Area A2 covers MF range, Sea Area A3 covers satellite range, and Sea Area A4 represents polar regions.

2Which frequency is the primary international channel for satellite-relayed EPIRB distress alerts?

A.121.5 MHz

B.156.8 MHz

C.406.0 MHz

D.2182.0 kHz

Explanation: Modern EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) transmit their primary digital distress alerts on 406.0 MHz to the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system. The satellite system decodes the vessel's unique hex ID and GPS coordinates to coordinate search and rescue. 121.5 MHz is a low-power homing signal, 156.8 MHz is VHF Ch 16, and 2182.0 kHz is MF voice distress.

3On what frequency band does a standard radar Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) operate?

A.406 MHz satellite band

B.9 GHz (X-band) marine radar band

C.156 MHz VHF marine band

D.3 GHz (S-band) marine radar band

Explanation: A standard radar SART operates on the 9 GHz frequency band, which corresponds to X-band (3 cm) marine radars. When it sweeps a signal from an X-band radar, it transmits a series of pulses that display as a line of 12 dots on the rescuer's radar screen. It does not interact with S-band (10 cm) radars or VHF/satellite bands.

4What is the primary international frequency used for NAVTEX broadcasts in English?

A.490 kHz

B.518 kHz

C.2187.5 kHz

D.4209.5 kHz

Explanation: The primary international NAVTEX frequency is 518 kHz, and all broadcasts on this frequency must be in English. It transmits navigational warnings, weather forecasts, and search and rescue alerts. 490 kHz is used for national/local language broadcasts, and 4209.5 kHz is used for tropical zones.

5At what approximate depth range is a Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) designed to automatically deploy a float-free EPIRB?

A.Between 1.5 and 4 meters

B.Between 10 and 15 meters

C.At any depth greater than 0.5 meters

D.Only when the vessel capsizes completely and water pressure is lost

Explanation: A Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) uses water pressure to cut the securing bolt and release the EPIRB before the vessel sinks too deep. It is designed to activate at a depth between 1.5 and 4 meters. Setting it shallower prevents premature release by heavy seas, and setting it deeper increases the risk of the EPIRB getting trapped by the vessel's superstructure.

6How will a radar Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) appear on a rescue vessel's X-band radar screen as they approach from several miles away?

A.A series of 12 radial dots extending outwards from the SART's position

B.A single bright flashing circle centered on the radar sweep

C.A solid triangle showing the vessel's course and speed vector

D.A red warning banner indicating a GMDSS emergency alert

Explanation: On an X-band (3 cm) radar screen, a SART appears as a line of 12 dots extending outwards from the transponder's location. As the rescue vessel gets very close, these dots broaden into arcs and eventually become concentric circles, indicating they are in the immediate vicinity. It does not display vectors or warning banners.

7What is the defined range of GMDSS Sea Area A2?

A.Within the coverage of VHF coast stations (20-30 miles)

B.Within the coverage of Medium Frequency (MF) coast stations with continuous DSC alerting (typically up to 150 miles)

C.Within geostationary satellite coverage between 70 degrees North and 70 degrees South

D.Areas beyond Sea Areas A1, A2, and A3, typically the polar zones

Explanation: GMDSS Sea Area A2 covers the area within the radiotelephone range of at least one Medium Frequency (MF) coast station with continuous DSC alerting. This typically extends up to 150 nautical miles offshore, excluding Sea Area A1. A1 is VHF, A3 is satellite, and A4 is polar.

8Which GMDSS Sea Area covers maritime regions within the footprint of geostationary satellites, excluding Sea Areas A1 and A2?

A.Sea Area A1

B.Sea Area A2

C.Sea Area A3

D.Sea Area A4

Explanation: GMDSS Sea Area A3 covers the footprint of geostationary satellites (such as Inmarsat), which covers latitudes between 70 degrees North and 70 degrees South, excluding Sea Areas A1 and A2. Areas beyond this are classified as Sea Area A4.

9Under GMDSS regulations, which system provides digital paging to establish initial radio contact before voice communication begins?

A.EPIRB

B.DSC (Digital Selective Calling)

C.AIS (Automatic Identification System)

D.NAVTEX

Explanation: DSC (Digital Selective Calling) acts as a digital paging system in GMDSS. It allows a vessel to transmit a digital alert to all stations or a specific station, indicating the channel they wish to use for subsequent voice or data communication. EPIRBs are for distress beacons, AIS is for collision avoidance and tracking, and NAVTEX is for maritime safety information.

10What is the primary operational function of an EPIRB?

A.To send routine position reports to the coast guard

B.To broadcast navigation hazards to nearby ships

C.To transmit a distress alert to satellites to locate a vessel and coordinate rescue

D.To transmit a radar signal showing target coordinates on search vessels

Explanation: An EPIRB is designed to transmit a digital distress alert to COSPAS-SARSAT satellites on 406 MHz. This alert includes the vessel's unique identity (and GPS position if GPS-equipped), enabling rescue coordination centers to launch search and rescue operations. It does not transmit routine reports or radar signals.

About the RYA SRC/VHF Exam

Exam sponsor: Royal Yachting Association on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Written theory and practical VHF/DSC assessment; confirm session timing with the recognized training center.

Time Limit

Session timing confirmed by the recognized training center; no fixed total stated on the current public exam page

Passing Score

Pass the written and practical assessment; public numeric cutoff not stated

Exam / Certification Fees

£76 RYA examination fee in 2026; tuition and center hosting charges separate

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. No owner-published pass-rate percentage is claimed. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Not published

A. General knowledge of maritime radiocommunications

CEPT A1–A4: services and stations, channels, GMDSS overview, A1 and awareness of A2, SAR organization and maritime safety information.

Not published

B. Practical knowledge of radio equipment

CEPT B1–B3: VHF controls, DSC categories and identities, antennas, position interfaces, power and battery care.

Not published

C. Procedures and subsystem operation

CEPT C1–C3: VHF distress, urgency and safety, protection of distress frequencies, false-alert cancellation, EPIRBs, locating devices and handhelds.

Not published

D. Radiotelephony procedures

CEPT D1–D2: voice distress, urgency and safety messages, phonetics, ordinary traffic, public correspondence and charging awareness.

Not published

E. Regulations for VHF communications

CEPT E1: documentation, operator certificate, ship licence, records, secrecy, prohibited transmissions and watchkeeping.

Preparing for the RYA SRC/VHF Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass the written and practical assessment; public numeric cutoff not stated
Assessment: Written theory and practical VHF/DSC assessment; confirm session timing with the recognized training center.
Time limit: Session timing confirmed by the recognized training center; no fixed total stated on the current public exam page
Exam / certification fees: £76 RYA examination fee in 2026; tuition and center hosting charges separate Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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RYA SRC/VHF: Suggested Study Strategy

1Map revision to CEPT A–E rather than invented percentage weights.

2Practice the actual radio controls on approved training equipment.

3Distinguish Channel 70 digital signaling from Channel 16 voice.

4After false alerts, follow reset/self-cancel instructions and transmit the voice cancellation.

5Use current GMDSS coverage definitions rather than fixed mileage or latitude boundaries.

6State position, identity and requested help clearly; do not guess unclear details.

7Check local channel allocations and licence territorial limits.

8Bring the documents for your accepted eligibility route.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the RYA SRC examination?

RYA administers the Marine Radio Short Range Certificate examination on behalf of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Ofcom separately licenses radio equipment. This material covers the UK RYA qualification; equipment licensing remains jurisdiction-specific.

What is the SRC examination format?

It includes written theory and practical radio assessment. The current public RYA examination page does not state a universal written question count, marks total, numeric passing percentage or fixed duration. Confirm session arrangements with the recognized training center; the practical component cannot be replaced by these study cards.

Is an SRC course the only eligibility route?

No. At age 16 or above, RYA accepts an SRC course completion certificate, an existing RYA Restricted VHF certificate or a suitable aviation radio operator certificate. Confirm the route and bring the required documentation, application and passport photograph. Online study does not by itself replace the examination.

How much does the examination cost?

The published 2026 RYA SRC examination fee is £76. Course tuition and any center hosting charge are separate and vary. Ask the center about any reassessment arrangements and costs; no universal retake charge or waiting-day count is stated on the public overview.

How does the operator certificate differ from a ship radio licence?

The SRC demonstrates the person’s radio competence. Ofcom’s Ship Radio or Ship Portable Radio Licence authorizes specified equipment under its conditions. Maintain correct licence and contact details and check territorial limits; a portable licence does not grant unrestricted international operation.

What must I do after a false DSC distress alert?

Follow the equipment’s reset instructions, complete the self-cancel function if supported, and broadcast a Channel 16 cancellation with identity, MMSI and alert time. A prescribed power-cycle is compatible with resetting; switching off and leaving the radio off is not cancellation. Notify the Coastguard and keep listening.

Does SRC alone qualify me to be a commercial skipper?

No. It is a radio-operator qualification. Commercial vessel operation can require separate skipper qualifications, medical and other requirements. Check the actual professional route rather than treating SRC as a commercial endorsement of a skipper certificate.