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In the SailQuiz app · 12 modules · 590+ questions

Marine Radio: Short Range Certificate (SRC)

Quiz-based marine radio theory. Learn VHF operation, channels, distress, urgency and safety procedures, Digital Selective Calling (DSC), GMDSS, licensing, and practical radio procedures with clear explanations and exam-style scenarios.

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Free to download · No account needed · Works offline

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Pick a module, take a short quiz, then read the explanations and review the questions you missed.

Quiz scores help you choose what to study next. They do not certify competence or predict an exam result.

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What's inside

  1. Licensing, Legal Framework, and Operator Responsibilities
  2. Radio Basics
  3. VHF Sets, Controls, Antennas, and Power
  4. Channel Plan and Working Channels
  5. Routine Radiotelephony Procedure, Prowords, and the Phonetic Alphabet
  6. DSC, MMSI, and Routine DSC Use
  7. Distress Procedures: DSC, MAYDAY, and Distress Relay
  8. Urgency, Safety, and Medical Assistance Procedures
  9. Coast Stations, Port Operations, Ship Movement, and Inter-Ship Traffic
  10. GMDSS, Sea Area A1, SAR, and MSI
  11. NAVTEX, EPIRB, SART, Handheld VHF, and Alerting Devices
  12. Testing, Watchkeeping, Best Practice, and Practical Exam Scenarios

Who it's for

Sailors preparing for an SRC/VHF radio certificate exam or refreshing correct distress, urgency, and routine radio procedures.

Supplementary SRC/GMDSS theory practice. Channel use and licensing depend on jurisdiction; use your local authority’s guidance and radio manual. This is not an approved SRC course or assessment.

Topics covered

  • VHF operation
  • Channel plan
  • MAYDAY & distress
  • DSC & MMSI
  • GMDSS
  • Phonetic alphabet
  • EPIRB & SART
  • Radio licensing

How you'll study

  • Exam-style quizzes with a clear explanation for every question
  • Smart review that resurfaces what you get wrong
  • Module progress to help you choose what to practise next
  • Fully offline — study anywhere, no account needed

Sample practice questions

Try these before you download. Pick an answer, then reveal the explanation — every one of the 590+ questions in the app is explained the same way.

Which VHF channel is used to make an initial distress, urgency, or safety call by voice?

  1. A.Channel 6
  2. B.Channel 13
  3. C.Channel 16
  4. D.Channel 72
Reveal answer and explanation

Answer: C. Channel 16

Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the international distress, safety, and calling channel. Routine traffic then moves to a working channel.

What does a MAYDAY call indicate?

  1. A.You need a radio check
  2. B.Grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance
  3. C.An urgent message about the safety of navigation
  4. D.A medical question for a coast station
Reveal answer and explanation

Answer: B. Grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance

MAYDAY indicates grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance. PAN-PAN is an urgency signal concerning the safety of a vessel or person when distress criteria are not met. Choose the signal from the actual circumstances, not merely the type of equipment failure.

What is an MMSI?

  1. A.A nine-digit identity number programmed into your DSC radio
  2. B.The radio's serial number
  3. C.A distress frequency
  4. D.The callsign of a coast station
Reveal answer and explanation

Answer: A. A nine-digit identity number programmed into your DSC radio

The Maritime Mobile Service Identity identifies a station in DSC transmissions, including distress alerts. Obtain and programme it through the authorised process for your jurisdiction; ship and operator licensing requirements vary.

Scope & sources

Page copy and samples checked on . SailQuiz’s questions are independently authored, not official exam questions. A complete mapping to a certifying body’s syllabus has not been established.

Study Marine Radio: Short Range Certificate (SRC) in the SailQuiz app

590+ questions with explanations, smart review, and offline study — free to download.

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SailQuiz is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, accredited by, or otherwise connected to the ASA, US Sailing, the RYA, the USCG, or any other certifying body, and it is not a substitute for their official training or examinations.