Scumbags

Steyr

Got this on another Forum.

Last night.

R115 was tasked to Barrow Harbour / Banna Strand, Vessel ran aground on sand bar, all power and communications lost on the vessel, one crew member swam to shore but not accounted for, Comms monitored on CH67/16.

R115 searched and made to EIKY to refuel, R115 resumes search then RTB as nothing found, Life boats also stood down, A land search continued, still no sign of the crewmember who swam ashore, Shannon CG Radio said info given was extremely vague, possible hoax....

RTE news then confirms it is a hoax, a PAN PAN was recieved by Valentia Radio, involved units were Fenit Lifeboat, Ballybunion Coast Guard Unit, Glenderry Coast Guard Unit, Banna Sea Rescue, And Rescue 115 out of Shannon......Gets better...

I also understand that possibly tasked to the Search were an Irish Air Corps CASA and P42 LE Ciara.

Whats the worst part was the fact the PAN PAN was made by someone who knew how to make one.

DISGUSTING BEHAVIOUR.

:mad:

RTE: http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1212/rescue.html

Lapin

Steyr wrote: »

DISGUSTING BEHAVIOUR.

:mad:

To say the least.

Lets hope the hoaxers are caught and put away for a long time.

SNAKEDOC

i'm sure the incident was reported to the gardai. however was the pan pan made on a radio or land line? if it was a radio there is little chance of tracing a radio signal. but you'd never know

donkey balls

Up to about two years ago there was a company based here in Ireland that sold radio transceivers which meant you could talk to the likes of ATC and aircraft once tuned into the Freq not like the normal scanners that you only listen into.
Afaik the online store stopped selling them as you need a licence from comreg to operate one,There could be a chance that one of these found it's way into some little b*ll*x hands I have one my self that I got in the US and is used only as a back up if the comms go while flying.:eek:
To think that there could be someone with an aviation/SAR back ground using one to act the mick is unreal my old companies flight ops dept was swipe card access due to the comms there and other security sensitive stuff.;)

Manic Moran

Up to about two years ago there was a company based here in Ireland that sold radio transceivers which meant you could talk to the likes of ATC and aircraft once tuned into the Freq not like the normal scanners that you only listen into.

It's a shame if they are no longer available. They have legitimate uses, and not only as a backup in case your main comms go down. For example, when I first soloed, my instructor stood at the runway threshold with one and acted, effectively, as 'Paddles' as I came in.

if it was a radio there is little chance of tracing a radio signal. but you'd never know

Out of interest, is there no direction finding equipment, at least set on the mayday freqs? It would seem a logical and fundamental aid for the instances where the calling person is unable to give a position, or to verify any position he thinks he's at.

NTM

donkey balls

The transceiver can be obtained through companies in the US thats how I got mine;)(at the time they cost about 580e in Ireland) mine including shipping cost about 230e.
As for finding the direction of the broadcast im not sure if we have equipment here to do that,Even if your on 121.5 although the PLB send out a signal to the SARSAT giving your position.

Stovepipe

Hi there,
Portable transcievers, such as Icoms or Sportys do not need a radio station license precisely because they have no fixed base. Base station radios which are permanently fitted in place and all permanently fitted aircraft radios do need a radio station license.
regards
Stovepipe

pclancy

I've often used them for maritime and sometimes aeroclub related stuff. Didnt think there were any legal issues.

Very bad to see rescue resources screwed with though. Hopefully karma will bite the hoaxer in the ass.

murphym7

donkey balls wrote: »

Up to about two years ago there was a company based here in Ireland that sold radio transceivers which meant you could talk to the likes of ATC and aircraft once tuned into the Freq not like the normal scanners that you only listen into.
Afaik the online store stopped selling them as you need a licence from comreg to operate one,There could be a chance that one of these found it's way into some little b*ll*x hands I have one my self that I got in the US and is used only as a back up if the comms go while flying.:eek:
To think that there could be someone with an aviation/SAR back ground using one to act the mick is unreal my old companies flight ops dept was swipe card access due to the comms there and other security sensitive stuff.;)

The PAN PAN was made on a marine VHF.

searescue

Ya, Marine VHF, then stated that as he had gone aground and engines weren't running he had lost GPS and shortly after "lost radio contact".

Navy were also going to assist us with RIB's but we had more or less stood down by the time they were nearby so Shannon called it off. They stayed around the reported area though for the night.

Quaderno

Stovepipe wrote: »

Hi there,
Portable transcievers, such as Icoms or Sportys do not need a radio station license precisely because they have no fixed base. (...)

Which of course does NOT mean that you are allowed to operate (or even possess) any such transmitting equipment without proper licensing by either ComReg or the Department of Transport. There are very few exemptions from that rule which include PMR and CB radios for general recreational use on very specific parts of the frequency spectrum. Just to avoid any confusion. And we can clearly see why...

Stovepipe

Hi Quad,
The sale and use of the Icom transciever and it's equivalent is completely legal in the State.Hundreds of Irish pilots, self included, have them and use them daily.There probably isn't a flight instructor or a school in the country without one. Like I said, portable radios do not need radio station licenses, fixed-base radios do. Im involved in homebuilt and vintage aircraft and many of them use portables, completely legally and with the IAA and Comregs knowledge.
regards
Stovepipe

Manic Moran

What if I taped your IComm to the desk?

NTM

Stovepipe

Hi there,
You could tape it to your inside leg for all I care but as long as it's not permanently mounted (wired into) an aircraft or a base station, then it is strictly not a radio station.
regards
Stovepipe

Quaderno

Stovepipe wrote: »

Like I said, portable radios do not need radio station licenses, fixed-base radios do.

That's possibly right as far as the licence for the device itself is concerned. But you are still most likely not allowed to hold or use any "apparatus for wireless telegraphy" without being licensed properly as a person.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1926/en/act/pub/0045/sec0003.html#sec3 wrote:

3.—(1) Subject to the exceptions hereinafter mentioned, no person shall keep or have in his possession anywhere in Saorstát Eireann or in any ship or aircraft to which this section applies any apparatus for wireless telegraphy save in so far as such keeping or possession is authorised by a licence granted under this Act and for the time being in force.

Am I completely wrong in my understanding of the law (which is entirely possible) or do you have to get the required certifications and licenses before you are allowed to own and operate any transmitting device other than PMR and CB radios, your wifi-adapter, you remote locking car keys and your mobile phone? Because that's the way I would read it...

Maybe somebody with deeper knowledge of the matter than myself can clarify that, but I simply can't believe that I would not get into deep trouble when using a maritime or aviation radio transceiver without a proper licence, "certificate of competence" or similar, even when it's "only" a handheld one. Remember, I am not talking about scanners/ receivers here, but transmitters. If you are a pilot though and hold all relevant certifications I can't see any problem when you use a handheld radio for aviation purposes in the context of a flying school or whatever. But that should still not legally enable me as a non-pilot without the required knowledge to do the same.

At least in Germany (where I come from) interfering with the radio regulations could bring you into jail in no time, and rightly so. Aviation and maritime radio is nothing anyone should be allowed to tamper with, the possible consequences are far to serious.

drBill

To use marine VHF on the water, you must have a certificate of competency and you can only use it on a vessel with a SRL (ships radio licence) and call sign. You are not permitted to use marine VHF on land at all unless it's from a licensed fixed station. But of course anyone can buy and use one and occasionally clowns like these will pull stunts like this.

As far as I know, the authorities tend to take a fairly soft stance about unlicensed operators and vessels when it comes to marine VHF, the logic being that it's better that people at sea have unlicensed radios than none at all. In an ideal world this wouldn't happen of course, but in practice it translates into greater safety for the user and somewhat better rescue operations.

Stovepipe

Hi there,
You can use an aviation transciever here quite freely.A lot of microlight, homebuilt and vintage aircraft have no electrical installation or permanent radio fit, so a handheld is used instead. A lot of other services, such as the Gardai/Army/Civil Defence and so on would use portable aviation transcievers, as well. Plenty of spotters have them, too. Every airport would have a supply for it's vehicles and ground staff. There are a few incidents of outright interference/abuse with them every year, but these events are rare enough. Try listening to microlights on 130.4, as an example of free use.
regards
Stovepipe