vhf radios

[boatdrinks]

i have a new vhf radio and was wondering where i could find info on proper radio etiquette as well as properly calling the cg for assistance if needed.. any suggestions will help [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

[Badger]

Try "A Boater's Guide to VHF and GMDSS" by Sue Fletcher, $16.95, available at West Marine and others.

It has good coverage of VHF protocol, standard procedures, calling etiquette, channel usage, lingo, etc. and using your VHF radio for calling other vessels, the coast guard, and distress calls. Good information, especially if you're not too familiar with them and if you ever NEED to reach someone in an emergency, you'll be glad you spend the time in advance.

The book also discusses the new Global Maritime Distress and Safety System and how it will be implemented in the next few years. This part may be more than you need right now, but no harm knowing what's coming down the pipeline.

[Orca]

Go here - http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/public/pubframe.htm

Pick "Safe Boating Information" on the left frame.

Scroll down to "Marine VHF Radios" in the main frame, then select "FCC's Fact Sheet #14, "SHIP RADIO STATIONS,".

Now select "How to operate your marine VHF radio" near the top.

In general, all hailing (attempting to contact someone) occurs on channel 16. If your buddies radio can watch multiple channels, you could just contact them on the other channel, say 68 or 78. There is no requirement to have your radio turned on, but if it is turned on, and you are not using it for communication on another channel, you must monitor channel 16 for emergency calls from other vessels.

Lets say I want to contact my fishing buds - I switch to chan. 16 and make the call "Dive Buddy, this is Orca, Over" No CB lingo required or desired. Proper procedure says you use none of the following - "are you out there", "do you have your ears on, "come in good buddy" - just the basics as shown - "Dive Buddy, this is Orca, Over". My buddy should come back and say "Orca, this is Dive Buddy, lets move to channel 78, Out" You don't chat and talk about fishing or anything else on channel 16, you must move to another working channel and free up 16 for other hailing or emergency calls. "Out" means I am done communicating on this channel, and I desire no reply. "Over" means I have completed my transmission, and I expect a reply and continued conversation on this channel. There is no "Over and Out" or "Over and Out good buddy" or "10-4 good buddy".

If I need to call the CG, it is "Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay, this is pleasure craft Orca, Over" The CG comes back "Pleasure craft Orca, this is CG Station Yaquina Bay, Over" I might then say "Yaquina Bay, this is Orca, do you have any bar restrictions in effect at the current time, Over" The Station will then have me move to working channel 22A and finish the conversation away from channel 16. If your boat has no name, then you should call then using your OR numbers - "... this is pleasure craft OR374ZL, Over"

If you have an emergency, then you broadcast to no-one in particular (to everyone then) MayDay, Mayday, Mayday, this is pleasure craft Orca, I am taking on water and am in danger of sinking, my current location is North... W.... Wait for the CG to respond, but if they or nobody else replies, broadcast the same again.

This should get you started. E-Mail me or post if you have more questions.

[ 07-25-2003, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: Orca ]