Asking for a radio check...

[DocV]

New guy question...

What is the proper way to ask for a radio check on Channel 9?

Thanks!

DocV

 

[arks]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

Good question- and channel 9 SHOULD be used for a radio check, not 16. More people need to learn this.

Here's a short blurb about proper VHF use:

"Because VHF radio requires that you take turns transmitting, it is normal to use pro-words such as ?over? and ?out? at the end of your transmission in order to let others know that the frequency is now open for them to transmit or reply. Generally, you will finish your transmission with ?over.? If you are making a final call and do not expect a reply, finish by adding ?out? at the end of your transmission. You should start every transmission by identifying who you are calling and then who you are (e,g, ?Coast Guard, this is ________?). Numbers are generally given digit by digit (for the number 60 you would say ?six zero? vs. ?sixty?). If you can remember, use the appropriate terminology, but don?t be overly concerned with the details."

With that in mind, your transmission should be short. Say your vessels name, followed by 'request radio check channel zero-nine, over'. After another boat responds, you can ask his location or just reply- again starting with your vessel name and 'thank you, out'.
If you don't get an immediate reply, wait at least 30 seconds before asking again. If you don't get a response after 2 requests than STOP. It means nobody wants to talk or your radio isn't working properly.

 

[LongLine]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

"Radio Check, Radio Check on 9 for the DocV. Radio Check please."

or if you really want fishermen to respond.

"Radio Check, Radio Check, This is DocV. I just got my third one in the cooler, Radio Check on 9 please." Works every time on the Great Lakes.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

I always wondered about that. If I want to call, say a lock I'm near. Or a marina. And my boat name is only written on the stern, or it's not named at all. How do they know who's calling? Like say I want to call a marina to request dockage. I guess the proper way is "Joe's marina, this is Random Boat Name, requesting dockage, over."

So the guy at the marina no know the boat name, which he won't see until I'm already docked and he can see the stern. Or if I don't have a boat name, then what? "This is Papa Alpha 12355, requesting dockage, over."?

It doesn't help that until now I haven't had a VHF so I've not been able to monitor chatter to hear the common usage.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

All of this seams trivial to me, however with 17 years military experience, proper radio etiquite is like second nature. It is not difficult to talk on a radio, just do not get nervous.

Always start your transmission with "You this is me". (ie. MarinaXXX, this is Pleaseure Boat Weekend Off, over). This identifies you and the calling station you are trying to raise. Also, by using "Over", you have indicated to everyone monitoring that you are expecting a reply.

Once radio contact has been established, continuing to use the call signs is not neccessary, but the use of "over" is until the conversation has ended, then use "out" when you end the last transmission of your call to indicate that there is no more traffic to follow and you are not expecting a response, the cnversation has ended...

For the Radio check to say the Coast guard, by transmission would sound like this: "Coast Guard Station Tybee, this is the Pleasure Boat Daddy's Daycare, radio check, over"

They could respond a couple of different ways:

"Daddy's Daycare, this is Coast Guard Station Tybee, Roger Out" (meaning they have acknowledge the check and read our transmission OK.

Or, depending on the radio operator, they could respond with:
"Daddy's Daycare, this is the Coast Guard Station Tybee, we read you Lima-Charlie, Out" (Lima-Charlie being the phonetic alphabet letters L and C to mean Loud and Clear.

The latter call is not REALLY proper etitiquite, but is commonly used by differing military personnel.

I hope this helps a little. Continue to ask if you want to know more or need clarification.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

BTW, if you are approaching a marina and requesting dockage or fuel service, etc., if they cannot find your boat name (being on the stern or not dislayed at all) they may ask you to describe your vessel.

"XXXMarina, this is Daddy's Daycare, roger. Vessel is an 18' Center Console, Gray and blue in color approaching from your South, over."

Radio talk is not hard...

 

[JZammetti]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

Great question, awesome answers, I've had my VHF handheld for 4 months, never tested it. I will this weekend.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

As long as we're discussing it.... What if I'm talking to no one in particular? For instance, when doing a radio check, if I'm not specifically looking for the coast guard to answer, then what? Just "Pleasure craft Boat Name requesting radio check. Over."? Any way to find out how far I'm broadcasting?

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

As long as we're discussing it.... What if I'm talking to no one in particular? For instance, when doing a radio check, if I'm not specifically looking for the coast guard to answer, then what? Just "Pleasure craft Boat Name requesting radio check. Over."? Any way to find out how far I'm broadcasting?

In the military, we start a call like that with "Any station this net, this is XXX, radio check over." The NET being the radio channel. If you were to make a call like this on a Coast Guard monitored channel, they will surely answer. You can also use, "Any vessel this channel, radio check, over." As long as you make it clear who you are calling and what you want...

"Any station" or "Any vessel" cleary indicates that anyone can respond back to you...

Good luck...

 

[bekosh]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

The best way to do a radio check, is to hail someone specifically instead of a general "Anyone out there?" A nearby marina would be a good canidate. That way you know how far away they are. It doesn't do alot of good to do a radio check and get answered by a boat on the next dock.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Asking for a radio check...

My boat isn't named so I use the brand name Sea Hunt on the side, so that if someone is nearby it will make sense, and also to assign me a name for replies.

 

[DocV]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

Thanks guys. I appreciate the responses. I'm active duty Navy, but I realized that in 23 years I never asked for a non-specific radio check. I was always calling another station or vessel. I didn't want to come up on 16 and ask the CG for a radio check. They are busy enough.

I'm finding there are sublte nuances between pleasure boating and being on the bridge of a Warship. I want to do it right without violating etiquette(or looking like too much of a yahoo)

 

[joed]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

Where I fish (eastern Lake Erie) the fishermen hang out on 68. If you just tune in and listen for a day you will get the idea of how it works. There are constantly people asking for radio or time checks along with the regular chatter about and what is being caught. The local marinas also monitor that channel so if you are near enough to port you can hear the calls for dockage or fueling as well.

 

[gstanton]

Re: Asking for a radio check...

Just to confuse things... in the Tampa St. Pete area ch 9 is for bridge tenders - and they will not respond to radio checks. Everyone, including the CG monitor ch 16 and move immediately to another channel to talk.