VH radio check

[irob]

Can anybody tell me the proper way to do a radio check to make sure mine is working correctly. Like what is the correct channel and what exactly i should say. thanks

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: VH radio check

Rob,

Welcome to Iboats.

Use any non-USCG channel (i.e 68, 69, 72, etc.); pick a channel that is commonly used in your area; go to that channel and que the mic and say "Channel ** radio check." Some one should reply something like this "Lound and clear at location xxxx". That should let you know if you are transmitting and about how far.

 

[Ned L]

Re: VH radio check

To re-enforce what Greg said, it is NOT acceptable to call the Coast Guard on the calling & distress channels of 16 & 9 for a radio check (they are not there as a radio check service). If you want to find out if you radio is working on those channels, it is acceptable to contact the Coast Guard for a weather report, or other relevant information. After answering your question they will usually let you know how well they are receiving your signal.

 

[WN2712NJ]

Re: VH radio check

Also, there is probably a non-emergency channel the the Coast Guard monitors in your area. I'm betting you could Goggle it, but what I did was just leave my radio in scan mode for awhile, after an hour or two I learned that here on Puget Sound they use 22A for non-emergency communication.

Probably best to use your radio as a scanner for a few days first anyway, to pick up "local knowledge". You will learn which channels are used by the local fisherman, marinas, etc.

You should identify yourself in all communications (I'm pretty sure this is a FCC requirement for all radio operators, it certainly is for Ham) at the beginning and end of a conversation. The VHF marine band does not require a radio operator's license in the USA, so AFAIK you are free to use a call sign of your own making. Convention for larger boats seems to be to use the vessel name (e.g MV Spokane). For my 14 foot skiff I just use the registration tag, pronounced phonetically, e.g. two seven one two november juliet (this is also what non-airline aircraft do).

For example, I would ask CG Puget Sound for a radio check on 22A by calling "Coast Guard Puget Sound, this is two seven one two november juliet, radio check please". After they respond I would say "this is two seven one two november juliet, thank you, out", or "this is two seven one two november juliet, thank you, good day" to make it clear I am done using the channel. Some minimalists might claim that the "this is" is superfluous and wastes bandwidth, but this doesn't seem to be as critical an issue as it is with aircraft.

Speak a little slower than normal, and if they respond that you are not clear, try adjusting your technique (e.g. move the mike a little closer or farther from your mouth) before changing h/w.

-dm

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: VH radio check

don't call the coast guard for a radio check. If they answer at all, you won't like it.

Around here there is an automated radio check on 28.

68 is the fishing channel around here. All day long people call it for radio checks; few people answer any more b/c it's so constant and annoying.

If you really want to check it, have a friend on another boat, and communicate by radio and cell phone to confirm. Not on 16 or 9.

VHF's work on sight lines--the antennas have to be able to "see" each other, so taller is better. Keep the antenna vertical even on a handheld. Range is about a watt per mile (if you have sight lines) so a handlheld is only good for a few miles--and distance is deceiving on the water.

 

[dan t.]

Re: VH radio check

In Canada call the coast guard on 83 and request a radio check, they are happy to help, do not call on 16 this makes them very unhappy

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: VHF radio check

Re: VHF radio check

In Canada call the coast guard on 83 and request a radio check, they are happy to help, do not call on 16 this makes them very unhappy

A small but important correction, that channel is 83 Alpha (US mode)

 

[sasto]

Re: VH radio check

It's acceptable to do a radio check on channel 16. You must hail a known vessel or marina in your area, not just any boat. Once answered, switch to another working channel and begin your conversation.

That said...this was the procedure I was taught by the USCG and was in my captain's test. I still use it today. Never a problem. If things have changed, I certainally would like to know.

sasto,sasto....this is irob, 1 6, over./ irob, this is sasto, switch to channel 7 2 over/....7 2, sasto/..(switch to 72)...sasto, do you read me, over/........loud and clear, irob, over,....thank you ,sasto, back to 1 6.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: VH radio check

true, sasto--always OK to call a specific person--different from a broadcast "radio check" to all o channel.

Good point, too, for novices: once you make contact you switch off to another channel. I have often had USCG switch me to cell phone in an emergency call.

 

[Cutter47]

Re: VH radio check

I don't understand why Coast Guard would switch you to cell phone in an emergency situation. Channel 16 is after all for hailing and DISTRESS.

Switching to cell phone is a dangerous practice... Battery could go dead, Could steam into an area with no coverage, Takes other boats in area out of loop of commumication, cell phone could get wet.. thats just a few off the top of my head

If Coast Guard asked me to switch to cell phone in an emergency situation I would refuse.

Just my 2 cents

 

[shrew]

Re: VH radio check

I have often had USCG switch me to cell phone in an emergency call.

Often???? How frequently do you need to make emergency broadcasts to the coast guard?

Are we talking about Pan-Pan, Securite, MayDay?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: VH radio check

Calling in situations in from a base station on a remote location. The distresses were not our own, and were not extreme. I undertand the points you all make and agree that if I were standing in a sinking boat, it wouldn't make sense, but from base to base, it did, and we could always go back to radio. It was not your typical situation.

So, for example, if you were calling in an oil spill or a haznav, they might switch you over.