Re: vhf radio
So many questions, so little time. <br /><br />Picked this up off of the U.S. Coastguard website.<br /><br /><br />Radio Watchkeeping Regulations<br />If you have a VHF-FM radio, there are certain regulations in place for monitoring/listening to your radio. Please read our radio watchkeeping section for more information. <br /><br />Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!...Sending a distress call<br />You may only have seconds to send a distress call. Here's what you should do:<br /><br />Transmit, in this order: <br /><br />If you have an MF/HF radiotelephone tuned to 2182 kHz, send the radiotelephone alarm signal if one is available. If you have a VHF marine radio, tune it to channel 16. Unless you know you are outside VHF range of shore and ships, call on channel 16 first. <br />Distress signal "MAYDAY", spoken three times. <br />The words "THIS IS", spoken once. <br />Name of vessel in distress (spoken three times) and call sign or boat registration number, spoken once. <br />Repeat "MAYDAY" and name of vessel, spoken once. <br />Give position of vessel by latitude or longitude or by bearing (true or magnetic, state which) and distance to a well-know landmark such as a navigational aid or small island, or in any terms which will assist a responding station in locating the vessel in distress. Include any information on vessel movement such as course, speed and destination. <br />Nature of distress (sinking, fire etc.). <br />Kind of assistance desired. <br />Number of persons onboard. <br />Any other information which might facilitate rescue, such as length or tonnage of vessel, number of persons needing medical attention, color hull, cabin, masks, etc. <br />The word "OVER" <br />Stay by the radio if possible. Even after the message has been received, the Coast Guard can find you more quickly if you can transmit a signal on which a rescue boat or aircraft can home. <br /><br />For example:<br />MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY<br />THIS IS BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK WA1234<br />CAPE HENRY LIGHT BEARS 185 DEGREES MAGNETIC-DISTANCE 2 MILES<br />STRUCK SUBMERGED OBJECT<br />NEED PUMPS-MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND TOW<br />THREE ADULTS, TWO CHILDREN ONBOARD<br />ONE PERSON COMPOUND FRACTURE OF ARM<br />ESTIMATE CAN REMAIN AFLOAT TWO HOURS<br />BLUE DUCK IS THIRTY TWO FOOT CABIN CRUISER-WHITE HULL-BLUE DECK HOUSE<br />OVER<br /><br /><br />Repeat at intervals until an answer is received. <br /><br />If you hear a distress call...<br />If you hear a distress message from a vessel and it is not answered, then you must answer. If you are reasonably sure that the distressed vessel is not in your vicinity, you should wait a short time for others to acknowledge.<br /><br />MF/HF Radiotelephone<br />Your VHF radio is intended mainly for short range communications, generally 5-10 miles, and at least 20 miles to a USCG station. To communicate at longer ranges, you will normally need a satellite telephone or an MF/HF marine radiotelephone. Marine radiotelephone equipment normally operates between 2 - 26 MHz using single sideband emissions. MF/HF marine radiotelephones can also be used to receive high seas weather broadcasts, and by using a computer and a special interface provided by some coast stations, can provide Internet email. <br /><br />Lots more at their website. <br />
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/boater.htm
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