DP Tool Club 15/CD_ASCQ_15_070894.iso/vrac/hod005.zip/FILE6.005

Text File | 1994-05-24 | 27KB | 666 lines

                WHAT EVERY BOATER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
                        VHF-MARINE RADIO

by Byron Hill,  WBC3204 "Second Child" (Ham Call: KD4KMQ)
P.O. Box 120603, Nashville, TN  37212

INTRODUCTION

        Though licensing your boat's station is voluntary, you may not
 legally transmit on VHF Marine radio without a license, and you are
 required by law to know the FCC rules if you are using VHF Marine radio.
 In other words, you can have a VHF Marine radio on board, but if you intend
 to transmit on  it, you must license your station, and know the rules.
 Getting a license is simple.  You can write and order your Ship Station
 License Application (Form 506) from: FCC Forms Distribution Center, 2803
 52nd Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781, phone [phone]. (Note: This is an
 private forms distribution center under contract with the FCC, and the
 word is that they are slow.) You can get faster service by ordering Form
 506 direct from the FCC by calling 717-337-1212. There is a processing fee
 of $35 dollars payable with the application.  Your Ship Station License
 will be mailed back to you in a few weeks.  The FCC will assign your boat a
 call sign which is clearly printed on the license.  The license is good for
 five years.  If you are planning on leaving U.S. waters and making contact
 with foreign ports, you must also obtain a Restricted Radiotelephone
 Operator's Permit. The application for this permit is Form 753, available
 from the same sources mentioned above.  This will allow you to operate any
 licensed ship station outside of U.S. waters.

        The radio frequencies for the VHF Marine band lie between 156 and
 158 MHz, with some land based stations located between 161 and 163 MHz.
 Communications over distances are essentially "line of sight", meaning
 range will depend on antenna type and height more than the power of the
 transmitter. Generally the signals travel only twenty-five percent further
 than optical line of sight.  There are times of freak atmospheric
 conditions when VHF signals can be heard from as far away as 200 or 300
 miles, but reliable communications will rarely be possible under those
 conditions.

        A few minor notes about your radio.  Make sure your radio is set for
 "United States" frequencies.  Most of the top brand VHF Marine radios come
 with a selector for "international" frequencies.  If your radio is set to
 "international" you will not be able to receive transmissions on a few
 important channels, especially on the main Coast Guard working channel,
 Channel 22A.  Also, be aware of your output power. Boats in close proximity
 to the station they are calling should switch their radio to low power.
 This is especially important when you are in a marina.  High power in close
 transmissions in close proximity to the station you are calling can garble
 your sound quality, and will unnecessarily clutter the airwaves.  Otherwise,
 it's a good idea to keep your radio on high-power.  This will enable you
 to quickly respond with a full radio signal to any emergency situation.
 Some boaters leave their radio off for fear that the battery drain may be a
 problem.  This is simply not so. Battery drain by a VHF Marine transceiver
 while receiving is very slight, roughly one-half ampere.  This is not
 enough to cause concern over running down your boat's battery. For safety
 reasons, every boater should be encouraged to have their radio on.  This is
 safety courtesy that all boaters should extend to each other.  What good is
 a VHF Marine radio in an emergency situation, if no one is monitoring?

        There are two major reasons for communications afloat: safety and
 convenience.  Safety of course comes first, but your VHF Marine radio can
 greatly add to your convenience and pleasure on the water.  Most of this
 article deals with safety use of VHF Marine. The FCC rules are pretty clear
 about communications of convenience.  They must be necessary.  That is,
 they must be communications that cannot be delayed until they can be
 carried out by other means. Within these limitations for example, you can
 call a marina requesting information on fuel or dock space, but if you ask
 the marina restaurant what is on the menu for dinner, you could get into
 trouble with the FCC.  Social conversations on VHF Marine radio are
 prohibited as well, except for those conversations that are on the
 "public correspondence" channels connecting your boat with land telephones
 via the marine operator.  Marine operators are discussed later in this
 article.



THE IMPORTANT CHANNEL ASSIGNMENTS

        The band is divided into channel numbers.  You need to be especially
 familiar with some of these when operating your VHF Marine radio.  Below are
 the main channel numbers that are used by non-commercial vessels.  Attached
 later in this article is the complete list of channels, frequencies, and
 usage for the VHF Marine band.

 Channel 16
 This is the main calling and distress channel.  Always make
 your initial call to a boat or to shore on this channel,
 then after contact is made immediately switch to one of the
 working channels; 9, 68, 69, 71, 72,  or 78A, further
 described below. Proper contact language should be used to
 minimize how long you are on Channel 16.  Emergency calls to
 the Water Patrol or the Coast Guard are made on this channel
 as well.  (Note:  that state Water Patrols vary greatly as
 to which channels they monitor for emergency calls. The
 Kentucky Water Patrol monitors Channel 16 but mostly
 monitors Channel 19; the Tennessee Water Patrol turns off
 Channel 16 at times when the frequency is crowded and can
 always be reached on Channel 6). Never converse on Channel
 16 beyond the initial contact.  This is the FCC designated
 distress and safety channel that must remain as clear as
 possible for emergency contact.  By law, all recreational
 vessels are required to monitor Channel 16 when their radios
 are on and they are not communicating on another channel.

 Channel 22A
 This is the general working channel for the U.S. Coast
 Guard/Ohio Valley.  They monitor Channel 16 for distress and
 safety situations, but will normally ask you to move to this
 working channel for conversations.  Also, important local
 area river stage and hazard information is broadcast on this
 channel by the Coast Guard at 0400, 1100, 1600 and 2200 hrs.
 Central Time.  These broadcasts are announced briefly on
 Channel 16 just moments before they start on Channel 22A.
 You will find this information helpful and necessary if you
 are traveling long-distance on the rivers, or if you have a
 sailboat and the height of your mast is a concern for
 crossing under bridges.  Use of this channel is restricted
 to the Coast Guard, and you may not use this channel unless
 directed so by the Coast Guard.  This channel will appear on
 your radio as Channel 22.  The "A" only designates the
 United States frequencies.  Note that if your radio is set
 on "international" frequencies, you will not be able to
 receive transmissions on Channel 22A. Remember, always call
 the Coast Guard on Channel 16, not on Channel 22.

 Channel  6
 For ship-to-ship safety messages, and U.S. Coast Guard
 search and rescue, and monitored by the Tennessee State
 Water Patrol.   (See Emergency Calls below).

 Channel  9
 This is one of the working channels that you may use for
 conversations ship-to-ship, or ship-to-shore. This channel
 is shared with by non-commercial vessels and commercial
 vessels.

 Channel 13
 Though tug boats and commercial shipping sometimes monitor
 Channel 16, they mainly monitor Channel 13, and it can be
 the best way to get their attention in an emergency or any
 situation.  This is a working channel for commercial vessels
 and is used by the tug boats on inland rivers and lakes.  It
 is also used by draw bridges and some locks. For bridge to
 bridge communications it can be used by non-commercial
 vessels, but only when contacting a commercial vessel.  Do
 not use call signs on Channel 13, and your power must be
 limited to 1 Watt.  This low power output on Channel 13 is
 usually pre-programmed on most radios.  If not, your radio
 will have a power select button for switching to low power.

 Channel 14
 This channel is sometimes used by the Locks, and though they
 usually monitor Channel 16, they can be sometimes be reached
 on Channel 14.  This is the working channel that they use
 once initial contact is made.

 Channel 19
 Monitored by the Kentucky State Water Patrol.

 Channel 68
 Another non-commercial working channel. (Same as Channel 9).

 Channel 69
 Another non-commercial working channel. (Same as Channel 9).

 Channel 71
 Another non-commercial working channel. (Same as Channel 9).

 Channel 72
 Another non-commercial working channel, but for ship to ship
 use only. You may not establish ship to shore communications
 on this channel.

 Channel 78A
 Another non-commercial working channel.  (Same as Channel
 9). This channel will appear on your radio as Channel 78.
 The "A" only designates the United States frequencies. Note
 that if your radio is set on "international" frequencies,
 you will not be able to receive transmissions on Channel
 78A.

 Channel WX-1,  WX-2,  WX-3
 One of these channels will be your continuous local area
 weather broadcast (receive only).



INITIAL CONTACT AND GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS

 Proper words and contact procedures are necessary to
 minimize the use of Channel 16, and to best facilitate
 general communications.  Though there are no set rules
 regarding the order of words you use, below is a suggested
 contact procedure as described in many publications.
 Remember that it is better to name the boat you are calling
 first as follows:

 "Doo-Wah, Doo-Wah, Doo-Wah......this is the Plankwalker
 WZC5044"

 If there is no response, there are procedural rules that say
 you must wait two minutes before calling again.  If there is
 no response after three calls, the rules say you must wait
 fifteen minutes before starting another series of calls to
 the same boat, unless "there is no reason to believe that
 harmful interference will be caused to other communications
 in progress".  In this case, the fifteen minute delay can be
 reduced to three minutes. None of the above limitations
 apply in emergencies.  Once the initial contact is made, the
 next action to take is for one of the boats to establish a
 working channel.  This is usually done by the boat answering
 the initial call as follows:

 "Plankwalker, this is the Doo-Wah.....let's switch to
 channel 68, channel 68"

 Plankwalker should then answer back:

 "Plankwalker switching to channel 68"

 Once you have moved to a working channel, each skipper
 should initially call using their boat names, but the use of
 call signs is not required. After that, transmissions from
 each craft need not be identified. Your conversation on the
 working channel should be limited to the basic necessary
 communications relating to the needs of the ship.  This can
 be general information about where to meet, provisions
 needed, or relaying messages etc., but superfluous
 communications are strictly prohibited.  Each transmission
 as a whole should be as brief as possible.

 At times you will hear communications between boaters
 sounding a lot like Citizens Band (CB) radio.  The
 deregulation of CB Radio has allowed a lot of undesirable
 language and communication procedures to abound on that
 band.  Unfortunately some of this undesirable language has
 found it's way onto VHF Marine.  It is illegal to call on
 Channel 16 with time-wasting superfluous jargon like:

 "How 'bout ya Ironsides....how 'bout ya Ironsides .....this
 is The Lucky Lou.....you got your ears on?......Come back."

 You must remember that Channel 16 is not just for pleasure
 boating contact.  It is the FCC designated Distress, Safety,
 and Calling and Answering channel used by commercial and non-
 commercial shipping. The Coast Guard, the Water Patrol,
 Locks, Marinas, and many other concerns use Channel 16.
 The above type calling procedure would be considered
 at least incorrect if not illegal.  Also, general calls
 not to a specific station are illegal, except in cases
 of an emergency.

 Procedural words like "over", "clear",  "out",  "roger",
 "break",  "affirmative", and  "negative" , are not
 necessary, but can reduce the length of conversations and
 are therefore sometimes helpful.  Often times these words
 are used too much, or are misused.  The word "over" is best
 used only when communicating with someone who is not
 experienced with radio communications, or when radio
 reception conditions are bad.  The word "break" is often
 misused as a way to break into someone else's transmission.
 The proper use of the word "break" is for when you are
 communicating with more than one boat and want to change
 your transmission from one station to another.  It can also
 be used to mark a separation between formal messages if you
 are transmitting more than one message in a row.  Generally,
 the work "break" is not used very much.

 Requests for  a "radio check" or signal report on Channel 16
 is a clear violation of the FCC rules and subjects the radio
 operator to citation by the FCC.  Any signal report returned
 by a station on Channel 16 is also a separate violation
 subject to citation by the FCC.  Most calls for a "radio
 check" are unnecessary, but if you must obtain a report on
 your transmission, certain procedures and limitations are
 prescribed.  To get a report on your signal, make initial
 contact with another station on Channel 16 and switch to a
 working channel, then make your request for a signal report.
 Do not ever call the Coast Guard for a radio check or signal
 check.

 Hand-held VHF Marine radios are quite popular.  All of the
 same rules apply.  A hand-held unit may be used as the main
 ship radio or  be used as an "associated ship unit", off the
 main vessel, but in the vicinity, such as on a dinghy. When
 using your hand-held radio as an "associated ship unit",
 your call sign is that of the parent vessel followed by the
 designator "mobile".  Legally, an "associated ship unit" may
 only be used for contact with the parent vessel, and may not
 be used on shore even to call the parent vessel.


EMERGENCY CONTACTS

 There are three different levels of emergency calls as
 defined by the FCC.

 The Distress Call
 The highest priority is a Distress Call, limited to
 situations which a vessel is "threatened by grave and
 imminent danger and requests immediate assistance".  This
 type of distress radio traffic is identified by the word
 "mayday".  Do not call mayday if you are only out of fuel or
 having engine trouble.  Use your radio to call for help on
 Channel 16, but do not include the word "mayday" in the
 transmission.  If you must make a distress call, the
 procedure is as follows:

 "Mayday.....mayday.....mayday......this is [your boat name
 spoken three times and your call sign]".

 After a brief pause the following:

 "Distress Message.....Mayday.....[your boat's name, your
 position, the nature of your distress, the kind of
 assistance requested, and any other useful information such
 as your boat's description or conditions on board]".

 Then say:

 "I will be listening on Channel 16.....[the name of your
 boat and your call sign]".

 Monitor for a reply.

 If you hear someone sending a distress call using the word
 "mayday" on Channel 16, do not immediately respond.  Listen
 carefully for the Coast Guard or other authorities or a
 closer vessel to answer first, then if you hear no response
 within 30 to 60 seconds, respond to the distress call and
 offer help.  Your boat can be vital assistance to a vessel
 in distress even if you cannot get to the vessel.  For
 example, the position of your boat may be an important radio
 link for the vessel in distress, by relaying the distress
 information to authorities that may lie out of range from
 the distressed vessel.  When the Coast Guard or other
 authorities take over the communications in a distress
 situation, all traffic on Channel 16 is usually silenced,
 and you should voluntarily maintain radio silence until the
 situation is cleared.

 (Note:  that state Water Patrols vary greatly as to which
 channels they monitor for emergency calls. The Kentucky
 Water Patrol monitors Channel 16 but mostly monitors Channel
 19; the Tennessee Water Patrol turns off Channel 16 at times
 when the frequency is crowded and can always be reached on
 Channel 6).

 The Urgent Call
 The second highest emergency call is an Urgent Call.  A
 typical urgent situation would be running aground in
 deteriorating weather.  Such transmissions are initiated
 with the urgent signal "PAN-PAN" (pronounced "pahn-pahn")
 spoken three times.  An urgent call would be transmitted on
 Channel 16 as follows:

 "PAN-PAN....PAN-PAN...PAN-PAN... all stations....this is
 [your boat name followed by the nature of the emergency and
 other useful information]."

 End with your boat name and call sign.

 Sometimes an urgent situation may be best handled
 by a call to a local marina.  This of course depends on the
 nature of the situation.

 The Safety Call
 The third highest emergency communication is the Safety
 Call,  preceded by the word "securite" (pronounced say-
 curitay) spoken three times, and is most often used by the
 Coast Guard to alert vessels of safety changes on the water
 such as lost buoys, weather alerts, dangerous floating
 objects, missing craft, etc.  You may also transmit a safety
 call.  This call is made on Channel 16 as follows:

 "Securite...securite...securite all stations....[your boat
 name and call sign]...listen to channel 6 for a
 message...[your boat name] out."

 Switch to Channel 6 and begin your message the same way:

 "Securite...securite...securite all stations.....[your boat
 name and call sign]...[the safety message]...[your call
 sign]...out."

 Also alert the Coast Guard of the problem direct by calling
 them on Channel 16.  They will instruct you to go to Channel
 22 so that you can report the details of the problem to
 them.


BRIDGE TO BRIDGE COMMUNICATIONS WITH COMMERCIAL VESSELS

 These calls are made on Channel 13.  Do not call bridge to
 bridge to a commercial vessel on Channel 16 and switch to
 Channel 13.  Make your initial contact on Channel 13 and
 continue your communication there.



MARINE OPERATORS:

 You can make telephone calls with your VHF Marine radio by
 contacting the local area Marine Operator on Channel 16.  It
 is best though to know the working channel of your local
 area Marine Operator and make your initial contact on that
 channel.  Marine Operators monitor both Channel 16 and their
 working channel.  The VHF working channel assignments for
 Marine Operators are: 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 84, 85, 86, 87,
 and 88.  Making calls through the marine operator is simple,
 and the charges show up on your normal home or office
 telephone bill. For marine operator frequencies and
 information near you, contact your local marina.



COMPLETE VHF MARINE CHANNEL ASSIGNMENTS FOR U.S. WATERS

Channel        TX (MHz)  RX (MHz)    Purpose  w/(footnote
                    numbers)
------------------------------------------------------------
01A           156.050   156.050       Port Operations-
                    Commercial Intership &
                                        Ship to Coast (1)

05A           156.250   156.250       Port Operations-
                    Commercial Intership &
                                        Ship to Coast (2)

06            156.300   156.300       Intership Safety
                    Only/USCG Search &
                                        Rescue

07A           156.350   156.350       Commercial-Intership
                    & Ship to Coast

08            156.400   156.400       Commercial-Intership

09            156.450   156.450       Commercial & Non-
                    Commercial-Intership
                                        & Ship to Coast

10            156.500   156.500       Commercial-Intership
                    & Ship to Coast

11            156.550   156.550       Commercial-Intership
                    & Ship to Shore (1)

12            156.600   156.600       Port Operations-
                    Intership & Ship to
                    Coast (3)

13            156.650   156.650       Navigation-Bridge to
                    Bridge (4)

14            156.700   156.700       Port Operations-
                    Intership & Ship to
                    Coast (3)

15            N/A       156.750       Environmental
                    Information
                    (Receive Only) (5)

16            156.800   156.800       Distress, Safety,
                    and Calling &
                    Answering (5)

17            156.850   156.850       Maritime Control/
                    Great Lakes Weather
                    & Safety (6)

18A           156.900   156.900       Commercial-Intership
                    & Ship to Coast

19A           156.950   156.950       Commercial-Intership
                    & Ship to Coast

20            157.000   157.000       Port Operations-
                    Intership & Ship to
                    Coast

21A           157.050   157.050       USCG Internal working                                                       channel

22A           157.100   157.100       USCG Liason & working
                    channel
                                        Maritime Safety
                    Broadcasts

23A           157.150   157.150       USCG Internal working                                                       channel

24            156.200   161.800       Public Correspondence
                    (Marine Operator)

25            156.250   161.850       Public Correspondence
                    (Marine Operator)

26            156.300   161.900       Public Correspondence
                    (Marine Operator)

27            156.350   161.950       Public Correspondence
                    (Marine Operator)

28            156.400   162.000       Public Correspondence
                    (Marine Operator)

63A           156.175   156.175       Port Operations-
                    Commercial-Intership &
                                        Ship to Coast (1)

65A           156.275   156.275       Port Operations-
                    Intership & Ship to
                    Coast

66A           156.325   156.325       Port Operations-
                    Intership & Ship to
                    Coast

67            156.375   156.375       Navigational-Bridge
                    to Bridge (7)

68            156.425   156.425       Non-Commercial-
                    Intership & Ship to
                    Coast

69            156.475   156.475       Non-Commercial-
                    Intership & Ship to
                    Coast

70            156.525   156.525       Digital Selective
                    Distress, Safety,
                    Calling & Answering.

71            156.575   156.575       Non-Commercial-
                    Intership & Ship to
                    Coast

72            156.625   156.625       Non-Commercial-
                    Intership only

73            156.675   156.675       Port Operations-
                    Intership & Ship to
                    Coast

74            156.725   156.725       Port Operations-
                    Intership & Ship to
                    Coast

77            156.875   156.875       Port Operations-
                    Intership (8)

78A           156.925   156.925       Non-Commercial-
                    Intership & Ship to
                    Coast

79A           156.975   156.975       Commercial-Intership
                    & Ship to Coast (9)

80A           157.025   157.025       Commercial-Intership
                    & Ship to Coast (9)

81A           157.075   157.075       USCG Internal
                    working channel

82A           157.125   157.125       USCG Internal
                    working channel

83A           157.175   157.175       USCG Internal
                    working channel

84            157.225   161.825       Public Correspondence
                    (Marine Operator)

85            157.275   161.875       Public Correspondence
                    (Marine Operator)

86            157.325   161.925       Public Correspondence
                    (Marine Operator)

87            157.375   161.971       Public Correspondence
                    (Marine Operator)

88            157.425   162.025       Public Correspondence
                    (Marine Operator) (10)

88A           157.425   157.425       Commercial-Intership
                    (11)

WX-1          N/A       162.550       Weather (Receive Only)

WX-2          N/A       162.400       Weather (Receive Only)

WX-3          N/A       162.475       Weather (Receive Only)

WX-4          N/A       162.425       Weather (12)

WX-5          N/A       162.450       Weather (12)

WX-6          N/A       162.500       Weather (12)

WX-7         N/A       162.525       Weather (12)


FOOTNOTES AND DEFINITIONS FOR CHANNEL ASSIGNMENTS

(1)  Available for port operations and commercial
communications only within Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)
areas of New Orleans and Lower Mississippi River.

(2)  For VTS use in the Seattle Area.

(3)  For VTS use in designated port areas, and in the Great
Lakes primarily for Ship Movement  Service in the St.
Lawrence Seaway; may be used in other areas on non-
interference basis.

(4)  Primarily for navigation safety between ships;
available for VTS in Great Lakes, also used at
drawbridges and canal locks.  Power limited to one watt,
call signs omitted.  Not used in Lower Mississippi River.

(5)  Also used by Class C EPIRBs.

(6)  Used by State and Local Governments, power limited to
one watt, may be used for Great Lakes Weather broadcasts.

(7)  Navigational Safety between ships in Lower Mississippi
River.

(8)  Limited to communications with pilots regarding
movement and docking of ships. Power limited to one watt.

(9)  Also available for shared use by non-commercial vessels
on the Great Lakes only.

(10) In Puget Sound and Strait of Juan de Fuca and
approaches only.

(11) Only outside area of Puget Sound and Strait of Juan de
Fuca and approaches.

(12) Very seldom used.

RX   = Receive frequency.
TX   = Transmit frequency.
MHz  = Megahertz
USCG = United States Coast Guard

RESOURCES FOR THIS ARTICLE:
Federal Communications Commission/Gettysburg, PA
The United States Coast Guard/Ohio Valley
The United States Army Corp. of Engineers
Ingram  Industries/Nashville
Kentucky Water Patrol/Frankfort, KY
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency/Nashville, TN
Tennessee Valley Authority/Golden Pond, KY
Tennessee Valley Authority/Nashville, TN
Standard Radio Products, Inc.
"All About VHF Amateur Radio" by William Orr
"Communications Afloat" by Elbert S. Maloney
"Practical Sailor" by Belvoir Publications


For typeset versions of this article, contact the author:

  Byron Hill  P.O. Box 120603, Nashville, TN 37212.
  Phone: [phone] or Fax: [phone].