The other day I used Sea Tow's automated radio check system in Tampa Bay and it was kind of cool. You go to VHF channel 27 and transmit your request and in a couple of seconds a recording of your transmission will be played back. You can verify for yourself loudness and modulation. Is mostly available on the weekends when boaters are out. It may have been available for a while but the other day I just happened to pay attention as they redirected someone to channel 27.
Radio Check
- Thread starter Benny
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What a great idea. Now if only the general public were informed about it, it might just help clear up the radio (especially on weekends).
BTW, I looked online but couldn't find out if Eastern Long Island Sound is covered yet. It mentions that Rhode Island is, and it sounds like most of Mass. is. Does anyone know if Eastern Long Island is covered yet?
BTW, I looked online but couldn't find out if Eastern Long Island Sound is covered yet. It mentions that Rhode Island is, and it sounds like most of Mass. is. Does anyone know if Eastern Long Island is covered yet?
I read about it their publication. It didn't specify a procedure if I remember correctly. It would be a great asset - I'm always wondering if my radios are transmitting properly and I hate those annoying radio checks. I wasn't able to raise Sea Tow on my VHF to ask about it, so I called the number on my card and got an answering service - uhmmmmmm. You would think Eastern Long Island would be covered since the business was started in Southold and is headquartered here.
Anyway, I'll try channel 27. Thanks.
Anyway, I'll try channel 27. Thanks.
Very cool Wrightsville Beach is listed I'm going to try it tomorrow. The Coast Guard here says to do radio checks on channel 22 but if i can hit the automated system on 27 then that will be really great.
You need a willing person on the other end. This way, you're not relying on the good graces of anyone else. I'll have to try it this weekend and see if they provide that service here.
Well, it has been publicized to at least some degree up here:
http://www.pressherald.com/life/out...k-radio-should-clear-channels_2010-06-13.html
Sea Tow has also put out press releases in certain markets:
http://www.seatow.com/media_center/media_pressreleases.asp
I JUST NOTICED that they used a handheld tuned to Ch. 16 for a graphic in that article!!! After a specific reference NOT to use it for radio checks!
http://www.pressherald.com/life/out...k-radio-should-clear-channels_2010-06-13.html
Sea Tow has also put out press releases in certain markets:
http://www.seatow.com/media_center/media_pressreleases.asp
I JUST NOTICED that they used a handheld tuned to Ch. 16 for a graphic in that article!!! After a specific reference NOT to use it for radio checks!
How about it's incredibly annoying to hear calls for radio checks all day long? One weekend, we heard a guy who identified himself as a ??-foot Grady White that must have called for radio checks on Ch. 9 almost every hour. People were getting back to him each time. The last time,I finally came back to him and said something like "You're loud and clear at (wherever we were at the time) -- just as loud and clear as you've been all weekend every time you've called for a radio check!" Believe it or not, I did say this with a smile in my voice.
He actually laughed. Then we never heard him ask for another radio check.
Since we often stay in marinas (and usually use doubled-up lines, rather than asking for assistance casting off), I've adopted the practice of calling the marina as I leave the dock and saying: "Persephone is clear of your docks. Thank you for your hospitality, and have a nice day."
It gives me a radio check and usually results in being favorably remembered for the next visit.
As to "responses I wish I'd made," I was sailing down Buzzards Bay listening to an annoying "radio check" requester (repeatedly) on Ch 16. A voice in the best imitation Aussie accent came on the radio and said "loud and clear Mate, in Sydney Australia." No more repetitions.
Fair winds,
Al - s/v Persephone
It gives me a radio check and usually results in being favorably remembered for the next visit.
As to "responses I wish I'd made," I was sailing down Buzzards Bay listening to an annoying "radio check" requester (repeatedly) on Ch 16. A voice in the best imitation Aussie accent came on the radio and said "loud and clear Mate, in Sydney Australia." No more repetitions.
Fair winds,
Al - s/v Persephone
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This service is available in the Hampton Roads area on channel 28, provided by Sea Tow, Little Creek, Va. Response is good in Portsmouth/Norfolk at Hospital Point and as far away as Hampton. Note: channel 28 and 27 are normally used as ship to shore radio/telephone operater services. Wonder what conditions FCC placed on Sea Tow?
Sea Tow is in partnership with Maritel, which had essentially become the main provider of ship-to-shore telephone service in most places. I suspect Maritel has FCC's blessing for use of the channels and Sea Tow is tagging along??
The other advantage of this service, versus calling on Ch. 9, is that you get to hear your own transmission played back so you know just how you sound.
the easiest way to accomplish a radio check is a second radio (you do have at least two radios on your boat, don't you?). Just switch to a working channel, transmit something, and see if it comes through on the other radio.
Only problem with that method is that transmitting 40' is different from transmitting several miles.
Two ????
I think if 2 radio's so close together will not mean everything is working good,many times the radio has bad connection and can't get out very far to other boaters even if you can hear them.
In a busy area some one will repond even if it is to yell out you or worse cal you some kind of jerk but than you will know it is working,just don't do it when some one is talking more important things,do it quikly and wait before trying again.
I think if 2 radio's so close together will not mean everything is working good,many times the radio has bad connection and can't get out very far to other boaters even if you can hear them.
In a busy area some one will repond even if it is to yell out you or worse cal you some kind of jerk but than you will know it is working,just don't do it when some one is talking more important things,do it quikly and wait before trying again.
Well I tried 27 from Carolina Beach I guess it was too far so it didn't work. Tried radio check on 09, nothing, tried on 22 , nothing. Finally had to call a buddy on my cell phone to get a radio check. Worked just fine.. I guess nobdy wanted to talk to me ... oh well ..I just feel so unloved.
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