Radio check

[Tom Patik]

I don't care!

As long as channel 16 is left alone, I'm not much bothered by what others do as my radio is normally left OFF. I sail to get away from issues, all issues. Tom PatikBeyond The Sea Long Beach, CA

 

[Ernie]

Radio protocol

I come from an aviation backround. I am appauled to hear the abuse and misuse of VHF radios in marine use. I realize most people do not have any traing on how to use the radio properly, But common sense should dictate short broadcasts for a purpose. No person should be on the radio just to hear themselves talk.The VHF radio is an important safety tool to be used when needed for emergency or important communications. Chit chat should be done by using other bands with other radios.Always listen to the emergency channels when sailing. You may be able to help someone in distress. You may need that same help someday.

 

[John Nantz]

Use LOW Power!

Just two comments:(1) Tom Lackney hit the nail on the head when he said to use LOW power when it's possible. In an area with a lot of radio traffic the use of high power wastes a lot of capacity. Many times I've listened to people talking who were close to each other yet they were transmitting at high power.(2) I'm firmly in the "pilot" camp with regard to the slip-shod way the VHF radio frequencies are used. Pilots have to keep it short and sweet and stick ONLY to business. No unnecessary chatter and the use standardized "short hand" is expected. Sometimes when you're out in the middle of nowhere and it's around midnight one can say a few extra words but, frankly, it feels a bit "funny" because you have the appropriate radio use so ingrained.It would be good for everybody if the boating community could get their act together and get more "civilized".

 

[Robin Mc leroy]

No PROTOCOL

I'M sorry to say there is prctically no protocol used in the Tampa Bay area while I'm there, usually during the week. I never hear a call sign or any other type of protocol. I used mine until I realized no one else did. I would like to see the correct protocol followed. Otherwise it will soon go the way that CB did. In other words it will be of no value at all. I'm going to try using protocol again and see if it will encourage others to do so.I stay on 16 all the time I'm out.

 

[Dana Smith]

Maybe we should all do better

Here on Lake Michigan, it seems that 10 or so years ago it was not nearly as bad as these days. Not only much more radio trafic but less and less protocol as well.Possibly if we all make a better effort to establishing the standards others would catch on. Maybe not all are knuckleheads but simply do not know what, when and how to say things.On the other hand, I may go a season without using the VHF so that won't work.I just hope nobody needs help around this area on a hot summer weekend afternoon as actually contacting the CG would be next to impossible if needed.

 

[Dan Hawryschuk, S/V Floridays]

VHF

On Floridays we have 2 fixed VHF sations. One at the helm, one at the Nav, and a portable unit. We are also equipped with SSB. I have been sailing for 30 years and find that proper radio protocol is being observed less and less. Used to be that the Coast guard was more stringent in such matters. In the last few years VHF has gone the way of CB. I can't recall the last time someone used their call letters. I feel if the proper procedures were used the discussions around bandwidth would diminish. With the availability of cell phone coverage, last spring in our travels North on the Intra-coastal, our cell phone was the most practical tool for communication. The chit chat on the VHF channels was too frustrating. The bridge hailing frequencies were relativly clear. SSB is becoming a most effective internet tool for those who are using PC's on their boats.

 

[John Buckham]

R-a-d-i-o

>>Do you have a VHF or SSB or both on >>your boat? YesI have Marine VHF, also HAM HF, 6,2 and 70 cm. Also a pair of FRS radios. I am a licensed amateur radio operator.>>Do you mainly use your radio for >>receiving weather forecasts, >>communicating with marinas, >>emergencies, or for talking with >>sailing buddies? Weather forecasts mainly. We transmit very rarely on Marine frequencies. What little I do is usually boat to boat communication when we are under way. We save the chit-chat for FRS. If the others in the group are licensed amateur radio operators, then we use those frequencies.>>Are you fully licensed and a stickler >>for radio protocols, calling "Safe >>Haven Marina" three times and signing >>off properly with your call letters? >>Or are you pretty casual about the >>whole process preferring to get off >>and on the air as quickly as >>possible? Does the use or misuse of >>the radio by others drive you nuts?I try to pretty much stick to classic radio protocols, although not fanatic, I do sign off with my call when I'm done, it's a carry over from the amateur radio service.I don't hear too much misuse of the marine bands around here, people try to keep it pretty short and sweet on 16 - moving on to more appropriate channels after the hail is complete.>>Do you always monitor channel 16 when >>you're out on the water?Yes, it's a requirement, if the radio is on, it's on channel 16. On a couple off occasions we have been able to aid assistance.

 

[Howard Zwicker]

It's not a toy

The VHF radio should be used only for warnings, emergencies and business, e.g., contacting marinas, Coast Guard, other boats, etc., for info about sailing conditions, etc. People who want to gossip and chit-chat about trivia should use a CB radio or a cell phone. I keep my VHF on Channel 16 all the time while under way so I will be able to pick up on warnings, emergencies, etc. I always use proper protocol, and I think profanity on a VHF radio is entirely inappropriate.

 

[Captain Kimo]

Handheld VHS a MUST HAVE

>Do you have a VHF or SSB or both on your boat?* I have a Handheld VHF only. As I sail mostly on Lake Mead SSB is not required. > Do you mainly use your radio for receiving weather forecasts, communicating with marinas, emergencies, or for talking with sailing buddies?* Mainly use for receiving the latest weather forecast and then keeping it on scan of emergencies channels of 9 and 16. Also channel 22, which I find the Park Service and Coast Guard Aux. monitors for emergencies. My handheld can scan three channels and locks on when a transmission is picked up. >Are you fully licensed and a stickler for radio protocols, calling "Safe Haven Marina" three times and signing off properly with your call letters? Or are you pretty casual about the whole process preferring to get off and on the air as quickly as possible?* I do follow radio protocol closely as it is the most efficient method of transferring information. Fortunately, those I sail with all have been in military service at one time or another and do use radio portocol used there. Never stay on the emergency channel except for hailing and transferring to a talk channel.> Does the use or misuse of the radio by others drive you nuts?* Yes, it is so ignoring especially if they are using the emergency channel. Forturnately, the Park Service jumps in the tell them to go to a talk channel and reminds them that they are using an emergency channel.> Do you always monitor channel 16 when you're out on the water?* Only if weather is perdicted to change and possible other boaters be in trouble. I do now after my radio story below. >Share your radio storiesI was hurrying back to Callville Bay Marina from dropping off passengers at Las Vegas Bay Marina. Coming through the cut between Black Island and main land to the North of Las Vegas Bay, Lake Mead, I turned too soon North rather than going further into the center of Lake Mead. I hit a shoal while traveling at WOT with my 50 HP Johnson. Tore up the bottom element. Got on Channel 16 and was able to raise a roundabout power boat that was going to Callville Bay. He towed me to the ramp and I was able to recover the boat to the trailer without power.Lessons Learn:1. May need a fixed mounted VHF unitfor 25 Watts with a mast antenna, because the Park Service never respond to my MAY DAY. My handheld with only a max of 5 Watt transmission could not reach them.2. With the water level down over 50 feet in Lake Mead, one should travel at less than WOT under power of the iron genny.3. Have purchased a HumminBird Fishfinder 10SX to check on the bottom coming up.

 

[Gary L. Harkins]

POOR FCC Decisions!

Radio proceedure is there for a reason. It is the most understandable, concise and brief method of communication. It presents a standard by which all users of VHF should operate and thus a standard that all users should understand. I think that the FCC made a terrible mistake when they eliminated licensing of VHF. I think that they should have restricted all commercial operations, except in cases of emergency, from answering any call that was not properly made. This would have forced ALL operators to at least make an occasional proper call and may have gotten them into the habit of making proper calls all of the time. While some people may think that this solution is a little extreme, it may have curtailed the CB mentallity that is now becoming prevalent.Gary Harkins

 

[Mark]

May day and listening in

We monitor the coast guard channel on 16 which also is used to hail boats then swith off to other channels. Seems everyone monitors it.Listening for the hot spots for halibut or salmon or hear the coast gaurd calling for nearest assistence to aid a distressed fishing boat. We heard a may day on a 135 ft fishing boat that hit a reef and went down last summer. Coast gaurd was asking all to respond in the area. Then a 2.5 million clean up of 135000 gallons of fuel. All great intertainment and I knowI am safe with all listening to channel 16 in Alaska to respond if needed.Mark

 

[Bill walton]

too up tight

Gary,You are way too uptight about the whole thing. You sound like one of those folks that believes we should still know code to get a ham license.

 

[Doug Rodrigues]

Breaker-breaker 19........

Proper radio procedures are ingrained within me because of years of flying airplanes. I do monitor channel 16 and never make radio checks. Those who fail to follow proper radio procedure do so because they don't know any better. The CB idiot language is all that they have been exposed to. I assume that someday, marine channel 16 will become as useless as channel 19 on CB!

 

[Dick Horton]

SECURITY, SECURITY, SECURITY

3/10/02Since IRISH ROOTS is a USCGAux. Facility, my radio is used mainly for Coast Guard business. Other than that it is only used when necessary. Channel 16 is always monitored. Actually, I have 3 VRF radios aboard. One is always on 16, one scans, and the third is used for normal communications.It does drive me nuts when I hear misuse of the radio. However, I find the best way to handle that is by ignoring it. Eventually the jerks go away. If it gets to the point of being a dangerous hazard the Coast Guard has the ability to zero in on the offending party, and with the heightened state of alert you wouldn't believe how FAST that can be done and appropriate law enforcement dispatched!

 

[SailboatOwners.com]

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 3/10/2002:How do you use your VHF radio?   62% Casual, but get on and off quickly 33% I am fully licensed and a stickler for protocol 4% No radio on my boat 1% I chat with friends on working channels

 

[Brad Newell]

radios

Since we've used our vessel for long distance cruising, we carry a total of three VHFs (one hand-held) and a ham/SSB. Over the years our boats have gotten large enough to help others on the water and we always monitor 16.I spent most of my life talking on the radio (military and airlines) so I really don't enjoy chit-chatting on the radio. I use it pretty much for boat "business": weather, marinas,etc.I have all of the required licenses and poor radio procedures drive me up the wall. Having said that, I am a little casual on the radio. You can always recognize when someone on the air is a professional - no chit-chat and using the minimum of words. "CB" code is the mark of a real amateur. "10-4, Good Buddy", just makes me want to sink someone. A simple "Roger" is usually enough.Calling a station three times, except for emergencies, is generally a waste of air space.

 

[Dana Smith]

Yes, the docking

We all seem to share the docking aspect, no surprise.I use my jack line as the first line used for docking. I just make it a little longer and lay it on the port side. When I come to the dock, I jump off, hook the over the uprights and wala, I'm there.Than proceed to tie the rest of the boat off. This usaully keeps me with in a foot or so of the dock.Hope this makes sense.Dana