Where ‘Roger That’ Really Comes From
- Thread starter jviss
- Start date
Greg, this is an honest (not contrarian
) question: why do you feel you need to do a radio check? Here in BC there is a separate channel for skippers to use for radio check (I forget which one, probably 83A for the CG, definitely NOT 16 or 9). It is unfortunate that so many skippers seem to be unaware of this, since all you have to do is turn your radio on and listen to 16 and keep hearing "Vessel calling for radio check on 16, please switch and use 83A for radio check." Think they'd learn? As in reading their VHF manual that has the channels listed, or every year Pacific Yachting magazine does a VHF story bout procedures and/or VHF technology / new radios that includes the channels and what to use them for.
"When will they ever learn?"
I like to know my radio works should I need to hail a big ship in the neighborhood.Greg, this is an honest (not contrarian
Here in BC there is a separate channel for skippers to use for radio check (I forget which one, probably 83A for the CG, definitely NOT 16 or 9). It is unfortunate that so many skippers seem to be unaware of this, since all you have to do is turn your radio on and listen to 16 and keep hearing "Vessel calling for radio check on 16, please switch and use 83A for radio check." Think they'd learn? As in reading their VHF manual that has the channels listed, or every year Pacific Yachting magazine does a VHF story bout procedures and/or VHF technology / new radios that includes the channels and what to use them for.
"When will they ever learn?"
I was anchored out one night around dusk, drizzling rain. I could hear an engine running, but it took a while before I could see a sight-seeing boat motoring along the Indiana Dunes lakeshore where I was anchored. I checked my AIS and hailed the skipper to make sure he knew I was there…he was bearing straight down on me. He acknowledged, changed his head in a bit and all was well.
On another occasion, I sent up the mast and found my coax cable had come off the antenna terminal…
I wondered why I hadn’t heard any radio traffic.Today I was out for a sail and I heard radio traffic on 16. I switched to channel 9 and requested a radio check…crickets. A buddy of mine was on his boat in the marina (less than 5 miles from my position), so I texted him to turn his VHF to channel 9 and listen for me. He could not hear me and I could not hear him…so not sure whose radio is not working. Will use my hand-held in the marina next time and see if I can hear anything,
So, occasionally, I like the affirmation that my radio is transmitting.
BoatUS used to have an automated radio check in my area. I am not sure if they turned it off or if I am too far away to get a bounce back from them.
Greg
I'm pretty sure you're referring to the Towboat US automated radio check system, which was discontinued in 2020 or thereabouts.
But if your radio is DSC equipped you can use the CG’s automated DSC radio check capability - DSC Testing | Navigation Center. I do that once in a while. The only downside is that you know your signal was received, but you don’t know where the receiving tower is or what the signal quality is.
I was not aware of that function. My radio is DSC equipped. Will give that a try when I get to the boat later this week.
Thanks for sharing,
Greg
I can't speak to where "roger that" comes from. I was in the military from the late-80s to the mid-90s. It seems like when I first joined, this wasn't an expression that was used, but it was a military colloquialism by the time I left.
It has always struck me as funny. I grew up in a family where "roger" was a slang term for sex - similar to the way "screw" is used in American English. So, the term "roger that" in response to an order or request always makes me chuckle.
It has always struck me as funny. I grew up in a family where "roger" was a slang term for sex - similar to the way "screw" is used in American English. So, the term "roger that" in response to an order or request always makes me chuckle.
"Where have all the flowers gone?"
I've spent the last 6 weeks in Eastern Canada and one of the remarkable, of many remarkable, things I"ve not hear is a lot of chatter on Ch 16. It is dead silent save for the rare call and the CCG with various notices. It has been quite pleasant. Over the past few days a group of US powerboats of the 60' trawler style have been having brief chats on 16, otherwise nothing.
Dav, that was my experience when I moved here, too, although on SF Bay folks were pretty good, too. Just the fishermen abused it there. In addition, etiquette seems to be observed when transmitting. Lots less O&O carp.
I am asking my 87 year old dad if the Morse Code part is plausible. He was a ditty bopper in the Army Security Agency, intercepting Chinese and Russian radio transmissions and providing signal guidance for spy planes back in the thick of the cold war. He says he still has dreams of listening to Morse Code.
Regarding radio checks, I do one whenever I get underway and taught my kids to do likewise. Cell phones can die or get broken when dropped; or get dropped overboard. In my experience here in the northeast, channel 9 is used for radio checks and I usually get a response from a local marina or launch driver.
Aren't "Out" and "Standing by" for two different situations? "Standing by" is for when you are doing that; monitoring whatever channels you're continuing to monitor. "Out" would be to indicate that you are turning off the radio. How you sign off from an exchange over the radio depends upon what the situation is. When we call the launch we use "out", because we turn the radio off after they acknowledge our call, and close the hatches. When we have a discussion with a Race Committee we use "standing by..." and leave the radio on so we can hear what else might be transmitted.
My understanding is that "out" means you have finished that conversation and will not necessarily be listening on the same channel - to be contacted again would require hailing. "Out" also means the channel you are talking on is available to anyone else to use. "Standing by" means you are remaining on that same channel listening for all further communications and would not require being hailed. Pretty much as you stated.
I'm not sure what one would say to indicate you are turning off your radio and will no longer be available to be hailed.
Anyone know?
dj
It is as DJ describes.
"Over" means, "I am done talking. Someone else may now talk."
"Out" means, "I am leaving this conversation. No one should expect me to hear anything else unless I respond to another hail."
"Standing by" is essentially "over". But, it is a way to further clarify that you do not expect an immediate response. I don't know if "standing by" is taught to anyone as an official phrase. But, it is commonly used and easily understood.
"Over" means, "I am done talking. Someone else may now talk."
"Out" means, "I am leaving this conversation. No one should expect me to hear anything else unless I respond to another hail."
"Standing by" is essentially "over". But, it is a way to further clarify that you do not expect an immediate response. I don't know if "standing by" is taught to anyone as an official phrase. But, it is commonly used and easily understood.