Archive for the ‘VHF Hand Held Radios’ Category
What are the “pro-words” that I’m supposed to use?
When using your VHF Marine Radio or Hand Held VHF Marine Radio, there are certain things that are expected of you. One of them listed as part of the “proper operating procedure” is to use “pro-words” based on the English language. Now – what in the world am I talking about? Instead of saying “yeah” or “ok” or “I didn’t hear you”, there are words and phrases that are more acceptable for easier deciphering of the transmission. Such words are … Acknowledge, All after, All before, All stations, Confirm, Correct, Correction, In figures, In letters, Over, Out, Radio check, Read back, Received, Repeat, Say again, Spell, Standby, Station calling, This is, Wait, Word after, Word Before, and Wrong. If you use these phrases and words to communicate when using your VHF Marine Radio, you will realize a heightened level of understanding and success in getting your communication clearly sent to the recipient. It will also become increasing easier to understand what is being said when someone else is communicating with you. Happy Boater.
Why do people talk so funny on their marine radio???
They may not be talking funny at all – they may be following the “proper operating procedure” for using their marine radio. Their are 6 basic operating rules that should be followed for proper use of your VHF Marine Radio. These include…
- Listening for 2 minutes before transmitting
- Using Channel 16 only to establish communication (if necessary) and then switch to a different channel
- Using a set of international “calling” procedures such as the “Mayday” distress call, the “Pan-pan” urgency call and “securit’e'” navigational hazard call
- Using “Pro-words” based on the English language
- Using the NATO phonetic alphabet
- Using a phonetic numbering system based on the English language
I’ll try to address these items in more detail on subsequent blogs to clarify what they mean. These items are mainly for use of the VHF marine radio an the handheld VHF Marine Radio. Enjoy your day on the water and be safe! Happy Boater.
What radio is best for me?
There are definitely a lot of choices available, but it really boils down to some very simple basics. The first, of course, is what are your needs and how will you benefit from this new piece of equipment. Sets can be fixed or portable (hand held). Generally speaking, the fixed sets offer a more stable and reliable power source and a higher transmit power. You will often find larger buttons and bigger displays on the fixed units. A portable (or hand held VHF marine radio) is essentially waterproof (if GMDSS approved) and you can take it with you on a kayak, canoe, life boat, or just about anywhere. Now, being tagged as “waterproof” usually means that it is capable of being under water up to a meter (about 3 feet) under water for 30 minutes. Happy Boating.
Time for a quick VHF overview…
The new boating season is coming and with it, a new set of both challenges and happy times. I’m quite sure that I’m not the only one in the world that tends to get a bit “foggy” on what all those channels are for if you don’t use them on a daily basis. So, let’s take a bit of a look at them and try to jog some of those memory cells so we can prepare ourselves for the new boating season.
Your VHF operates through standard, international frequencies known as channels. VHF Marine Radios can both send and receive within the same unit. Channel 16 is the international calling and distress channel and can be found at 156.8 MHz. Channel 9 can also be used as a secondary call and distress channel. Never use these frequencies for talking about plans for the weekend – meet on this channel and immediately go to another channel to chat so it doesn’t tie up these very important channels. Larger vessels can communicate for up to 60 nautical miles where smaller boats with possibly a hand held VHF marine radio will probably be limited to about 5 nautical miles at sea level. Antennas should be in a vertical position in order to achieve the best reception (called vertical polarization). Those are the basics. Of course, there are a lot more rules, but if you remember to only use channels 9 and 16 for hailing and emergencies only, then switch to another channel, you can’t be far wrong. Remember – the US Coast Guard monitors channel 16 24/7 so let’s be courteous to the needs of others and keep those channels free for emergency weather advisories as well as distress calls from other vessels. Happy Boater.
Need to communicate in a “dead spot”?
You know what I mean…..that cell phone sits there next to you (sometimes for hours) and doesn’t do anything. Then you suddenly remember something that you had to tell someone and you don’t have any signal! UGH! Now, wouldn’t it be nice if the person you were calling had a VHF (very high frequency) radio? Then you could call him/her on your hand held VHF marine radio (assuming you’re within approx 20 miles) and your call will go through since it doesn’t rely on cell phone towers. These type of radios have been very effective for even farmers since they have better penetrating powers and can be easily used in any type of terrain. One main drawback does exist with the VHF Radios. In spite of the fact that they seem to have the ability to clearly broadcast voice messages for the longest distances, the broadcasts can be terminated if you find yourself with a large obstacle such as a tall building or a high hill between you and the person you wish to speak to. This is because the broadcast signals travel in straight lines. Even with this drawback they have been proven to be very useful in even the day-to-day operation of many businesses. These radios (if equipped with a single side band) even have the ability to transmit digital data from one computer to another. The world we knew is changing rapidly. Let’s enjoy the new technology! Happy Boater.
If you have it, know how to use it…
Did you ever take a stroll along the local marina and see all the equipment on board many of the vessels there? I went out with a guy on his boat a few years ago and he was one of those guys that had to have the latest and greatest of everything on his boat. Did he know how to use it? Nope. …but it sure looked pretty! It really doesn’t do you any good to have all these nice things and not know how they work! Spend some time to learn the proper channels to use on your VHF Marine Radio and how to receive constant updates from the USCG and NOAA weather on any local emergency broadcasts. This type of information can very well save your life some day. The price of these radios has come down remarkably lots in recent history. Why not take advantage of it today and protect you and those you invite on board? Happy Boater.
VHF offers that comfort factor…
If you’ve spent enough time on the water, you’ve more than likely encountered some rapid changes in the weather while out there. When this happens, there are decisions to make. How long before I have to head in? Is this serious enough so I would be wise to make a bee-line for shore? Am I pushing the “safety factor” for my guests on board? Having a VHF Marine Radio on board will help you make those decisions. Most of these radios provide a NOAA weather channel which can be monitored 24/7 and the USCG monitors channel 16 24/7 for your boating peace of mind. These radios have been around for years so there really isn’t anything earthshaking about them, but they’ve been improved and many of them are available even as a hand held marine radio unit. Do yourself a favor and say “welcome aboard” to a VHF marine radio this boating season. Happy Boater.
Mobile people require mobile communication!
I stopped to think the other day just how different we are in today’s world compared to just 50 years ago. People are flying through the woods in the winter time on snowmobiles and in the summer you see atv’s, motorcycles, boats, and many other variations of motorized “toys” going in every direction. When I was a kid (at risk of dating myself), we had motorcycles and boats, but nobody every thought of all terrain vehicles, jet skis or snowmobiles! We used to be outside making our own fun – building tree forts or just walking in the woods during the day and then we were all expected to be home at suppertime to eat with the family. Things have definitely changed and I for one am not sure it is for the better. I can certainly see how it has become more critical than ever that we have better communication devices available to us like hand held CB Radios, or hand held VHF Marine Radios just to keep in touch with those we love! I really do like progress, but it seems to me as we look at the summer season upon us, we should not overlook that the first line of communication isn’t an electronic device, but a simple conversation over a meal. Happy Boater.
So many choices – so little time!
Yes, summer is short, but you can certainly put your best foot forward and get your boat equipped properly with both some safety equipment as well as some equipment such as a marine radio receiver. How do you know what to buy for your needs? Well, I guess we all struggle a bit with that one…. Safety equipment is quite easy (although that will change depending on what waters you “play” in). In larger bodies of water, you will want to include at least a Hand Held VHF Marine Radio – one that has NOAA weather alert capabilities. Some other great ideas would be a fixed marine radio as well as a CB Radio (either fixed or hand held) for communicating with those other boats in your party. There are a lot of good units on the market. I would recommend staying with brand names – and sometimes better yet, take a stroll along the marina docks and talk with other boaters to find out just what works best for them! You’d be surprised just how much information you will gain from that and you’d also probably be surprised that most boaters are very friendly and consider it fun to talk about anything on their boat. A lot of marinas, however, have certain areas which are off limits for “strolling” (boater owners only allowed) so be aware of those rules and be considerate of the boater’s privacy. There are plenty of spots you can find to talk that aren’t off limits! HAPPY BOATER.
What frequency to I use for NOAA?
NOAA (stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is the site used by the weather service to broadcast and forecast watches, warnings and other hazardous information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some of the VHF Marine Radios including hand held VHF Marine Radios purchased today as well as a lot of CB Radios have those frequencies pre-programmed into them and and labeled as such. If your radio doesn’t have this easily identified, you will be able to find the NOAA broadcasts on your VHF Marine Radio under 7 frequencies. They are as follows….. 162.400 MHz; 162.425 MHz; 162.450 MHz; 162.475 MHz; 162.500 MHz; 152.525 MHz; and 162.550 MHz. There’s not much you get for free nowadays – let’s be sure to take advantage of this one! Happy Boater.