Posts Tagged ‘VHF Radio’
No Test! What could be easier…
I
f you’re worrying about having to take a test in order to own and operate a VHF Radio, you can put your mind at ease. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 allows boaters to own and use VHF Marine Radios without having an FCC ship station license. What does that mean??? It simply means that there is no paperwork required, no classes to attend, and no other hassles involved in purchasing and learning to use a VHF Marine Radio. What could be easier! Now – be aware that if your boat happens to be 65.6 feet or longer or if you plan to travel in foreign waters, you will be required to have a Radiotelephone Operator Permit. You will have to fill out the form to get the permit, but there are no tests or exams – only a 1-time fee which is good for life. Happy Boating!!
Consider a list of boating essentials…
When thinking about the next boating season, it may be wise to compose a list of essential equipment that you may want on board this year. That list doesn’t have to be long or involved, and will vary depending on what type of boat you have (i.e. fishing boat, yacht, speed boat, sail boat, etc). I’ll give you a few ideas you may consider…
Your list may include such items as life jackets, proper flotation device, ladder, VHF Radio, Paddles, GPS, proper ropes, navigation lights, maintenance equipment, marine charts, compasses, and last but not least, a “ditch bag” with flares and drinking water. As you plan, always plan for the safety of those you have on board and have fun!!
What if I use batteries?
If you are using a hand held unit – whether it’s a CB Radio or a VHF Marine Radio, you’re going to have to use batteries to make it work. A good point to remember when using your hand held VHF Radio is that the higher wattage setting you are using, the more power it will draw so don’t use more than you have to. Remember – you can very effectively communicate over 20 nautical miles with a hand held unit at only 1 watt. Some are finding that buying a radio that has the capability of running on standard alkaline batteries vs the “more popular” rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Why? Because (as we all know from using our cell phones) the lithium-ion rechargeable batteries can poop out on you when you need them the most whereas the standard alkaline batteries can be stored on board for a number of years with little or no loss of stored energy. Have a great day!!
How far can I talk?
Well – that’s a funny way to ask a question! It kinda stuck my funny bone when I wrote it, but that’s just what it boils down to, though, when trying to figure out just what kind of VHF radio to purchase for your boat. Keep in mind that even though the available wattage on your Hand Held VHF Radio may be somewhere between 3 to 6 watts, you may not have to use those higher settings. You very likely will be able to set your hand held VHF Radio to the One Watt setting and have the capability of providing reliable communication for a distance of up to 20 miles from shore at a height of about 1 meter above the water. I know in my boating experience, it’s rare that I needed more than those capabilities. It’s also a really great idea if purchasing one of the hand held VHF Radio units to maybe choose one of the upper end units which will give you flotation and submersible capabilities for the radio. That way, you can have one possible stored in your “abandon ship” bag if you have one. Happy boating!
No need to be costly to be safe!
As I look at the thermometer this morning, it’s hard to imagine that just a couple of months from now we will be thinking spring and the warmth of summer. The reality is, however that the temp is 5 degrees below zero right now and I find that the snow starts creaking under your footsteps as you walk on it. The snow will soon be gone and it will be time to launch you boat in the north country. Along with that comes the normal “checklist” which for everyone should include a VHF Radio. Now, a VHF radio doesn’t have to be a fixed unit, although that’s a nice way to go. A 
handheld VHF Marine Radio can serve quite nicely as the primary communication device on smaller boats. It can also serve as a backup for a fixed or mounted unit.
Use of VHF Marine Radios strongly discouraged in the UK…
It really is baffling to me how, in this day and age, when everyone apparently has the same goal of marine safety in mind, can some areas of the world require the use of a VHF Marine Radio and in other parts of the world they are strongly discouraged or forbidden from use. Fact is, it’s a law to carry one on all larger vessels in most parts of the world. Regulators consider the VHF Radio to be of such importance that the helmsman of every commercial vessel and every vessel greater than 20m LOA is required to stand watch on Channel 13 when entering locks. This allows Channel 16 (tuned in on another radio on board) to be exclusively used for monitoring any emergency broadcasts from the Coast Guard. Channel 13 then is used for communicating with other vessels in the area when taking turns entering the locks. The only place that I can think of where another channel is utilized for this purpose is in the lower Mississippi River where they monitor channel 67 instead of channel 13.
VHF single direction broadcasts…
Typically, communication can only take place in one direction at a time. That is to say, you must transmit your message and then release the “transmit” button on your VHF radio and wait for the other person to respond. The position of the “transmit button” (depressed or released) determines whether your unit is ready to transmit or receive communication. This type of ‘one way’ communication is called “simplex”. Now, there are “duplex” units available and the majority of the channels are set aside for this type of communication as it allows both receiving and transmitting simultaneously. Weather, of course, still operates on a “receive only” mode.
Marine VHF Combines Transmitter and Receiver
The VHF Marine Radio features a built in ability to both transmit and receive communications. Typically they operate within a frequency range between 156 and 174 MHz. Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the international calling and distress channel. Transmission power ranges anywhere from 1 to 25 watts. What does this mean in terms of distance when one broadcasts? If the broadcast is from a tall antenna to tall antenna, that signal could be picked up as far away as 60 nautical miles. If you are using your VHF Radio on a small boat, your range will probably only be about 5 nautical miles.
Making an Emergency Call
Having a radio for emergencies won’t help much if you don’t know how to properly use it. The following instructions should be followed when making an emergency radio call from a boat:
Turn your VHF radio to channel 16, and turn the volume up and the squelch down until the static goes away. Make sure to speak clearly and repeat, “mayday” several times followed by your boat’s name.
Next you should say “mayday” again, say you boat’s name and the GPS position or bearing from a known object, what your problem is, and what type of assistance you need. You should also make clear how many people are on board the boat, and what condition they are in. It’s best to keep an emergency message under one minute.
Closing in on the time when VHF Radios will be mandatory on board
In New Zealand, and very likely other places in the world, most of the calls for help have been from people on cell phones when in near coastal waters. This situation very soon will likely be a thing of the past. Laws are being passed that will make it mandatory to have a VHF Radio on board to be legal. The logic behind this is purely from a safety perspective. If a person calls someone on a cell phone, he reaches only 1 person. But, if a person broadcasts a distress call over a VHF radio, his call will likely be heard by several people and very possibly a person very close to his boat will be able to assist. What if you were sinking and you whipped out your cell phone to make a call and found the line busy that you had to reach?? Sobering thought. Safety should always be at the top of your list when outfitting your boat. A VHF Radio (either Hand Held VHF Radio, or Fixed Mount VHF Radio) should always be a critical piece of equipment to have on board as a basic need.