Vhf radio procedures

[zebra]

Vhf radio procedures
It is important to know how to use your vhf radio properly to communicate at sea with coast guard and other vessels I have below outlined the correct ship to ship procedures below. the names used should be substituted for your own I will print a batch of these on a small card and laminate them for anybody who would like one I will have them with me at the meets

Select channel 16 on your radio unless you have predetermined a working channel

You –georgeb georgeb georgeb this is zebra zebra zebra– can you move to channel 10 over

Other-zebra this is georgeb – change to channel 10 over ( Change to channel 10 )

You – georgeb this is zebra-I just wanted to tell you we are catching cod here over

Other – ok zebra on my way over to you over

You – ok georgeb see you in a bit out

The channels are important only use the correct ones inter ship communication channels are 6 – 8 –10 - 72 – 77

[johnlegg]

I did my VHF license 4 years ago , I would advise all of you to do the same at some time, it only takes a day and is well worth it , If not just for your distress code john

PS same for boat owners

[stitch]

Hi John
Is it true i need a licence to operate a VHF radio even for boat to boat communication. What would be the legal down fall when calling for help without a valid licence.

[The Image ™]

Glad you didn't say over and out like some do Terry.

I learned marine radio procedure during my time in the Royal Navy but don't have a persoanl VHF license as none were needed by sailors on a HMS ship. I've been in touch with the authorities (after they stuck a note to my boat at Holyhead) over whether I can carry one for emergencies. The answer was 'yes'. In fact when I suggested removing it they were horrified and gave an emphatic 'no' to removing it and a definate 'yes' to keeping it. They did say though that I should only use it for genuine distress.

One of my friends went on a VHF course recently and was told that people 'WITH' a VHF license can only use a VHF in dire emergencies. I don't know who his instructor was but I thought that this was over the top as it would mean that VHF license holders have no advantage over non license holders if both can only use it in emergencies. The truth is that license holders can use it for any marine purpose WITHIN REASON and non license holders can use it in GENUINE EMERGENCIES.

These are the facts as per my conversations with the authorities and not based on some of the heresay that flies about like the stories about people confiscating a radio just because it's in a boat without an operator license (crap)!

Stitch. You should put in for a VHF course but in the meantime keep your VHF on your yak for emergencies. You won't be penalised for using it if you're in genuine distress. I can give you the authorities number if you wish and check with them but the info I've given is bona-fide and true.

Ref 'over and out' (like they say in movies) we were really reprimanded for doing so even in jest as there's no such thing. 'Over' means 'I require an answer' and 'out' means 'I do not require an answer' (to say both makes no sense at all).

[zebra]

Hello john
Yes you do need a licence to use your vhf radio be it boat to boat or boat to shore or coastguard in order to receive your vhf licence you must first take the raya vhf competence course this is a course designed to show you how to correctly operate your equipment you then need a vhf short range certificate from the home office.
The one day course costs about £100.00 and the home office licence for hand held radios costs £24.00 per year .the home office do not actively check licences so if you get in to trouble use your radio there are plans to scrap the yearly licence and make it a lifetime licence .but I would say the first thing to do is learn the correct procedures when using your radio .if the correct procedures are used no one is going to question if you do or don’t have a licence .the fine at the moment for using a vhf radio in British coastal waters without a licence is £2000.so make sure you use it correctly then you wont get questioned .I took my course on board the glassier at Liverpool dock it cost £100. But well worth it.
terry

[stitch]

Thanks a lot fellas, thats put my mined at rest for the time being, i will have to do a bit of overtime for the course. ;D ;D ;D

John

[georgieb]

You might find some usefull info here John.

These will do your licence.
www.radiolicencecentre.co.uk

All the best
george

[martinw]

So why is it then you can buy a vhf radio off the shelf, or any boating or angling magazine without producing a licence??, if people are not advised to buy a licence when purchasing a vhf, how would they know? £2000 is a big fine to gat slapped with if you knew nothing about it, after all i cant go out and buy another shotgun without showing my licence.

Im sure the coastguard would rather people go to sea with an unlicenced vhf, than without one.

[stitch]

Hi Martin
I bought mine form the shop were most us bought are kayaks, i don't wont to say just in case they get in trouble but will pm you if you don't know the shop. i got my VHF over the phone no questions asked.

John

Love the pictures of you in the surf, i could feel the coldness of the water just looking at them.

[martinw]

Hi john, ive got a vhf, i kept the one i had with my boat, glad i didnt sell it with the boat. I kept it for fishing the rock marks in the summer, never trust the mobile!!

It was nice in the water, it was when you were stood round that the icicles started to form!!

See you at the next meet?? Martin

[gordon]

After receiving some good advice at the dinas dinelle kayak meet, (excellent event, great fun, fantastic sandwiches and great photos afterwards. Thanks to all concerned. I was the slowpoke in the inflatable), I ordered a handheld VHF radio for my kayak. Will hopefully get to me before saturday. I have read recently that the coastguard will stop routinely monitoring channel 16 after 2005 and boat owners should switch to DSC units that feature GMDSS technology. Not sure what that means exactly but it has something to do with automating any distress calls. The only handheld units that seem to comply cost over £400. Have I wasted my money or am I worrying unduly? I figure the only reason I will need it is for emergencies and would hate to think no one was listening.

[zebra]

Hello Gordon
I was wondering where you have got to .you made a good decision and have not wasted your money on getting a vhf radio.
The coast guard will not stop monitoring channel 16 so he will hear you if you should need him.
the gmdss it a great new breakthrough for vhf radios it gives automatic pinpoint coordinates if there is a problem the coast guard will know exactly where you are a lot quicker and not need to speak to you to find you .
terry

[georgieb]

Nice to hear from you Gordon., have you been out on your boat lately, Which radio did you choose ?
You may find this RYA book really helpfull, its less than £5. Lot of straightforward and important info we should all know (before you take a course, of course).

www.force4.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2202/groupID/1/categoryID/6/v/75f66d01-c7a4-4b46-851f-52dc32626a68

All the best

[gordon]

Have not been out since the Feb 4th meet. Fancied a go this weekend but if there are strong offshore winds brewing I might stay on dry land and try for some flatties off Talacre beach. Thanks for the advice on VHF matters. Next thing I need is a GPS receiver, then a fishfinder, then probably a brand new Prowler 13 and finally a fine summers day with double figure bass swimming round me, hungry enough to try and eat bits of shiny metal.

[zebra]

gordon which vhf did you get .
terry

[alanc]

hello zebra could you tell me what you think of these vhfs on e-bay they are very cheap at £14.99 2.5w jt 308 uhf or jt208 vhf ctcss they may be better than nothing your views please

[johnlegg]

They are no good for what we want ,you need a good radio out there. there is a £21 p&p charge as well so it will cost you £36 not £14.99

cgi.ebay.co.uk/JT308-UHF-OR-JT208-VHF-2-5W-CTCSS-2-WAYS-HANDHELD-RADIO_W0QQitemZ5870888635QQcategoryZ48700QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

good radios

www.compass24.com/cgi-bin/abnetshop.pl?basket=rbjkouvniduwbpktcqhvqvmeojippexjxsampeugfuupe&ARTNR=987910

www.compass24.com/cgi-bin/abnetshop.pl?basket=rbjkouvniduwbpktcqhvqvmeojippexjxsampeugfuupe&ARTNR=124310

[zebra]

thanks for that link john
first of all not water proof or splashproof it is uhf not vhf but can be tuned to a limited number of vhf channels .the buttons are a bit small and i think would be a problem with cold wet hands but all in all will do the job but you would need a waterproof case the main time you would need a radio is if you are in the water and can not reach your yak .so bear in mind that your clarity of modulation and transmodulation will be impared with a waterproof case on i personly would want my directions to and from the coast guard to be as clear as poss if i were in need of his help .you would be better saving a bit longer and getting one of the new silvas or at the top end an icom remember this piece of kit may save your life Some day and is your lifeline to help it is also your early warning system for hazards at sea and weather while at sea and is your main means of telling the coastguard where you are if you need help .so it is a vital piece of kit and well worth spending a bit extra on get a waterproof one with as high a wattage as poss 5 watt for hand helds
The wattage works out at about 1 watt to 1 mile as the crow flies but bear in mind around places like Anglesey there are a lot of cliffs so your signal may be cut down a bit I have an icom euro v and can talk to the coast guard from anywhere around Anglesey and I have also spoke to Liverpool coastguard from penmon so in brief
A vhf radio is your lifeline to help if needed worth every penny it costs spend as much as you can on one it will be worth it .its a cheap cost for your life.

[georgieb]

John's right about your ebay radio choice and i agree completely with Zebra.

If your on a kayak and your in any sort of trouble you really need your radio to be capable of submersion in water.
I have 2 radio's , the first i bought was the Silva S12 - a damm good radio for the price in my opinion. 4W power ,submersible, other good robust features - around £80.
For twice that price i also have an ICOM M1 Euro V. I have paid for a whole host of features on this that i will never use. I dont like the way the battery pack fits, there is always some water in the battery pack area whenever i go out. Dont like the button action (no click). Good bits are full 5W power, large screen, very long life battery, very usefull screen info relating to channels you wish to use and many other things. A good radio really - just never been happy with the battery arrangement.
For what alan needs - i recommend the Silva S12.

www.force4.co.uk/ProductsList/mcs/CategoryID/77/GroupID/8/CatName/Handheld%20VHF%20Radios/v/75f66d01-c7a4-4b46-851f-52dc32626a

[alanc]

thanks everyone for your advice thought they where togood to be true but you never know!

[gordon]

I have bought an Icom IC-M31 radio with Li-Ion rechargable battery, which seems to have a lot of features that I probably won't use. It's meant to be waterproof but I'll probably buy a waterproof bag for it anyway. It has a nice big button which will take me to channel 16 straight away, can switch between 1 watt and 5 watt output and also has various scanning features I don't fully understand yet. Hopefully will get a chance to take it out in my kayak sometime soon.



www.longcom.ie/marine/m31.asp

[manxman]

With regards to the Icom IC-M31 handheld VHF. I bought one of these units as a back up for my fixed VHF in my boat. After following the initial charging procedure I took it out on the next fishing trip and used it twice to talk to a nearby boat.

Next day out again and after an hour the radio had shut down, the battery was flat. There is a known problem with model, that the battery level indicator always shows a FULL battery until about thirty seconds before the battery is fully discharged and it turns itself off.

Icom give you a pack to replace the main battery with on these occassions, it holds normal disposable batteries. Not a satisfactory solution really, especially for you yakkers. Be warned don't get caught out.

Jon Brookes from Icom, promised faithfully on another forum that Icom would sort the problem very soon, well I'm still waiting as are many others.

[zebra]

good info thanks

[zebra]

hello all
i have some small laminated cards now with ship to ship procedures on one side and emergency procedures on the other side i will have them with me at all the meets if anyone wants one .
they are free .