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If you haven't yet got your VHF operators licence do so now, you never know when you are going to need it. Oh! and learn the phonetic Alphabet ASAP.
Marine Radios
VHF Marine Radios
VHF marine radios are a great asset to all who use them. They are not chat lines however, and should be used for working messages only. Misuse of the equipment could disrupt other users within the area. All VHF radio users are legally required to hold an operators licence and he vessel to which the radio is fitted must have a ship radio licence. A 'station' is a term for a VHF Radio. As a general rule listen to the channel for 30 seconds before transmitting to ensure it is not already in use.
Channels
| Channel | Purpose |
| 16 | International Distress, safety and calling |
| 6 | Primary Inter ship |
| 8, 72, 77 | Inter ship |
| 12, 14 | Port Operations |
| 67 | Small Craft safety |
| M, M2 | Marina Special Licence |
| 2, 24, 26, 28 | Ship to shore (public correspondence) |
| 6, 67, 73 | Search And Rescue Co-ordination |
VHF Signals
The range of VHF is line of sight and has an Inter-ship range of 25-40 kilometres. Ship to shore range is about 50 kilometres. The dual watch (D/W) facility allows you to monitor two channels via switching. Do not transmit on dual watch. Digital selective calling uses CRS but requires an additional kit for the radio set.
The capture effect is when a receiver within range of two stations will receive only the more powerful or closer signal, the other signal will be lost.
Aerials
Aerial should be high and upright and clear of other aerials by at least 1 metre. An emergency aerial should also be carried.
Control of Communication
Ship to shore - coast radio station
Inter-ship - station calling
Search and Rescue - Vessel in distress, relay station, Coastguard, on scene vessel / aircraft
Duration of Calls
Test Call / Radio Check - 10 sec
Calling on Channel 16 - 1 min
Calling again on Channel 16 - 3 min
Listen on channel before calling - 30 sec
Distress calls
Coast Radio Melbourne and some volunteer services monitor VHF Channel 16. Each station has an obligation to respond to a distress call: write down time, name, position, nature of distress, no of people on board and additional information.
If monitoring service says 'wait' this means they will respond within 10 min's. Any longer than that should be given a reason prior. Only repeat things three times if it is a distress call. Other wise use their name once and your name twice. Distress calls should make the following 7 points in order:
- Distress call
- Identity
- Position (Note that the position is given in geographical area as distance 'from object' not 'to object' when working out bearing. Otherwise use Lat. and Long.)
- Nature of distress
- Information for search and rescue
- Invitation to reply
| Message | Meaning |
Mayday (Distress) |
Definition: When a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. fire, accident damage, lee shore situation (under lee shore is when you are sheltered by the shore), diver not surfaced, man lost overboard, person is gravely ill. Example: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. MAYDAY Evelyn Rose. My position is: 180 degrees, one mile from buoy number 1. I am sinking and require immediate assistance Four crew members on board, all safety equipment and |
Mayday Relay |
Mayday relays are transmitted when the station in distress cannot itself transmit a distress signal or when, although not in a position to assist a distress message is heard that has not been acknowledged. Example: MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY. MAYDAY Evelyn Rose. Position is: 180 degrees, one mile from buoy number 1. Boat sinking and requires immediate assistance Four crew members on board, all safety equipment and |
Pan Pan(note Pan Pan Medico no longer exists. Just use PAN PAN) |
Definition : When a station has a very urgent message to transmit concerning safety of a ship, aircraft or person. Example: PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN Hello all stations, Hello all stations, Hello all stations My position is: 180 degrees, one mile from buoy number 1. I have been in a collision and require assistance of a tug |
Seelonce Mayday |
Radio Silence Definition. Imposing radio silence by controlling station |
Seelonce Distress |
Radio Silence Definition. Issued by other station
Example: MAYDAY - SEELONCE MAYDAY, SEELONCE MAYDAY, SEELONCE MAYDAY. This is Severn Radio - Severn Radio - Out |
Prudonce |
|
Seelonce Feenee |
|
Securite |
Security, Security, Security Hello all stations, Hello all stations, Hello all stations My position is: 180 degrees, one mile from buoy number 1. My engine has broken down and I am anchoring in a southbound traffic lane, Request ships keep clear, over. |
|
NAME OF SHIP....................... CALL SIGN................................... followed by ship's name or call sign Aid required............................... OVER |
Common Terminology
| Radio Command | Meaning |
All after |
Used after the proword 'SAY AGAIN' to request a repetition of a portion of a message. |
All before |
Used after the proword 'SAY AGAIN to request a repetition of a portion of a message. |
Correct |
Reply to repetition of a message that has been proceded by the proword's READ BACK FOR CHECK when it has been correctly repeated. |
Correction |
spoken during the transmission of a message means - An error has been made in this transmission. Cancel the last word or group. The correct word or group follows. |
In Figures |
The following numeral or-group of numerals are to be written as figures. |
In Letters |
The following numeral or group of numerals are to be written in letters as spoken. |
I Read Back |
If the receiving station is doubtful about the accuracy of the whole or any part of a message it may repeat it back to the sending station, preceding the repetition with the proword's I READ BACK |
I Sat Again |
I am repeating transmission or potion indicated. |
I Spell |
I shall spell the next word or group of letters phonetically. |
Out |
This is the end of working to you. The end of work between two stations is indicated by each station adding the word OUT at the end of the last reply. |
Over |
The invitation to reply. Note that the' phrase OVER AND OUT is never used. |
Radio Check |
Please tell me the strength and the clarity of my transmission. |
Received |
Used to acknowledge receipt of a message, i.e, YOUR NUMBER...RECEIVED. In cases of language difficulties, the word 'ROMEO' is used. |
Say Again |
Repeat your message or portion referred to i.e., SAY AGAIN ALL AFTER... SAY AGAIN ADDRESS etc. (Note:- This is typical of the need to memorise all these catch phrases'. To use the word REPEAT would be wrong REPEAT is used to emphasize. something). |
Station Calling |
Used when a station receives a call which is intended for it, but is uncertain of the identification of the calling station. |
This Is |
This transmission is from the station whose call sign immediately follows. In cases of language difficulties the abbreviation DE spoken as DELTA ECHO is used |
Wait |
If a called station is unable to accept traffic immediately it will reply to you with the proword WAIT.... |
Minutes |
If the probable duration of the waiting time exceeds 10 minutes the reason for the delay should be given. |
Word After or Word Before |
Used after the proword SAY. |
Again |
to request repetition of a portion of a radiogram or message. |
Wrong |
Reply to a repetition of a radio telegram that has been preceded by the proword's 'I READ BACK, when it has been incorrectly repeated. |
The Phonetic Alphabet
| Letter | Channel | Pronounced as |
| A | Alfa | AL FAH |
| B | Bravo | BRAH VO |
| C | Charlie | CHAR LEE |
| D | Delta | DELL TAH |
| E | Echo | ECK OH |
| F | Foxtrot | FOKS TROT |
| G | Golf | GOLF |
| H | Hotel | HOH TELL |
| I | India | IN DEE AH |
| J | Juliet | JEW LEE ETT |
| K | Kilo | KEY LOH |
| L | Lima | LEE MAH |
| M | Mike | MIKE |
| N | November | NO VEM BER |
| O | Oscar | 0SS CAH |
| P | Papa | PAH PAH |
| Q | Quebec | KEH BECK |
| R | Romeo | ROW ME OH |
| S | Sierra | SEE AIR RAH |
| T | Tango | TANG GO |
| U | Uniform | YOU NEE FORM |
| V | Victor | VIK TAH |
| W | Whiskey | WISS KEY |
| X | X-ray | ECKS RAY |
| Y | Yankee | YANG KEY |
| Z | Zulu | ZOO LOO |
Other Points
| Do | Do not |
|
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You should also download and read Marine Safety Victoria's Marine Radio Communications flyer, June 2004.
