Radio etiquette
Every vessel fitted with a radio transmitter is required to have a Ship Radio Licence, and from this comes the vessel’s unique call sign. This is made up of letters and numbers and is spelt out using the phonetic alphabet.
If your vessel has only a hand-held VHF set, a Ship Portable Radio Licence is required. The radio transmitter can only be operated by a ship’s radio licence holder with a Short Range Certificate, or crew member under their control.
The latest digital VHF sets operate on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). This was introduced to ensure that a vessel can transmit a distress alert automatically. When connected to a GPS receiver, the system will also send your position with a distress alert.
Using a VHF radio
1 Press to talk (PTT) microphone. Press the PTT button and the set switches from receive to transmit. Hold the microphone 2inches (5cm) from your mouth and speak slowly and clearly. Say ‘Over’ at the end of the message and release the PTT button.
2 Scan. This allows the set to monitor several channels at one time.
3 DW (Dual Watch). This allows the set to monitor priority channel 16 and one other channel.
4 High/low power. Use low power for all routine calls
5 Squelch. A filter to reduce background noise. Adjust knob until interference noise is just audible.
Distress button
This is on VHF-DSC sets only and is protected by a cover. The set has to be programmed with the name and type of the vessel. For a Mayday call, open the cover and press the button. Then press it again for 5 seconds. The alert will then be retransmitted every 4 minutes until a Coastguard station or other vessel responds. The nature of the distress can be defined by scrolling down the menu. NEVER test the DSC by initiating a distress alert.
Phonetic alphabet
Use the phonetic alphabet to spell out boat names, call signs, abbreviations and words
Over: I have finished talking and require an answer.
Out: I have finished talking and do not require an answer. Never finish a conversation with ‘Over and Out’, as it will lead to much ridicule and cost you a round of drinks.
Say Again: Repeat what you have just said.
Correction: An error has been made; the corrected version is to follow.
I Say Again: I am repeating my previous information.
16: primary distress working channel, and general call-up channel
13: primary inter-bridge channel for matters relating to collision avoidance
06, 08, 72 and 77: main intership channels
70: digital signal for DSC traffic
Coastguard stations are quite happy to receive test calls, but do bear in mind that in busy waters, should 324 boats call in on Channel 16 all requesting a radio check, this important distress channel will become clogged. So, look up the Routine Traffic channel for the Coastguard in the local almanac and make your radio check call on that instead.
The VHF radio is a convenient and free means of communication but, as with the radio check calls, you don’t want to hog Channel 16 discussing where to have dinner that night. So, when calling up another vessel, once you have made contact on 16, move to an intership channel.