Radio checks why oh why

[pyrojames]

I wonder how many of those doing radio checks when they go sailing on a nice weekend, checked their tyre pressures before they did 80 mph on the motorway for the trip to the marina?

 

[lustyd]

I certainly would if my car had been laid up for 6 months, or if it had just had new tires installed.

 

[ip485]

I also fail to understand the obsession.

On the other hand, even in the solent, the frequency is rarely so busy that it seems to me to cause a problem.

Therefore for those that feel the need, perahps little harm is done, and maybe we should be less obsessed with people feeling obsessed.

Of course radios do fail to transmitt as well. In the aviation world, in a sense it is done 100% of the time (OK there might be the odd exception leaving a grass strip with no allocated frequency or SafetyCom) when pilots make an initial call which also serves the purpose of a radio check. At least once a day and usually more for one reason or another someone will be carrier wave only or unheard. If ATC can cope I guess so can the sailing fraternity.

 

[Daydream believer]

I wonder how many of those doing radio checks when they go sailing on a nice weekend, checked their tyre pressures before they did 80 mph on the motorway for the trip to the marina?

I have NEVER exceeded 70 MPH in the last 8 years

 

[LittleSister]

Why does the coastgaurd answer all those requests for radio checks on channel 16.

And while we're at it, why do Forum members persist in contributing to all those threads started to complain about people calling on Ch.16 for radio checks?

 

[Black Sheep]

And while we're at it, why do Forum members persist in contributing to all those threads started to complain about people calling on Ch.16 for radio checks?

What really drives me crazy is all those people who keep moaning about those who persist in contributing to threads complaining about people calling for Radio Checks on Ch 16.

 

[Gary Fox]

And while we're at it, why do Forum members persist in contributing to all those threads started to complain about people calling on Ch.16 for radio checks?

Is it a British thing? After decades afloat, I have not once heard foreign yachtsmen undertaking these bizarre ( and totally pointless) calls to inform all and sundry that they find radio checks irritating.

 

[girlofwight]

Most seasons, I do one at the start of the season, on 67, stressing it’s a pre season re-commissionimg check. Invariably an evening when I’m having a tinker around onboard with the ore season job list.

”Solent Coastguard, this is Whatever, just recommissioning for the new season, can you let me know signal strength and quality please?”

The reply is always polite.

I could imagine the constant stream on 16 is irritating in the summer, but I rest smugly on my 67 once a year off peak!

I can only recall one other time of doing a test, I can‘t remember the detail, but I was not able to raise a marina on 80 whilst I was in it, and something made me doubt my set rather than the marinas watch.

 

[Adios]

SOLENT COASTGUARD SOLENT COASTGUARD SOLENT COASTGUARD THIS IS YACHT POMPOUS WINDBAG YACHT POMPOUS WINDBAG YACHT POMPOUS WINDBAG RADIO CHECK PLEASE OVER.

I swear I hear the same fellow every Saturday morning.

Pompous windbag is probably spot on. I think its nothing to do with checking their radio works, more to do with announcing that they are little captains out on their yacht to the other people they expect will be monitoring channel 16, friends and club members. Its all a bit trying too hard. "see how properly we are doing things and how like a professional ships captain we sound."

 

[Adios]

BTW since there's apparently no direction finding equipment now there is really no risk of comeback if you feel like interjecting next time there has been a spate of them: "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WILL YOU STOP DOING BLOODY RADIO CHECKS ON CHANNEL 16 YOU POMPOUS WINDBAGS" CG might not publicly thank you but I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

 

[Dellquay13]

Same here, but I think it's common courtesy to keep the cg in the loop, how long does it take?

it also confirms your vhf is working both ways, without saying 'radio check'

 

[Momac]

I guess using DSC to call the coastguard would avoid disturbing others .
UK Coastguard MMSI Numbers

Maybe peole with VHF anxiety should fit a second VHF set?
,

 

[William_H]

Our local Coast Guard in west Oz have a working channel 73. All calls should be made to this channel leaving ch16 for any emergency. If you call on ch 16 for any reason other than emergency they will let you know quickly to go to working channel. Surely something similar in UK? ol'will

 

[38mess]

it also confirms your vhf is working both ways, without saying 'radio check'

Exactly.... just click on the coasties number takes less than 10 seconds. That's if people know how to work a DSC radio of course

 

[Daydream believer]

BTW since there's apparently no direction finding equipment now there is really no risk of comeback if you feel like interjecting next time there has been a spate of them: "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WILL YOU STOP DOING BLOODY RADIO CHECKS ON CHANNEL 16 YOU POMPOUS WINDBAGS" CG might not publicly thank you but I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

And someone will reply - " you are good & readable on channel 16 from all our Solent aerials"

 

[Biggles Wader]

I guess using DSC to call the coastguard would avoid disturbing others .
UK Coastguard MMSI Numbers

Maybe peole with VHF anxiety should fit a second VHF set?
,

That's what I do. I call it "the handheld"

 

[Buck Turgidson]

checking your equipment works is a good thing, doing it in public, not so much ?

 

[Dellquay13]

Exactly.... just click on the coasties number takes less than 10 seconds. That's if people know how to work a DSC radio of course

Since there was talk some years ago of closing down Milford Haven CG station under Gov cutbacks, I've always felt that helping them fill their call logs with routine traffic about leisure cruising and passage planning in a very busy petrochemical port helps them to justify their existence. Never radio checks though, I get that confirmed every time I go through the harbour lock gates.

 

[jwilson]

Radio checks are OCCASIONALLY necessary. Certainly not every Sunday morning as seems to be common.

I did a series of radio checks a week ago: the first in several years, as my handheld was failing to get through to the club launch on Ch 37. It would get the CG on both 16 and 67, and the local marina on 80, all at 1 watt. No TX strength on 37 though it was receiving other people on this channel. It would get through on 37 if used on high 6w power with the launch alongside, similarly being received on my own fixed VHF at the chart table 15 feet away.

I now have a new handheld - have not done a radio check on it as it is now working as it should both to club lanch (37) and water taxi (12) on 1 watt.

 

[Sandy]

I wonder how many of those doing radio checks when they go sailing on a nice weekend, checked their tyre pressures before they did 80 mph on the motorway for the trip to the marina?

I was surprised when the car started telling me what the tyre pressures were!