An infuriating national obsession- radio checks

[GrahamD]

We returned to Poole from Alderney yesterday, the last leg of a fine 4 week summer cruise, which took us to S Brittany

As we came into VHF range of Solent Coastguard I quickly lost count of the number of radio check responses broadcast by the overworked, and very patient, coastguard. For the previous few weeks I had not heard a single radio check request to the French coastguard.

To make matters worse, the U.K. registered boat that had left Alderney at the same time as us waited until they were through the shipping lanes (where arguably there might be the need to clarify the intentions of an oncoming ship) before deciding to contact Solent to ask for a radio check!

So why do the Brits have this curious obsession and how do the French /Dutch /Belgians/ Germans manage to sail safely without continual anxiety over their radios?

Do we have Marine VHF related OCD? Is this behaviour encouraged as part of the RYA VHF exam? Is it just a S Coast /Solent phenomenon? Do people think it's good practice, or are they bored? Hasn't anyone heard of National Coastwatch being happy to respond on Ch 65 if you really aren't sure about your set?

Rant over.

Answers on a postcard please.

 

[sailorman]

Over the past 40 yrs my various VHF sets have never failed to work.
Blame the sailing skools

[So why do the Brits have this curious obsession and how do the French /Dutch /Belgians/ Germans manage to sail safely without continual anxiety over their radios? ]
Ditto red / Bio diesel

 

[Tranona]

Yes, it is a hangover from the distant days when VHF was effectively the only means of communication and it acquired sort of mythical status - you had to join the "club" to use it. Club was run by people for whom it was the centre of their universe so passed on the myths. Despite constant official requests not to do it, some people think it a rite of passage - even if they often do not have a clue how to use it properly.

 

[CLB]

A could of weeks back I heard radio request checks from a commercial fisherman and a lifeboat, so it's not just us leisure types. I have only done it once in my life, when I installed a new radio.

 

[ctva]

... Is it just a S Coast /Solent phenomenon? ...

Rant over.

Answers on a postcard please.

Probably. Was out for three weeks on the west coast of Scotland and we both commented when we heard a single radio check in that period.

 

[GrahamD]

A could of weeks back I heard radio request checks from a commercial fisherman and a lifeboat, so it's not just us leisure types. I have only done it once in my life, when I installed a new radio.

Yes there are times when it is entirely justified to check VHF - I did so as we set off from Poole to Roscoff (check was made via Coastwatch) but we were doing a long trip and I had been doing some electrical work on the boat prior to departure. After that I left it and I certainly don't routinely radio check every time the set is switched on.

I'm amazed that the Coastguard continues to be so patient - I would probably have been sacked long ago for the responses that I would have been tempted to make

 

[davethedog]

Sailing back on Sunday from Newtown Creek to Portsmouth heard at least 3 radio checks and agree slightly annoying.

 

[savageseadog]

My theory is it's self importance and insecurity. It's a national embarrassment.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Over the past 40 yrs my various VHF sets have never failed to work.
Blame the sailing skools

[So why do the Brits have this curious obsession and how do the French /Dutch /Belgians/ Germans manage to sail safely without continual anxiety over their radios? ]
Ditto red / Bio diesel

What's with accusing the schools?

I've worked for several and examined for a load more and I've never heard of any of them encouraging radio checks.

 

[pmagowan]

SEEms a nonsense to me. Never done it in my life, don’t intend to. VEry rarely hear it in Norn Iron or Scotland. Seems to be an ENGLish obsession

 

[Sgeir]

My theory is it's self importance and insecurity. It's a national embarrassment.

Exactly! The sort of behaviour that led to Brexit.

 

[lw395]

The flip side is that there are a lot of people out there, who when push comes to shove, won't be sure if their radio works.
There are a lot of threads on here related to duff aerials and coaxs.
It's not like a mobile phone which shows you 5 bars of signal from Vodafone or whatever.
I see a lot of things on boats not working properly. Engines, blocks, bogs, lights, cookers...
Why assume that a ten year old two way wireless works unless you personally have witnessed it?

There is a balance. The real problem is that many/most people have zero reason to use the VHF to transmit? They have no mates who they know are listening so how else do they make sure the wretched thing works?
Having worked in military radio, where it was quite common to phone people on their mobiles to ask them why they didn't respond on the secure voice network, I can sort of see it fom both sides.
I must admit, I just switch the VHF off if there's too many radio checks.

 

[Tzu]

What's with accusing the schools?

I've worked for several and examined for a load more and I've never heard of any of them encouraging radio checks.

Agreed, my solent based instructor last year made a point of suggesting other methods of radio checking, including the NCI. When i joined a friends boat in my old sailing grounds of North Wales I felt the need to check his VHF was switched on as it was so quiet with the lack of radio checks

 

[sailorman]

What's with accusing the schools?

I've worked for several and examined for a load more and I've never heard of any of them encouraging radio checks.

Did you not instruct you pupils on VHF practical use

 

[[70521]]

When you are working hard to save the life if somebody who has multiple injuries and are desperate to speak to the SAR helicopter crew will understand the importance of radio checks.

OK it was up a mountain, but the situation is the same.

Personally I prefer to call the local NCI station on Ch65, but this is not an option for everybody.

 

[mainsail1]

What's with accusing the schools?

I've worked for several and examined for a load more and I've never heard of any of them encouraging radio checks.

Agree. Sailing Schools are not to blame.

 

[johnalison]

Agree. Sailing Schools are not to blame.

OK then, if not sailing schools, how many VHF courses either encourage it (which I doubt) or imply that it is the normal practice of seafarers? I did it once, with a new radio in 1988, but never since. I routinely call my marina anyway when we leave.

 

[Giblets]

In the eastern Solent we are always more than happy to respond to a radio check. :encouragement:

See my signature.

 

[Boathook]

I have just had my VHF repaired and when I reinstall it I will do a radio check using the DSC test facility to Solent CG. I may also do a voice check as well so apologies to those in the Solent.
As mentioned by others, I have had failure of the coax and even aerial over the years that only affected transmission.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Did you not instruct you pupils on VHF practical use

Yes - and it included knowing that your radio worked from the fact that your friend answered you when you were several miles apart and on low power. Or that the marina or harbour master answered you etc. Not from making numerous spurious calls to 'check that the radio is working'.

I've heard some people check their radio every time they go down to the boat or proceed to sea.... no wonder people listening get fed up with it. (although in the West Country it sometimes just interrupts the conversation between two fishermen about the days catch and the size of the jugs in the local bar they are heading for later that evening. (you can translate that yourselves)