Callsigns

[Sandy.]

With busy weekends coming up for the CG who have to answer countless 'Radio Checks' to boats with pretty exotic names (mine included) which sometimes have to be repeated (and spelt phonetically), would it not make more sense to make more use of our radio calsigns?

 

[rogerroger]

No!

Not for the constant and pointless Solent "radio check please" - people out there seem to struggle enough with radios without the added pressure of trying to remember the phonetic spelling of the call signs!

The poor CG would have to write each one down as well I'd imagine as a name is much easier to remember than an alpha numeric code.

With urgency and Mayday then yes of course.

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[Viking]

Re: Radio checks!

For goodness sake, You dont have to call the CG for a radio check. Cant you ask another boat for a check before you leave the marina. Or the marina itself! Its a bit late if your out at sea and the bloody thing doesnt work!

 

[rogerroger]

Re: Radio checks!

that's my point !! But people do - it's non-stop in the Solent, adding call signs to CG radio checks would make it worse.

If my set works one weekend it'll work the following one - I only do a radio check if I suspect it not to be working - i.e. not receiving, or if I don't get a response from a station I know is listening.



Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Re: Radio checks!

And lets be honest how many people actually return to the marina and call up an engineer when they find it ain't working.

If it Cooks Flys or Floats, Rent it.

 

[rogerroger]

Re: Radio checks!

Indeed!

In fact I heard one radio-checker last w/e who was told he was "weak, barely readable with a lot of background noise".

I think this confused the caller as he didn't even acknowledge this - probably just hung up the mic and carried on towards lunch in Cowes...

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[Twister_Ken]

What is the point of a callsign?

You hardly ever hear them used, even by commercial vessels. What are they for.

Mike Hotel Delta Bravo Two out

 

[Rob_Webb]

Re: Radio checks!

I also assume that my radio works and don't ask for a check every time I sail, particulalry if I am staying in home waters (Solent for me).


But if I plan to venture beyond my comfort zone i.e. out of the Solent, I will ask for a radio check.

I also believe it is only worth performing a radio check with a reasonably distant station and not the marina base you are currently moored in. This is because it is not simply a case of your radio working or not working. This was highlighted to me a few years ago when I sailed in convoy with another boat to Cherbourg - we maintained radio contact 3/4 way until my friend had naturally pulled about 5 nm ahead of me. This was the point at which I lost my engine and with a dying wind needed a tow into Cherbourg. To cut a long story short, I could talk to the Cherbourg CG (who eventually dispatched a lifeboat) but could not talk to my fellow yachstman. Subsequent investigation revealed that both our boats had partially corroded plugs at the deck-level. This was attenuating our signals by abour 50% each. This meant that we could happily talk to each other when in close prioximity and we could each talk to a more distance CG who obviously had fully functioning equipment - but when we really needed to we couldn't talk to each other at any real distance (5nm in this case).

Rob Webb

 

[Guest]

Re: What is the point of a callsign?

When sailing Irish waters if you put in a TR with the coast radio they always request our callsign.I assume it confirms we have a license but also avoids 'rubber duck' from hamble being confused with 'rubber duck' from yarmouth?

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Re: Radio checks!

A perfect illustration of Sod's Law in operation.
How long after the engine repair did you get the radio fixed?


If it Cooks Flys or Floats, Rent it.

 

[Rob_Webb]

Re: Radio checks!

The engine was 'repaired' immediately upon arrival in the inner basin at Cherbourg when the lifeboat coxswain unbelievably donned a wetsuit and aqualung and jump over the side to remove a whopping fertlisier bag from the prop (no other damage). He was rewarded with a bottle of scotch which I keep in reserve for just such occassions. Who said the frogs never help the Brits!

As for the radio, both my friend and I had the problem diagnosed and repaired by a local radio trechnician the next day, also in Cherbourg, as we were storm bound. I am fairly technically adept and checked the instruments for myself to verify the 50% attentuation story was correct.... which effectively meant our two vessels were trying to talk to each other at a combined efficiency of only 25% - no wonder we had trouble once we got a few nm apart.

Rob

 

[Rob_Webb]

Re: Radio checks!

The engine was 'repaired' immediately upon arrival in the inner basin at Cherbourg when the lifeboat coxswain (unbelievably) donned a wetsuit and aqualung and jumped over the side to remove a whopping fertilizer bag from the prop (no other damage). He was rewarded with a bottle of scotch which I now keep in reserve for just such occassions. Who said the frogs never help the Brits?!

As for the radio, both my friend and I had the problem diagnosed and repaired by a local radio trechnician the next day, also in Cherbourg, as we were storm bound. I am fairly technically adept and checked the instruments for myself to verify the 50% attentuation story was correct.... which effectively meant our two vessels were trying to talk to each other at a combined efficiency of only 25% - no wonder we had trouble once we got a few nm apart.

Rob

 

[rogerroger]

Re: Radio checks!

I think it's only tabloid fed morons who say the French never help the English.

Whenever I've sailed there, skied there or just driven over for the sake of it I've never found them anything but friendly, helpful and welcoming.



Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Re: Radio checks!

Fairly technically adept
sounds a bit of an understatement.

The comment was not meant as facetious
Engines are my weakness. i really know v little about them. and being inept i have to constantly be shown what does what.
I am slowly getting better
Managed to get the elderly seagull going last weekend which mightily impressed the old man. did get through half a can of easy start tho' but you do slowy learn.

TH

If it Cooks Flys or Floats, Rent it.

 

[Viking]

Re: Radio checks!

Indeed, If venturing across to France then I reported in to the CG on the small boat safety watch they had. I could even pick up Solent CG in Cherbourg to report a safe arrival. On C68 of course.

 

[Guest]

Re: Radio checks!

That's your elderly Seagull b******d then.

 

[jimi]

Re: Radio checks!

Well I suppose frogs are amphibious anyway...

 

[jollyjacktar]

Vessel name then call sign

Vessel name and then call sign to initiate every transmission. Once contact established the vessel name is sufficient [pays to have an unembarrasing and easily identifiable vessel name preferably not like "Ivan Elivanich" or "Ben Dover" or such like]. At least that's the regs and general practice in my part of the world. How reliable is your radio if you have to have a radio check every time you turn it on? Or do people in your location just like the sound of their voices being broadcasted?

 

[Bergman]

Re: What is the point of a callsign?

Only point I can see is that it does positively identify the vessel.

I suppose it really is a throwback to the days when people could communicate in Morse code. Much quicker and easier in Morse than vessel's name.

 

[Sandy.]

Re: What is the point of a callsign?

A Callsign is unique, a boat name isn't, therefore no confusion!