Ch16 and S48 of The Wireless and Telegraphy Act (2006)

[prv]

Hereabouts the CG use Duplex Channels for some of their routine traffic. You quite often here them telling the Lifeboat going to a casualty, "They are speaking to us on Channel 23. You'll be able to call them direct". No they won't.

That's interesting. Around here, 23 is pretty much only used for the 4-hourly MSI broadcasts. I didn't even realise it was duplex (because of course noone replies to a weather forecast ).

Perhaps the lifeboat have both sides of ch23, the same way they also have ch0 unlike us mere mortals? Otherwise you'd hope your Coastguard would have figured out by now that two ship stations can't call each other on a duplex channel!

Pete

 

[NormanS]

That's interesting. Around here, 23 is pretty much only used for the 4-hourly MSI broadcasts. I didn't even realise it was duplex (because of course noone replies to a weather forecast ).

Perhaps the lifeboat have both sides of ch23, the same way they also have ch0 unlike us mere mortals? Otherwise you'd hope your Coastguard would have figured out by now that two ship stations can't call each other on a duplex channel!

Pete

No, the LB cannot hear both sides either. I would have hoped that the CG would have figured it out too, but I have heard it several times. I think that now that there are no Coast Radio Stations, and no Link Calls, people in general are less aware of the difference between Simplex and Duplex channels.

 

[l'escargot]

... I think that now that there are no Coast Radio Stations, and no Link Calls, people in general are less aware of the difference between Simplex and Duplex channels.

They should be familiar with duplex if they use Ch80 for calling up marinas.

 

[oldvarnish]

Perhaps the lifeboat have both sides of ch23, the same way they also have ch0 unlike us mere mortals?

If you have an ICOM VHF which is switchable to US channels (and most are - it's in my manual anyway) there you will find channel zero.

But I'm ready to stand corrected. I'm only repeating what I read once on here - never tried it.

 

[BruceDanforth]

What 'nudge' process? The terms of your operators license, assuming you have one, are clear enough and predate social media by a good while. Decommission your radio if you are unhappy with the licensing regime.

The government just don't like social media and really want to control it. Don't discuss court cases, don't slag off politicians, don't discuss channel 16, in fact don't talk to each other. Divide and conquer. All part of the "nudge" process.

I doubt whether they could ever get a conviction under S48.

 

[l'escargot]

What 'nudge' process? The terms of your operators license, assuming you have one, are clear enough and predate social media by a good while. Decommission your radio if you are unhappy with the licensing regime.

I have one, do you? You clearly don't understand it if you do, I've made no reference to social media, just described VHF accurately as a public communication medium. Read it in the context of the time it was written, don't just go along with other people's misinterpretation. The world has moved on - link calls no longer exist.

 

[BruceDanforth]

I have made no reference to link calls.

If you feel your role is to listen in to other folks traffic and gossip and tittle-tattle like an old crone then crack on.

I have one, do you? You clearly don't understand it if you do. Read it in the context of the time it was written, don't just go along with other people's misinterpretation. The world has moved on - link calls no longer exist.

 

[l'escargot]

I have made no reference to link calls.

If you feel your role is to listen in to other folks traffic and gossip and tittle-tattle like an old crone then crack on.

Link calls are explained when you get your licence, were you not paying attention or have you not got one? So you don't listen to your radio, is it really any value having it on?

 

[BruceDanforth]

I don't have it on unless I wish to speak to somebody or I am listening to the weather or Tyne Vts.

Why do you keep banging on about link calls?

Link calls are explained when you get your licence, were you not paying attention or have you not got one? So you don't listen to your radio, is it really any value having it on?

 

[l'escargot]

I don't have it on unless I wish to speak to somebody or I am listening to the weather or Tyne Vts.

Why do you keep banging on about link calls?

in a forlorn hope of trying to educate you perhaps? Don't you recall from your operators course that you should always have it on? Or haven't you done one? Shouldn't really challenge other people from such a weak position should you... Decommission your radio if you aren't going to use it properly...

 

[NormanS]

I don't really want to get involved in this private argument, but I have to say that it seems very selfish to switch your radio on, only when YOU want to use it. Does it never occur to you that you might be of some assistance to someone else?

 

[BruceDanforth]

I'm up in the North East. I often won't see any other vessel at all for days on end. I'm also a 22 foot boat with an outboard and I'm limited to a maximum speed of about 5.5 kts in benign conditions - much less in any weather so it is going to take me the best part of the afternoon to reach the horizon.

Also with the outboard I am limited to a very small capability to recharge batteries - I don't have the luxury of a large alternator.

I do listen to 16 in foul weather but realistically a distress call is going to get picked up by the soddin great aerial at Cullercoats and handled from there.

Now we have lifeboat stations at Berwick, Seahouses, Craster, Newbiggin, Blyth, Cullercoats, Tynemouth, Sunderland and Hartlepool all of which have boats that move orders of magnitude faster than me.

I think I'm pretty realistic about my prospects of beating those guys to a casualty and performing a heroic rescue.

Edit: As well as all that lot I'm sailing right next to RAF Boulmer which has considerably better rescue facilities than a Hurley 22.

I don't really want to get involved in this private argument, but I have to say that it seems very selfish to switch your radio on, only when YOU want to use it. Does it never occur to you that you might be of some assistance to someone else?

 

[BruceDanforth]

I am well aware of what a link call is - but I still have no idea why you continue to bang on about them.

I'm required to maintain a radio watch 'where practical'. On a very small boat with limited resources and single handed it rarely is practical.

in a forlorn hope of trying to educate you perhaps? Don't you recall from your operators course that you should always have it on? Or haven't you done one? Shouldn't really challenge other people from such a weak position should you... Decommission your radio if you aren't going to use it properly...

 

[chinita]

I'm also a 22 foot boat

You must be a pretty inadequate yachtsman. Some people attain AMAZING speeds and heroic achievements in their 22 footers.

 

[alant]

I'm told the MCA posted the below images on Facebook today. My question below in bold.

I'd guess both the MCA or the CPS could be the prosecuting authority for this. Is anyone able to point to a case where either have tried to get a prosecution of someone chatting about something they heard on their VHF under S48?

Here's S48:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/36/section/48

Thanks, in advance.

Anyone who has taken a radio/VHF course should be aware of that, so why are people assuming something has changed, just because of social media?

 

[alant]

You must be a pretty inadequate yachtsman. Some people attain AMAZING speeds and heroic achievements in their 22 footers.

0 - 60 in ----??

 

[lustyd]

Anyone who has taken a radio/VHF course should be aware of that, so why are people assuming something has changed, just because of social media?

Well you'd be amazed how many people claim there is no such rule on this forum if you don't publish evidence alongside it so I'd say it's lucky the course has changed this year.