Handheld VHF call sign

[BlueSkyNick]

If the handheld is used on the licensed boat, the boat's name is normally used as the call sign. So if one is calling another station, it makes no difference whether it is done from the main set of the handheld.

If you take the handheld in the dinghy, and leave the main boat, what does the handheld call sign become then? eg calling from the boat, would it be something like "Bigboat Tender, Bigboat tender, this is Big Boat, Over" ?

Then if you take the handheld onto the pontoon, or land, and somebody calls you from another boat - eg they are entering the same harbour and looking for a berth - they will call your boat name not knowing you are on the land. So would you respond with the boats name, your own name, or something else?

What's the protocol?

 

[st599]

I don't think you're licensed for land based operation in the marine band. If OFCOM happened to have a direction finding group in range monitoring your call you could be in trouble

 

[BlueSkyNick]

OK, so I sit in the dinghy tied up to a harbour wall, instead of stepping ashore, what do I call myself?

 

[steve_cronin]

You need a seperate "T" number if the set is going to be used as a stand alone usable on ANY vessel but if it's for use on the mother vessel or it's tender then no seperate alpha-numeric callsign is necessary other than a name that you might use to differentiate between the two. For example, If your yacht was called "Wild Harvest" then you might call the tender "Wild Oat". You will need to declare a hand-held for use on board though when applying for a licence. Once you start to call from the deck of other's boats though, it might be argued that you are in contravention, so since fees are soon to be abolished, it might just be a good idea to get a "T" number for the hand held.

Steve Cronin

 

[Sans Bateau]

Or just to save the complication get a pair of licence free 'walkie talkies' (who thought up that name?)

 

[EdWingfield]

Don't worry about protocols - invent a name to be used by the handheld and use it in the correct vhf manner.

I've never heard of anyone being busted who wasn't abusing the airwaves.

Come to think of it I've never heard of anyone being busted who was abusing the airwaves!

As for Ofcom teams going around the coast listening and tracking unlicensed marine band users a-la Gestapo style, forget it, they've got better things to do. Most probably listening for naughty terrorists comms.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

that has been just about my approach and attitude to date - just wandered if there is a proper way to do it !

 

[Deleted member 478]

Big-Boat, Big-Boat, this is Big-Boat-mobile. Over.
Big-Boat-mobile, this is Big-Boat. Pick a working channel. Over
Big-Boat, go six eight, Over.
Six eight. Over

Well that's how the septics in the caribbean do it. Does that help?

 

[Birdseye]

not quite sure about the "protocol" but the rules for using your hand held on shore are clear - you can't or should I say shouldn't. Against the terms of your license and illegal.

As far as use in the dinghy is concerned, I cant see anything in the rules which says the way in which you have to identiry yourself. They just say that unidentified use of a radio is forbidden. So you could use any identifying means that wasnt illegal or obscene etc.

In reality, everyone does exactly what they want to do irrespective of the rules. Which it is well known dont apply to fishing boats or Frenchmen anyway.

 

[GeorgeP]

I just use the call sign 'shore party'. Never had a problem.

 

[KellysEye]

Mobile is the correct protocol but the conversation should go:

Big-Boat, Big-Boat, Big-Boat-mobile, over.
Big-Boat mobile, Big boat, (say) zero six , over.
Zero six.

Take out all unnecessary words, the station receiving the call controls the conversation and thus should name the working channel, not refer back the first caller. You've been listening to too many Americans ;-)

 

[graham]

Why not leave the boats set on a prearranged working channel such as channel 8 plus dual watch if you like.

Then just set the mobile on 8 and avoid using 16 alltogether.

dont forget that it is not legal to use any VHF channel as a chit chat channel.Messages should be short and to the point .

it can be frustrating waiting to send a message of some importance while someones burbling on about how fantastic last nights run ashore was or what a wonderfull fish that got away. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

As to call signs agree that "yacht chat a lot this is chatalot mobile over "is the correct form.

 

[dansar]

Stingo has the correct answer.

David

 

[peteandthira]

We just set both sets to low power and use a chat channel directly. No-one more than a mile away can hear you then anyway. We do use proper VHF procedures though, just in case the radio police are nearby.