Incessant Radio checks

[jimi]

Due to the incessant radio checks I no longer listen to Channel 16. Could someone please make it illegal to do radio checks on 16 and 67 in the Solent.

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[Twister_Ken]

Ch 23

Our good friends Solent CG use Ch16 to announce MSI broadcasts on Ch23. Once or twice, after listening, I have forgotten to tune back to Ch16. Only the silence on 23 reminds me of the error of my ways.

It does make you wonder how much spare capacity there is on rarely used channels that could be freed up for public correspondence.

Incidentally, Solent CG was getting quite shirty about radio check traffic on Saturday, and reminded people several times not to use 16 "which could interfere with casualty working".

I suspect to the unlicensed radio checker, most would infer that a BBC drama series was being filmed in the Solent

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[Robin]

We came back from Cherbourg yesterday and were hearing the constant radio checks from the minute we left, from Solent CG and Portland and even Brixham. We did not hear a single radio check on the French side.



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[Aja]

Re: Clyde Radio checks

Didn't hear one all weekend and there were plenty of boats out and about.

It sounds it is a disease, hope we dont catch the same thing up here.

Donald


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[snooks]

Call a marina

Down in the greenery of Falmouth I used to call up the marina for a radio check, on 37 or 80 why can't the same be done in the Solent?

There are more marinas, so you could pick a different one each time, save everyone picking on the same one

I've never used the CG for a radio check, and never felt the need to do it. Usually calling the marina for a berth will satisfy my curiosity about the strengh of my signal

Thought for the day...If the signal strengh of Solent Coastguard is stronger, or the height of the aerial greater, would this give a false sense of security if you checked your radio with them? After all you might not be able to hear a boat in distress just over the horizon and they might not be able to hear you if you were in distress....Assuming of course the the CG's radio facilities are able to pick up weaker signals and transmit stronger ones

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[Roberto]

Did you listen to a french weather forecast ?
They start with a securite message reminding the basics of channel 16 use (only strictly necessary radio checks, no chat, etc), I do not know if this is the reason one hears almost no radio check demands, does solent cg broadcast such messages?

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[themount2]

What happened to "tome"'s perfectly sensible suggestion for a public correspondence duplex channel and Mike Martin getting involved.
The CG can't possibly stay cool and even tempered forever, particularly in the Solent where they have so many twats to worry about.

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[Sybarite]

I can assure you that you do hear them. One gets the impression that they are from the Hooray Henries rather than the serious sailors.

John

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[Roberto]

sorry I expressed myself badly: I hardly hear any *french* radio check on french coasts, I was wondering if the cross (joburg, etel etc) habit of broadcasting a securite message about channel 16 with every weather forecast was the reason why there are so few radio checks in france

If solent radio would try the same securite message, maybe solent boats could turn out more cooperative...?

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[iangrant]

On Saturday Mr Coastguard asked people to do Radio checks with their Marinas to minimize calling on 16 and 67 .

- unfortunately he forgot to ask them to do it on marina channels!

Ian

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[Gunfleet]

This is the reason you don't hear them in France. People usually call a marina to do their radio checks.

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[ThomasHome]

Just because your radio worked last week it does not mean it will work next week, we all know how unreliable modern electronic equipment is now days!!

I wonder haw many VHFs pack up, for no reason, in the UK each week, none I expect.

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[Guest]

I have done two radio checks this year, one at the start of the season after restepping the mast and one after fitting a new ariel (expesive loss!). Oh! by the way I did both checks on a Tue evening, when I suspect the CG were glad to have someone to talk to.

Why the hell do people do a radio check every weekend? Sunsail boats should come with instructions 'radio has been checked'! That would cut the traffic by 25%.

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[salamicollie]

Re: Clyde Radio checks

Unfortunately it is a disease and its spreading North - we are starting to get some number of Radio checks to Holyhead CG - this seems to be closely linked to the appearance of the Holyhead Marina...



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[ThomasHome]

I've yet to do a radio check, as I can hear other marina's miles away, and I have to call up to lock out.

All I could hear all weekend was radio checks, I reckon it could be a more serious problem if people switch off their radios because their fed up with listening to them, and then miss a situation they could have helped out with.

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[jimi]

Well that's what's happening in the Solent .. and not only that but the plonker who's just done his daily radio check then leaves the transmit button pressed and is a carrier. Its time that something was done about it. I think the CG should point blank refuse to give radio checks or accept passage plans within sheltered waters.

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[Robin]

I have this vision of all those people who had a reply 'weak and unreadable' or 'loud background hum' etc all turning up at the repair shop on Monday morning... But then no they will all be out there next weekend calling Mr CG to see if it is magically better, along with those who did go to the repair shop who need to check their money was well spent.

Radio checks made locally are fairly pointless anyway, you are never too far from an aerial and the check is no better than talking to a marina or buddy boat. Try calling from 50 miles off and the call might have some meaning and you could make a safety traffic report as well. But then I suspect most of the prats we are talking about here never get much farther than they could shout help unaided anyway.


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[claymore]

Oban Coastguard

Still keep hearing calls to them for radio checks. Been some time now since they were in business.

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Claymore
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[Robin]

I did listen to one on Sunday and always listen when cruising in French waters, but I don't remember the CH16 messages, maybe I mentally tune them out. Come to think of it I have heard warnings to divers to dive in pairs and other bits of gratuitous advice so maybe they have a selection of messages that go out in rotation.

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[Robin]

Re: Oban Coastguard

You see, they think their radio is not working and keep calling to see if it is!

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