Radio check over

[cliffdale]

Today. :disgust: :disgust: :disgust:

Falmouth coastguard, this is annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.
Falmouth coastguard, this is annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

Falmouth coastguard, this is another annoying boat, radio check please over.

 

[pvb]

I've never understood this radio check nonsense. Either it works or it doesn't. The fact that it works when you call the coastguard doesn't guarantee that it'll work at some future time. Complete waste of everyone's energy, time and patience.

 

[Robin]

There is an automatic system over here whereby certain channels answer a radiocheck request on that channel by playing back your transmission back to you as confirmation, so you hear what they heard. seems like a good idea, each state or CG area has a designated channel that offers this service it apparently. I don't use it but the guy installing our new stuff did, all I did after that was to make s a very quick call to the marina office on low power with a genuine reason and also to check the new cockpit mounted RAM microphone worked, not just as a simple radiocheck.

The whole idea is pointless IMO anyway unless there is some distance betwixt transmitter station and receiver station as a poor signal may still work over short range. but not a longerone when it might really be needed

 

[cliffdale]

There is an automatic system over here whereby certain channels answer a radiocheck request on that channel by playing back your transmission back to you as confirmation, so you hear what they heard. seems like a good idea, each state or CG area has a designated channel that offers this service it apparently. I don't use it but the guy installing our new stuff did, all I did after that was to make s a very quick call to the marina office on low power with a genuine reason and also to check the new cockpit mounted RAM microphone worked, not just as a simple radiocheck.

The whole idea is pointless IMo anyway unless there is some distance betwixt transmitter station and receiver station as a poor signal may still work over short range. but not a longerone when it might really be needed

That's an excellent system. They should use it here, it would clear up 99% of ch16 traffic!

 

[pvb]

That's an excellent system. They should use it here, it would clear up 99% of ch16 traffic!

It wouldn't. The radio check loonies would still do a Ch 16 transmission, to make sure it works on Ch 16.

 

[Sandy]

I've never understood this radio check nonsense. Either it works or it doesn't. The fact that it works when you call the coastguard doesn't guarantee that it'll work at some future time. Complete waste of everyone's energy, time and patience.

In my experience a radio check is vital; a radio is a piece of junk unless working. When you are faced with trying to keep somebody alive you need to to know it is working. I'd never want to stand up in front of a Corner and say "We did not check the radio and when we hit the PTT button it was dead"; in the past hearing the clipped tones of 22 Sqn RAF, knowing they were inbound and knew where we and the casualty were, was a wonderful feeling.

OK there may be better ways of doing it, but at least you know that the CG can/could hear you. Can you suggest a better way?

 

[Elemental]

Well, I don't think a radio check to a 300' antenna from anywhere near that antenna is much use. I have never issued one. If you really must, why not use DSC and give us all a break?

Anyway, if you did a radio check and got no response would you stay in port? I seldom transmit on my VHF it's mainly used for listening. I check all the connections annually, keep the radio dry and in good condition. The remote mike goes below when we're off the boat. Given the relative reliability of modern electronics - why shouldn't my radio work (given I can hear traffic when I expect to (Harwich).

 

[chrisclin]

In the good old days when Clyde Coastguard existed, I've heard Clyde and Belfast doing radio checks between them. If it's good enough for them . . . .

 

[pvb]

In my experience a radio check is vital; a radio is a piece of junk unless working. When you are faced with trying to keep somebody alive you need to to know it is working. I'd never want to stand up in front of a Corner and say "We did not check the radio and when we hit the PTT button it was dead"; in the past hearing the clipped tones of 22 Sqn RAF, knowing they were inbound and knew where we and the casualty were, was a wonderful feeling.

OK there may be better ways of doing it, but at least you know that the CG can/could hear you. Can you suggest a better way?

My view is that doing a radio check implies that you distrust the radio; that although it worked last time, it might not work next time. If you have that distrust, then doing a radio check is surely pointless.

 

[Lucky Duck]

A fellow club member needed the masthead cable replacing, despite regularly using the VHF to call other boats and talking to the coastguard - the problem only really came to light when another member overhead us talking and noticed the difference between the quality of the transmissions despite being equal distance between both of us.

 

[sailorman]

My view is that doing a radio check implies that you distrust the radio; that although it worked last time, it might not work next time. If you have that distrust, then doing a radio check is surely pointless.

My Icom 56euro has worked faultlessly for 18 yrs without a "Radio Check", have i been lucky

 

[pvb]

My Icom 56euro has worked faultlessly for 18 yrs without a "Radio Check", have i been lucky

No, sensible.

 

[Robin]

Years ago, we had fitted a new masthead aerial to our then W33 during a winter refit with mast down for re-rig and had made a subsequent satisfactory radiocheck with Portland CG from Poole after relaunching in Spring. Then a week or two later when mid-Channel returning from Cherbourg with duty-free we noticed we were not hearing the usual constant babble from the UK side despite it being a bank holiday weekend, so I got curious and turned on the handheld and there it was, yada yada yada. Tried the spare or emergency aerial (y'all do carry one don't ya?) and there it was again, loud and clear. Later investigation after re-making every cable connection ( it had to be something I had done wrong surely) and then talking with V-Tronix who supplied The new aerial we had fitted it turned out to be a rare but nevertheless faulty new antenna which when replaced (FOC) was proven to be the case and later that season we were able to put a telephone link call in via Lands End radio from L'Aberwrac'h , at pretty extreme range. Just proves the original post new aerial install radiocheck had been a total waste of time

I'm still of the opinion if if the set worked ten minutes ago, is heard working now on receive, it is probably still going to work on transmit, so thereafter I would trust it until something makes me question it again, but if an occasion arise that I could usefully do a long range check like for example I used to do by making a CG report for a return trip from France, call made from just off the French coast to Portland CG, nearest coast aerial being 65miles or more away. Nowadays here in Florida I trust it all works if I can still hear all the chit chat on the favourite local working channel (16) and it also works if I call the marina office, on their working channel, albeit on low power and from not very far away simply to ask to be added to the next freebie midweek in berth holding tank pump out run from the poop boat.

 

[prv]

That's an excellent system. They should use it here, it would clear up 99% of ch16 traffic!

It wouldn't. The radio check loonies would still do a Ch 16 transmission, to make sure it works on Ch 16.

I agree it wouldn't, but not for the reason you state. Rather, the numpties would be blissfully unaware of it (just as those in the Solent are ignorant of ch67) and would carry on as before.

Pete

 

[westhinder]

Anyway, if you did a radio check and got no response would you stay in port?

Very good question!
I wonder why no one of the radio check brigade has answered it.

 

[mel80]

...why shouldn't my radio work (given I can hear traffic when I expect to (Harwich).

That used to be my attitude too. Very rarely used the radio, could receive from a reasonable distance. No problem as far as I was concerned.

However, one evening I had a call from the coastguard and it quickly became clear that whilst I could hear them, they couldn't hear me. Ended up being nothing more than a broken contact in the mic, but did make the point that checking communications in both directions is worth doing from time to time.

 

[Xcinquemila]

Radio Check has its origin in that every channel has it own crystals for the appropriate frequency.
Actually , it should not be conducted trying to call in to the coast guard , but to the radio operation of the specific area.
I have in my early days worked for Radio Holland , and the protocol "radio check" was actually included in the certification of a radio , whether it would be VHF or any other transmitting device. It would also included in a check after repairs of other energy transmitting equipment (which would also include the old 24/220V mechanical generators) , in particular the radar equipment and generators would cause interference. Hence the "Radio" check.
During the radio check, on not only would shout out "Radio Check" on would also id the sender himself "on board of vessel name". So for those who do a radio check these days specially on channel 16 are abusing the system under the flag of safety.
For the yachties , well channel 16 is (supposed to be) the only channel which can blast the full 25 watts into the air, so even earlier remarks other channels checks might do the job, it does not include the max channels.

As to the function of the actual test, there is a little device which can measure true energy output, most radio's problems are in the coax wires to the antenna and their connectors;

For those reading this, have a look at this article, it might shed some light on what is going on with your antenna etc.

http://www.boat-project.com/tutorials/vhfant.htm

 

[Bru]

If the Coastguard had an issue with radio checks we'd surely have heard about it by now

I've only done it once (new installation after previous VHF died) but then I fairly regularly use the VHF to contact marinas so it gets a check from time to time

I also routinely check that both the base station and the hand held are at least transmitting by keying the PTTs on each radio whilst tuned to a quiet working channel

Given that the VHF is a vital item of safety equipment I can understand skippers wanting to check it's working

The only debate IMO is whether the conversation should be on Ch.16 or a working channel and my impression is that if the CG wanted radio checks to be on 67 they'd surely say so

 

[capt_courageous]

Hi I have a fixed radio and a handheld so just do a quick cross check.

 

[onesea]

I do a radio check once a year and if I have to play with the radio connections for any reason.... Well I have it onboard it would be silly not to use once in awhile