Radio Check Question

[PEJ]

Following on from Powerskip's Mayday post.

One of the contributors complained (and I totally agree) about radio checks to the CG.

Correct me if I am wrong but the purpose of a radio check is to see if you are transmitting and receiving - yes? Or is it to check that the CG can hear you?

If I need a radio check I call my marina office on ch80. But they are only 100m away. Is a radio check to a station 100m a waste of time if it the CG that I will want to contact in an emergency?

 

[DAKA]

I once left Port solent after speaking to the lock keeper on 80, I crossed to Le harve after chatting to my mate most of the way across on 77, when I got to le harve I found my vhf cable was not plugged in.
The radio worked perfectly for 100 m or so but would have been useless in a mayday situation.

And lets not forget a radio check is a great way to broadcast to your mates that you are out and about /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[ebbtide]

"I crossed to Le harve (where?)after chatting to my mate most of the way across on 77".

Had you the prudence to attempt to log your passage plan with the CG you would have discovered the technical problem earlier.
That's what radio usage, and seamanship, is all about.

 

[Wiggo]

Slightly OT, but every now and again I try to do the decent thing and talk to marinas on low power, particularly round the Solent where there is so much traffic on 80. Almost never get a response, so end up switching to high power. Is this because they have the squelch turned up too high to try and drown out the traffic?

 

[DAKA]

[ QUOTE ]
"I crossed to Le harve (where?)after chatting to my mate most of the way across on 77".

Had you the prudence to attempt to log your passage plan with the CG you would have discovered the technical problem earlier.
That's what radio usage, and seamanship, is all about.

[/ QUOTE ]

Its the place just on the left as you enter the river sane /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Anyway, as I was cruising with 20 boats that had put a collective passage plan in there was no need for me to put mine in, I herd my name being included.
I could pick up other boats local to me.

 

[doug748]

I always wonder where the radio check/Coastguard thing came from?
I have done VHF courses and never remember it being mentioned. I have read a few books and never seen it in print.
Is it passed on like an oral playground tradition?
Who perpetuates this - is it in the RYA stuff?
The frosty reception from the Coastguard could sometimes freeze a stiff gin and tonic.
Baffled

 

[Wiggo]

I can't remember where I came across it, but it's worth pointing out that a radio check should only be needed if you have reason to think something has changed i.e. you've been buggering about with the electrics, fitted a new radio or whatever. And it is easiest done with another boat or the marina rather than the CG. Although that wouldn't have picked up DAKA's oddball scenario...

 

[sundancer9000]

i always radio check with the coastguard when i am going on boat. The bigger the distance the check is over the better. checking with a local marina/club etc only demonstrates equipment capabilities similar to a cheap walkie talkie with a clothes hanger for an aerial. Realising this in a mayday situation could be tragic. I think if you are legally able to carry out a 'routine' radio check you should.