radio checks

Sorry, I was rolling around the cockpit, so just assumed it was a radio check!!

Brightened up our day considerably, Top Banana called right after you guys as well, so very amusing all around.....

Used to know another boat called "No Problem"...
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
We're in the market for an upgrade and are thinking of calling the next boat 'Sumfink Dubhing'. Perhaps we'll wait unitl the strike is over /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
found in the past its flash guys in there flash boats trying to inpress their flash freinds that they have actually got someone to talk to
 
Sorry - don't think I understand. Do you mean people calling in for checks or logging passage plans are flash guys in flash boats trying to impress, or have I mis read you?
 
there's a fishing boat up here called "Shy Tangler"

always raises a smile when I here them on the radio

Built up quite a relation ship with aberdeen/forth and humber coastguards this year, sailed from inverness to the tyne with bodged up jury rigged steering when the hydraulics failed, every couple of hours they call me or I'd call them for a check/position etc

had a wee kip and left a Friend in charge for half an hour when the radio crackled into life... my mate, who'd never used a vhf before responded admirably by putting the mike to his ear and trying to talk!

I took over and told the coastguard what he'd done.. think it made their night
 
I had a CG radio check 5 years ago, at the start of a season. But I hardly ever have the VHF on anyway as it's full of gossiping fishermen & yotties. Even if it was on, I am unlikely to hear it in the cockpit & couldn't answer if on the helm.

Oh, & I sent the grandkids out with the mobile to check the mobile this summer - so that checked the main set too.

If I feel the radio might be useful, I will use it to log a "passage plan", just who we are, whither bound & out of where, plus persons on board & ETA. That usually convinces me it works.

In general, I plan to get myself out of any scrapes I am daft enough to get into. So far I have been successful. Always glad there is a fall back option, but try to treat it as an absolute last resort. The best support we can give to the emergency services is to not bother them!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Does this make me a bad person?


[/ QUOTE ]

No it must be a different reason /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
There is quite a difference between aviation and marine leisure VHF use. Vhf COM on an aircraft is vital for ATC and safety, whereas on a leisure boat it is not generally needed for departure, route and arrival instructions. It's there for primarily for safety, whereas on an aircraft it is needed to function (ie receive ATC instructions). Without VHF COM on an aircraft you don't take off in controlled airspace, but on a leisure boat there is nothing stopping you making a short trip in familiar waters in good weather. The lack of a marine VHF on such trips is highly recommended but it's not the end of the world if it's bust in such favourable conditions. Anyway we carry hand held backup in the grab bag.

As to "test" calls in busy traffic areas is it not better to call CG on their working channel (ie not ch16), or marina ch to leave ch16 clear?
 
So how does the indutrial action work then? If they are refusing to do the job, then presumably they don't get paid, and if they're not getting paid, would they really be there at all? It can't be a work to rule, 'cos the rules include routine traffic calls. Is it managers covering the VHF channels, hence explaining they don't have time for radio checks and routine leisure traffic?
 
I may be wrong, please correct me if I am, but I think when they are on strike they are not being paid but are still turning up for work and dealing with emergencies.
 
In the Solent , strike or no strike I always ask for a radio check on full power just to Broadcast to all my mates that I am out and about, combined passage plan helps too.

SCG, SGC, this is DAKA, DAKA on passage to the Folly, radio check please over.

Away from the Solent you have to be more careful as they ask for a registration number or call sign.
I am bothered that they may check to see if I have a licence and passed a test to use a radio. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Yes, Solent Coastguard is particularly helpful, I've always found. There's never any need to remember which channel the marinas, harbour masters, water taxis or anything else is on - just call on 16 and Solent Coastguard is always there to advise the right working channel, particularly on busy weekends.
 
Levity aside, don't most people carry a h/h set as well as a fixed set? If so, surely it would be possible to test the gear by calling up one with the other?

The issue doesn't often arise for me because I am based in a locked marina so get the chance to test my vhf when I call the lock to let me out.
 
Quite right. I am thinking of doing the same thing as a chap I heard in southern france recently, who did a radio check to the local coastguard, and it was "fort et clair". But to make sure about it, the cautious sailor proceeded to request a radio check from *another* coastguard station a bit further away as well, just to make sure that the radio worked in more than the one direction and with more than one recipient, cos of course it's no good if the thing works *just* with (say) solent coastguard, is it?
 
No idea how this works.

If you consider the firemans strike the guys did not enter the 'office' they picketed outside.

The 999 peeps answered the call and relayed message to service personnel.

Did CG strikers actual go and sit at their desks and use the VHF? Almost certainly all the calls were answered with the industrial action statement - I suppose this had more impact than a picket line in this case. Most CG stations are a bit off the beaten land track f you think about it.
 
Serious post attempt by DAKA

I once went on an MBM cruise 110 nm to Le Harve.

My mate came to talk to me just as I was connecting the VHF.

I went all the way talking by VHF to my mate who was 1/4 mile away.

A mile off Le Harve I found the dangling VHF aerial, once plugged in I herd a lot more traffic.

my VHF worked perfectly but only a short distance.

Checking with lock as you exit is not good enough, need to check a mile or two away.

That was hard back to normal now..........

I recommend everyone this weekend does a proper radio check in the solent.
If the CG will not respond then everyone should move to 67 and help each other.
And dont forget the passage plan so other forum members can introduce themselves /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top