Radio checks?

Rob_Webb · 25 Jun 2003

Over the weekend I thought I heard Solent CG tag a message onto the end of his MSI broadcast about not entertaining radio checks at all anymore on Ch16 - and only on Ch67 for a good reason e.g. a radio engineer calls up to check an installation. He recommended calling another shore station for a check.

Did I hear right? If so, about bloody time too, I reckon, good job SCG - something had to be done!

But I wonder how long it will take for the message to spread and how it will work in practice in the meantime? I mean, how will SCG actually respond - will they literally ignore the first call and if people persist in calling 2-3 times on Ch16/67 (in ignorance of the new procedure) - what then? It could lead to some surreal conversations such as "I am not replying to you but go away"!

Until the word spreads, in the short term it could even lead to more wasted traffic on Ch16/67 as people learn at first hand that they are ignorant plonkers.

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Twister_Ken · 25 Jun 2003

You heard right. nm

`

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Rob_Webb · 25 Jun 2003

Cool! nm.

.

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tome · 25 Jun 2003

Re: You heard right. nm

Peace at last!

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Twister_Ken · 25 Jun 2003

Hasn\'t stopped the RCs though. nm

`

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Robin · 25 Jun 2003

Yes You Heard Right, But

The prats who call for radio checks only use CH16 and wouldn't have heard the message after the MSI. If they don't go to sea but just stay on board to play sailor on the radio, they don't need a forecast.

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tcm · 25 Jun 2003

Re: Yes You Heard Right, But

i heard somebody put in a passage plan from portsmouth to Newtown creek!

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paulplatts · 25 Jun 2003

Over the years the coastguards have encouraged the use of VHF communications, and as far as I can tell, much more so than in other countries. Chatter in France is a lot less. So it is reasonable to verify that the radios are working etc. But the number of "radio check" calls can get out of hand at times - particularly in the Solent at weekends. You often hear the same boats calling the coastguard - I almost think your can hear them getting annoyed or exasperated as the day goes on.

There is an issue with testing the DSC distress calling function of newer radios. I have not tried this as yet and see no obvious way of doing this without raising a distress call - something I don't want to do. The only way I can see that you will know this works, or otherwise, is in a distress situation - not the best time to test it out.

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Robin · 25 Jun 2003

Re: Yes You Heard Right, But

But did he ask for a radio check first, at least he got one indirectly.

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tome · 25 Jun 2003

You can test the DSC function by calling SCG via their MMSI number. When you receive an acknowledgement follow this with a voice call on ch67 giving your MMSI number. They will then give you a DSC signal strength from 1 to 5 (best) which is useful.

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Robin · 25 Jun 2003

It's contageous in the Solent, one starts and they all want a go. It amuses me when the CG says weak, broken and unreadable - they say thank you Solent (well some bother to say thanks) but what do they do next - rush off to the repair shop radio in hand, or wait an hour and try again?

Points to note

If it worked last time out it probably still does.
If your buddy can hear you call him, the CG can probably hear you too.
Calling at short range from within the Solent is no real test anyway.

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tony_brighton · 25 Jun 2003

Re: Radio checks? - Kim??

About time too. Kim - how about some coverage of this in the mags next month.

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DiverTitch · 25 Jun 2003

Full instructions on how to do this are given on a DSC course!

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Robin · 25 Jun 2003

But can they read? NM

NM

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davel · 25 Jun 2003

The responsibility for providing radio checks has been subject to much debate within the government and throughout the Radio Communications Agency. As most of you know, the RCA is about to be merged with other government groups to form OFFCOM. It is event that has triggered the change in the way Radio Checks will be handled in future.

OFFCOM has issued three licences to operate the Radio Check service with effect from 1st July 2003. The licences were issued to the highest bidders and a total of 90.5 million pounds was generated from this. The agency winning the Solent licence (covering the area from Selsey Bill to Portland) was the same company that operates the new 11 88 88 directory enquiry service. They have retained the same talented advertising agency to handle the transition to the new "Radio Apperatus Confirmation of Transmission and Reception Service" as it is officially known by OFFCOM. Fortunately the new advertising company recognised that this was a bit of a mouthfull and have therefore rebranded the service as "Radio Cheques".

As the name suggests, this is a profit making enterprise and future radio checks can only be obtained after buying a prepaid Radio Cheques voucher which will be available at most chandlers and Marinas. A 10 Check voucher will cost just £19.99. To use the service, the user must call "Radio Cheques, Radio Cheques, Radio Cheques, This is XXX, can I have a radio cheque please against voucher number 12345". The Radio Cheques operator will then confirm the validity of the voucher before responding with a confirmation message.

In order to add value to the existing radio check service, the operator will also wish you a happy birthday if the request is made 3 days either side of the date held on their database as being the anniversary of your birth.

I hope this helps clarify the situation.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dave L.

Twister_Ken · 25 Jun 2003

Love it.

Where can I buy vouchers, and how much extra is p&p?

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davel · 25 Jun 2003

Re: Love it.

As it happens, I have just made, sorry, obtained, a supply of "limited edition" vouchers that are bound to become collectors items. Face Value £19.99 - yours for just £100 plus £9.99 "handling fee".

<hr width=100% size=1>Dave L.

tony_brighton · 25 Jun 2003

Re: Yes You Heard Right, But

Maybe he didn't have a very big boat and thought that was a long trip!

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Rob_Webb · 25 Jun 2003

What stops people making fraudulent radio checks against someone else's voucher number that they heard used legitimately on an earlier occassion? They could even call using the legitimate boat name and callsign - just to confirm their radio kit works?

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BrendanS · 25 Jun 2003

Unique one time code number on each voucher, and if it's not valid (paid for) or has been used previously, they won't answer

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

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