Radio checks

[MrB]

Following on from the radio check thread the Coast Guard just tweeted this....

View attachment 43372

 

[RAI]

It's amazing how chatty the UK airwaves are. It's much quieter elsewhere.

 

[Bru]

That seems to pretty much settle that then!

And we all need to start getting to grips with DSC calling really but the menu system on the Icom fitted to Erbas is so obtuse that even a geeky techhead like me struggles with it :/

 

[snowleopard]

the menu system on the Icom fitted to Erbas is so obtuse that even a geeky techhead like me struggles with it :/

When I first got my Icom, I couldn't make head or tail of it. It turned out the programming was faulty in that it didn't present the working channel selection screen during the Individual Call sequence. It also didn't switch to high power on selecting Ch 16. I sent it back and they re-programmed it and all of a sudden I could make DSC calls - which I always do when I know the other party's MMSI (including CG).

 

[ricky_s]

I can see their point but calling a marina will not show up if your VHF is getting any sort of range. I found this out last year when I tried to call them even though I'd called to lock out earlier.

 

[Bru]

When I first got my Icom, I couldn't make head or tail of it. It turned out the programming was faulty in that it didn't present the working channel selection screen during the Individual Call sequence. It also didn't switch to high power on selecting Ch 16. I sent it back and they re-programmed it and all of a sudden I could make DSC calls - which I always do when I know the other party's MMSI (including CG).

Interesting. Ours seems to be working as per the manual though, just really clunky navigation and a lack of information on the display. The Standard Horizon I fitted to Brigantia was much better (but not perfect even then). The DSC functionality in particular is sufficiently pernickety to use to make simply making a voice call on 16 much the more attractive option

I really must sit down and work out how to make a DSC test call though, that is a must

 

[marklucas]

Depends if it's the marina that you are in!

 

[maby]

Depends if it's the marina that you are in!

Not really - marinas are only licensed to operate on low power, so they may be hearing you, but you will not hear their reply unless you are pretty close to them.

The best solution really is to learn to use the DSC test function. If your radio has the same firmware bug as mine, it will also let you switch to channel zero and snoop on the SAR traffic.

 

[marklucas]

Not really - marinas are only licensed to operate on low power, .

True, but they good installations on top of buildings - one can certainly call Port Hamble from Cowes which is a reasonable distance.

 

[TiggerToo]

I really must sit down and work out how to make a DSC test call though, that is a must

and when you have do that, can you come back here and teach us?

 

[maby]

True, but they good installations on top of buildings - one can certainly call Port Hamble from Cowes which is a reasonable distance.

Some, possibly, but I usually cannot hear our marina at a range of five miles, so it's not guaranteed. DSC Test is the way to go!

 

[Sandy]

But what do they mean by a routine alert?

 

[Elemental]

But what do they mean by a routine alert?

A DSC call.

http://www.egmdss.com/gmdss-courses/mod/resource/view.php?id=128

 

[Sandy]

A DSC call.

http://www.egmdss.com/gmdss-courses/mod/resource/view.php?id=128

Thanks Sea_Spray, why did they not say so ...

 

[Barnacle Bill]

When I first got my Icom, I couldn't make head or tail of it. It turned out the programming was faulty in that it didn't present the working channel selection screen during the Individual Call sequence. It also didn't switch to high power on selecting Ch 16. I sent it back and they re-programmed it and all of a sudden I could make DSC calls - which I always do when I know the other party's MMSI (including CG).

I also bought a DSC set and appeared to be the first person to discover a design fault that prevented it from making DSC calls (I talked to the designers and ultimately confirmed this).

I drew the (perhaps rash) conclusion: the fact that nobody had so far noticed that this mainstream model didn't work, spoke volumes about the usefulness of DSC. (You could, of course, still use it to call on Ch 16).

 

[Elemental]

Thanks Sea_Spray, why did they not say so ...

Too much techno-speak...

 

[Elemental]

conclusion: the fact that nobody had so far noticed that this mainstream model didn't work, spoke volumes about the usefulness of DSC. (You could, of course, still use it to call on Ch 16).

I think DSC is incredibly useful. But rarely use it. Anything that keeps CH16 clear is good by me. The fact that it isn't widely used perhaps indicates a lethargy amongst the user base rather than an intrinsic lack of utility of the service. The CG could do everyone a favour, if they replied to all ch16 radio check requests with the appropriate check information plus a request to utilise DSC next time... That way, users would tend to move checks of ch16 and become more familiar with DSC in the process.

 

[FishyInverness]

And for those of us Kayakers on a budget, with non-DSC handhelds?
Pray what do we do Mr Coastguard?

I have no idea what vessels in the vicinity have their VHF on, and surely if I call a radio check on 16 (Which I do every sea trip - I'm advised to carry my VHF, it would be daft for me not to ensure it's working!!) , the coastguard hears it anyway.

Inverness Marina is hardly manned on Ch80, and The Caley Canal on Ch74 are unlikely to be manned after the late afternoon - my choices if kayaking out of the Moray Firth are limited...

 

[Elemental]

And for those of us Kayakers on a budget, with non-DSC handhelds?
Pray what do we do Mr Coastguard?

I have no idea what vessels in the vicinity have their VHF on, and surely if I call a radio check on 16 (Which I do every sea trip - I'm advised to carry my VHF, it would be daft for me not to ensure it's working!!) , the coastguard hears it anyway.

Inverness Marina is hardly manned on Ch80, and The Caley Canal on Ch74 are unlikely to be manned after the late afternoon - my choices if kayaking out of the Moray Firth are limited...

Assuming you do have to do a radio check (I don't agree, but there you go ...) then I'd have thought the answer is obvious - just do what you do currently.

 

[Alpha22]

I can see their point but calling a marina will not show up if your VHF is getting any sort of range. I found this out last year when I tried to call them even though I'd called to lock out earlier.

Calling the coast guard does not show up if you are getting any sort of range either. HMC have MASSIVE antenna arrays, high up on cliff tops, capable of eaking out even the weakest of signals. I would suggest that calling your marina and not getting a reply shows up exactly that you are not getting any sort of range.