Stop Radio Checks

[oldmanofthehills]

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p.s. I can't even get a mobile signal at the boatyard.

Very peaceful at Treluggan as no nonsense calls from family - though slightly problematic when delivery driver with our new engine tried to ring to confirm the farm track turn.

However new radio antenna operation was checked by seeing how many boats at Jupiter Point the radio could see on its AIS function despite hills in the way. If antenna good enough for strong receive it will work for transmit, and just pressing transmit and hearing handheld squawk confirms transmit functionality.

Except after such refits there seems little need for radio checks, though having had old system fail on a 2nd person mayday I was a bit shaken, and probably should call NCI

Even so the pointless UK radio check stuff is dwarfed by pointless fishermans chat off the coast of Brittany. They obviously were never instructed on how to change working channel

 

[laika]

A DSC test call can be made to a shore station, which automatically (and silently) sends out a DSC response.

What radio do you have? The test call function mentioned in the video is a new thing which few of us will have.

nci don’t seem to publish an mmsi for tests via an individual call.

 

[boomerangben]

If there’s a need for “sufficient distance” and a general ignorance (in the nicest possible sense of the word) of where CG transmitters are, then a radio check with the CG is pointless, or at least may give a false sense of security.

I get the need to check the radio from time to time (being a couple of times per season) but is it not best done on the first shake down trip beyond 10 nm or some other arbitrary but significant distance?

The question then is why do we carry radios? Is it purely a means of raising the alarm when in distress? Ultimately an EPIRB or PLB has better coverage than a radio. Is it for long range (20+nm) coms or for short range stuff. How do we know we are not in a black spot when we might need it most? I should have a radio for the port authority who monitor vessel movements and a hand held is perfectly adequate.

How often do people use their radios for anything other than port/marina ops or radio checks? Would a DSC handheld not fulfill most requirements and have the added benefit of security, simplicity and you can have to hand in the cockpit at all times? You can still respond to others in need close by and vice-versa…….

And yes I am playing devils advocate to an extent, but if we really look at how we use the radio, just how important are radio checks?

 

[jlavery]

If there’s a need for “sufficient distance” and a general ignorance (in the nicest possible sense of the word) of where CG transmitters are, then a radio check with the CG is pointless, or at least may give a false sense of security.

I get the need to check the radio from time to time (being a couple of times per season) but is it not best done on the first shake down trip beyond 10 nm or some other arbitrary but significant distance?

The question then is why do we carry radios? Is it purely a means of raising the alarm when in distress? Ultimately an EPIRB or PLB has better coverage than a radio. Is it for long range (20+nm) coms or for short range stuff. How do we know we are not in a black spot when we might need it most? I should have a radio for the port authority who monitor vessel movements and a hand held is perfectly adequate.

How often do people use their radios for anything other than port/marina ops or radio checks? Would a DSC handheld not fulfill most requirements and have the added benefit of security, simplicity and you can have to hand in the cockpit at all times? You can still respond to others in need close by and vice-versa…….

And yes I am playing devils advocate to an extent, but if we really look at how we use the radio, just how important are radio checks?

My view is we need a reliable radio with decent range for when we need to contact other vessels or the CG. In the event of an emergency (not all are related to the boat, what about health emergencies?), we need to be able to raise the alarm and have a two-way conversation with other parties. An EPIRB or PLB (which we also carry) does not satisfy that requirement.

BTW - having read previous posts, I take the point that some of those calling for checks may be on a charter boat or boat which is new to them. If I were chartering, I would do a radio check so I know that the installation is OK (but with NCI if available!).

 

[Mister E]

Why in the Solent would you not ring 999 ?

 

[jlavery]

Why in the Solent would you not ring 999 ?

You could. Then you'd be transferred to the CG, who could talk to you and task a lifeboat or do whatever is needed.

However, using the VHF, you're in touch with others who could be nearby to assist. I've attended two MAYDAYs in the Solent, as a result of hearing the VHF call, in the last two years. First one, we stood off a motorboat which had an engine fire, ready to take people off if it escalated. Second one I went aboard to help get a boat off the mud (didn't need to be a MAYDAY, but that's a separate question). If they'd called 999, we and other vessels in the area wouldn't be aware until the CG then put out a call asking for vessels in the area to help. In both cases, we were 200m away and able to help immediately.

So 999 has its uses, but VHF is more localised and in my opinion allows more targetted assistance.

 

[Boathook]

What radio do you have? The test call function mentioned in the video is a new thing which few of us will have.

nci don’t seem to publish an mmsi for tests via an individual call.

I do dsc test calls to the coastguard. Get an automated response in seconds. Radio is an icom that must be at least 10 years plus old now.

 

[laika]

I do dsc test calls to the coastguard. Get an automated response in seconds. Radio is an icom that must be at least 10 years plus old now.

Are you talking an individual call or the new test category? I don’t believe the m604 had the latter

 

[wonkywinch]

If antenna good enough for strong receive it will work for transmit, and just pressing transmit and hearing handheld squawk confirms transmit functionality.

I'm afraid that's not correct. SWR is much less important for rx than it is tx. My boat had the wrong connector used to join the cable to the mast. The wires still joined and any DC test would have said they were electrically connected but the SWR was so bad, AIS could receive a mile or so but it was incapable of transmitting.

Short Wave listeners can use a long piece of thin wire but you cannot use the same antenna set up to transmit. Just because something breaks through the squelch (a user variable setting) does not give any indication of it being "good enough".

 

[Boathook]

Are you talking an individual call or the new test category? I don’t believe the m604 had the latter

The radio is an icom ic- m423. I just do a test call to solent cg and their system responds acknowledging it, proving that my dsc works OK. Not to sure what this new test category is.
Edit. It would seem that I'm doing the same test as In the video on post 44. Must try the internal loop test that was shown.

Edit 2! The radio was new in June 2012. It was expensive, just under £400, but it included the command mic that I have fitted by the helm. I don't regret the investment or the backup from icom.

 

[ColinR]

you can use the AIS to check that the VHF antenna is working properly if its got a VSWR meter on it. Mine does and its not that new (Vesper 850). Plug the VHF antenna into the AIS instead of its dedicated antenna and look at the VSWR reading. A low number indicates it is working well.

 

[laika]

The radio is an icom ic- m423.

I stand corrected. I didn’t realise this feature had been available so long. I bought my m604 anround the same time and it lacks the test feature. In the absence of this I suppose one could “test” DSC by making an individual call to a shore station, observe the channel change and not follow up with a voice call but that seems “wrong”.

 

[obmij]

I stand corrected. I didn’t realise this feature had been available so long. I bought my m604 anround the same time and it lacks the test feature. In the absence of this I suppose one could “test” DSC by making an individual call to a shore station, observe the channel change and not follow up with a voice call but that seems “wrong”.

That would be a bit odd. Bit like ringing someone and putting the phone down when they answer!

At least if you radio check a shore station via DSC (and complete the call) you are not cluttering up CH16 and will go directly from 70 to your chosen working CH.

Nothing wrong with a DSC radio check to another vessel either! Assuming you have AIS, pick one at random a good distance away and give 'em a call.

 

[Daydream believer]

Nothing wrong with a DSC radio check to another vessel either! Assuming you have AIS, pick one at random a good distance away and give 'em a call.

Do not pick on me please. It can be hard work going below to turn off the radio & back on again, which is what I do to all DSC calls. Cannot be arsed working out which buttons to push etc. Cannot see the screen without changing glasses etc & it is just too much hassle.
I do recall many years ago trying a DSC check with the coastguard. - No reply. A short while later I called on VHF 16 & asked for an RC. I also mentioned the DSC call. " Oh yeah. We did get one a while ago" Never said why they ignored it.

 

[SaltyC]

Confession time. In the Solent and South Coast i just cancel DSC alerts, on the West Coast I actually check them. No prejudice just numbers and frequency.

 

[laika]

That would be a bit odd. Bit like ringing someone and putting the phone down when they answer!

Not exactly given that no-one at the shore station actually does anything when you make a non-distress dsc call to the coastguard. All that happens is that your radio switches to their working channel and the coastguard only "respond" to a subsequent voice call. Initiating an individual call to the coastguard and not following up with a voice call to test dsc isn't something I've done, intend to do or would advocate but I'd be interested to know if anyone knows why it would be actively bad.

 

[B27]

Not exactly given that no-one at the shore station actually does anything when you make a non-distress dsc call to the coastguard. All that happens is that your radio switches to their working channel and the coastguard only "respond" to a subsequent voice call. Initiating an individual call to the coastguard and not following up with a voice call to test dsc isn't something I've done, intend to do or would advocate but I'd be interested to know if anyone knows why it would be actively bad.

Doesn't actually test your ability to make a voice call though.

 

[Sandy]

Very peaceful at Treluggan as no nonsense calls from family - though slightly problematic when delivery driver with our new engine tried to ring to confirm the farm track turn.

However new radio antenna operation was checked by seeing how many boats at Jupiter Point the radio could see on its AIS function despite hills in the way. If antenna good enough for strong receive it will work for transmit, and just pressing transmit and hearing handheld squawk confirms transmit functionality.

The telephone silence at Trellugan is peaceful.

Quite surprised to see that my AIS was on Marine Traffic when I switched everything on again. Marine Traffic must have a new receiving station in Plymouth.

 

[wonkywinch]

Marine Traffic must have a new receiving station in Plymouth.

If you go to Marine Traffic then select Layers/POI/Stations, then you can see where they are.

Looks like six in the area, the busiest at Rame Head NCI, Stoke (called "Overwatch") and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. They are located at the green & brown funnels on the map although closest to you is one known as "2e0pxc" in Cove Meadow, Wilcove which may have picked you up, click on them for the history - Details for AIS station 2e0pxc | AIS MarineTraffic

The station operator is a radio amateur (look up on QRZ.com) and easy to find on Google.

 

[ylop]

The solution is surely quite simple and lies with the Coastguard who could put a stop to this nonsense in a short space of time. When some pathetic dribbler asks for a radio check, just ignore them. Never respond to them. Simples!

The original station having not got a response will likely try again, check radio settings, try again, check wiring try again etc - as a way to reduce traffic it might be counter productive.

They could simply reply “please conduct radio checks with NCI on Ch65, Solent coastguard out”. But perhaps it’s not quite the crisis for them that yachties perceive.

Personally, my radio gets tested talking to my club or a harbour master when I'm looking for a mooring.
Calling my club at a reasonable range is a much better test than calling the CG who has the best aerials in the business.

Almost every time I’ve started doubting my radio it’s been calling a HM or Marina - not all are great at responding!

I get the need to check the radio from time to time (being a couple of times per season) but is it not best done on the first shake down trip beyond 10 nm or some other arbitrary but significant distance?

Unless you are say 9 miles off when trouble hits and you make a mayday call and discover it doesn’t work!

My personal approach is 1. If I have to call VTS/HM etc then that’s the reassurance I need. 2. If I dont need to do that and haven’t used the radio for a while, I’m usually somewhere remote so I’ll call CG with “routine traffic” and share my plans (I’ve discovered in those situations I usually don’t have good data for safetrx)
3. If I don’t get a response to messages then I might do a specific radio check with whoever I think is best to help

FWIW I’ve heard VTS doing radio checks for commercial vessels and both the CH Helo and Lifeboat asking for radio checks with Belfast CG on 16 so I don’t feel it’s true to say it’s only leisure sailors who do it.

Why in the Solent would you not ring 999 ?

why would you! There’s a tool designed for the job that means any neighbouring vessel can hear, the CG/LB can direction find on it, it’s waterproof, etc.

Do not pick on me please. It can be hard work going below to turn off the radio & back on again, which is what I do to all DSC calls. Cannot be arsed working out which buttons to push etc. Cannot see the screen without changing glasses etc & it is just too much hassle.

You cancel distress alerts because you can’t be bothered to change your glasses.