SWR figures

[KompetentKrew]

In my post above I had assumed that as the OP used the Coastguard to check his VHF then they performed the same sort of role as our Marine Rescue - seems not

OP seems reluctant to do that though.

My understanding if the original post was that OP bought the SWR meter specifically because he "didn't want to bother the coastguard". He has never used his radio except for two test calls.

This use of the SWR meter seems wrongheaded to me, because having a low or "good" SWR doesn't mean your radio is working. Am I wrong?

I can't make any sense of many of the recommendations given on this thread - surely we should be recommending that OP put the SWR meter away until he's tested the radio by communicating with a nearby friend, then National Coastwatch or the coastguard at a further distance

By all means OP should get the SWR meter out again if he can't raise National Coastwatch at Calshot tower from (for example) Cowes, but it seems pointless as a first line of testing.

 

[Neeves]

SWR, standing wave ratio, it’s the measurement of the transmit power to reflected back, 1:1 is optimal but not achievable in the real world, high SWR damages the radio output stages as it sends power backwards, simple answer as it’s a little complicated

Thank you, I prefer the simple answer.

It seems an expensive 'first port of call'. when using the radio itself might have been easier quicker (but I do keep my wallet tightly closed (not that it ever has any money in it ).

I think Kompetent Krew said some thing similar if not identical.

Jonathan

 

[Neeves]

In Sydney our opening channel remains Ch 16 - we are then directed to one of a few working channels dependent on where we are - as the repeaters provide the coverage and we might be directed to the nearest or most appropriate geographic repeater.

We simply don't have the volume of traffic that is implied in some parts of the UK so overcrowding is not an issue. We are sometimes but only very occasionally requested to hold as they get through a queue of contacts.

Jonathan

 

[lustyd]

We simply don't have the volume of traffic that is implied in some parts of the UK so overcrowding is not an issue.

In reality we don’t in the UK either, it’s just that the British love to moan about things. Even in the Solent where I’m based its not an actual problem just a minor annoyance if you’re listening to channel 16, but that’s easily solved by not listening to 16 when its busy.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Here in Fremantle the Volunteer Sea Rescue group run, with government subsidies, the pleasure boating safety coverage. They have a working channel 73 used for setting up SAR coverage and general calling including radio checks. All works really well in fact as said there are a handfull of similar setups around west oz coast and a network of repeaters. Interesting that for after hours coverage the message is repeated back to the home of the person on duty. Also interesting is that they (Fremantle) have a waiting list of would be volunteers and strict vetting criteria. Each person does a shift about once per fortnight. They (Fremantle) also run 4 I think ocean going rescue boats and so work with water police and marine branch of government in a search and rescue.
You can join the group for about 20 squid per year gives you rescue tow back to home mooring but non members only get a guarantee rescue to safety.
ol'will

The UK Coastguard are part of the government maintained emergency services, along with fire, ambulance and police. Their primary job is to coordinate rescue services, and (as their name implies!) keep a general eye on things in UK waters. They used to keep a visual watch at stations all around the UK coastline, but this is no longer the case, and hasn't been for a very long time. National Coastwatch Institute is a volunteer organization that has taken over some of the visual watch duties, and maintains stations at various points round the coast, but does not provide comprehensive cover.

I think the various Australian services being mentioned correspond more closely to the NCI than to the Coastguard.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

In reality we don’t in the UK either, it’s just that the British love to moan about things. Even in the Solent where I’m based its not an actual problem just a minor annoyance if you’re listening to channel 16, but that’s easily solved by not listening to 16 when its busy.

As you say, I think it's mainly a South Coast problem. But my VHF course stressed that "radio check" was the most over-used routine call, and that UNLESS you had reason to believe your VHF was misbehaving, you should not use it. And if you did need to check your radio, you should exhaust other avenues BEFORE calling the Coastguard. I recently did my first ever radio check - I'd just installed a new antenna and cabling! But unfortunately, some people feel it necessary to do a radio check every time they leave port, and that is quite unnecessary and wastes Coastguard resources.

Worth bearing in mind that a condition of your VHF license, imposed by the ITU, is that you keep a listening watch on channel 16!

 

[lustyd]

But my VHF course stressed that

Yes you're right, a surprisingly large number of the moaning nit-pickers go on to become instructors too!

I am aware of the listening watch requirement. Common sense suggests that in extremely busy areas like the Solent that is unnecessary and I doubt the ITU would have a problem with someone who is effectively sailing on an extremely busy open lake turning down the radio or changing channel. Personally I leave the radio on 11, 12 or 80 in the Solent.