VHF 16 Radio Checks

[bats]

VHF 16 radio checks are coming close to making me switch off the VHF. Which would be silly, because someone's life could depend on hearing a call.

With the cutbacks in MCA Coast Stations why do their operators still respond to these calls. Can't the checks be done on some other frequency than 16? Other countries seem to be able to keep VHF 16 virtually silent.

Mike

 

[TallBuoy]

Its indicative of the number of people who have not been on a VHF course, and learned not to do this.

You can always turn the volume down to a minimum, and 'hope' that any Mayday comes through as a digital distress alert first.

 

[Mistroma]

Its indicative of the number of people who have not been on a VHF course, and learned not to do this.

You can always turn the volume down to a minimum, and 'hope' that any Mayday comes through as a digital distress alert first.

I assumed that it was a bad habit picked up by newbies on hearing regular calls for radio checks. If one or two people do it in a busy area then I suspect it spreads easily as newbies hear it and it becomes the norm.

I once saw an entire line of power boats all tied up with expensive low stretch braid. They all had large rubber snubbers fitted about a year later. I reckon one guy went into the chandlers and asked for their most expensive rope (because his boat was worth it). A bit of "keeping up with the neighbours" and voila, they all had the same kit. Nice low stretch line with poor abrasion resistance. .

Raggies might have done the same but the power boats were all in a line and it stuck out when I was passing.

 

[Giblets]

I have often suspected that for some boaters the radio check is used to let friends know that they are out and about. I do wonder if those that do it on every outing also check that their mobile phone is working every time they switch it on!

 

[prv]

I assumed that it was a bad habit picked up by newbies on hearing regular calls for radio checks. If one or two people do it in a busy area then I suspect it spreads easily as newbies hear it and it becomes the norm.

Yep - although I also wonder whether Sunsail have anything to do with it, as they used to require a radio check to the office whenever you took out one of their boats. If you started your sailing with them, a radio check on takeoff is normal, and when you no longer have the Sunsail office you switch to the Coastguard...

As for the OP's request for another channel - it already exists, it's ch65, and your local NCI station will be pleased to assist. But how can he expect everyone else to use it when he's unaware himself?

Pete

 

[savageseadog]

It's self importance, conceit

 

[mlines]

Yep - although I also wonder whether Sunsail have anything to do with it, as they used to require a radio check to the office whenever you took out one of their boats. If you started your sailing with them, a radio check on takeoff is normal, and when you no longer have the Sunsail office you switch to the Coastguard...

As for the OP's request for another channel - it already exists, it's ch65, and your local NCI station will be pleased to assist. But how can he expect everyone else to use it when he's unaware himself?

Pete

+1 - Call NCI on 65, helpful and they welcome the contact

 

[TallBuoy]

Yep - although I also wonder whether Sunsail have anything to do with it, as they used to require a radio check to the office whenever you took out one of their boats. If you started your sailing with them, a radio check on takeoff is normal, and when you no longer have the Sunsail office you switch to the Coastguard...

An interesting assertion. Are there that many boaters out there who started their boating with Sunsail?

There is still a Sunsail office, and their can call the Marina too, so that's irrelevant. Also the hirers surely need a VHF certificate so should know better.

 

[jac]

An interesting assertion. Are there that many boaters out there who started their boating with Sunsail?

There is still a Sunsail office, and their can call the Marina too, so that's irrelevant. Also the hirers surely need a VHF certificate so should know better.

That said, I can see some sense in testing a new to you radio. If you own, you maybe test when you do some work on it, or at the beginning of the season, when you turn it on you are hearing the chatter, you know it transmitted last time you used it, so assume it still works properly. As a charterer, how do you know the radio works? If one charter firm then starts saying you should check then that spreads. I can see other firms adopting it on the precautionary principle and others continuing with it when they charter elsewhere.

 

[l'escargot]

VHF 16 radio checks are coming close to making me switch off the VHF. Which would be silly, because someone's life could depend on hearing a call.

With the cutbacks in MCA Coast Stations why do their operators still respond to these calls. Can't the checks be done on some other frequency than 16? Other countries seem to be able to keep VHF 16 virtually silent.

Mike

Wouldn't a virtually silent Ch16 encourage more radio checks because people might think their set wasn't working?

I generally call up the marina to tell them I'm vacating the berth, does it for me...

 

[EdWingfield]

Last year in N Holland I never heard one radio check.

But similar to OP, in Solent I (illegally) switched off the radio. The radio checks requests were so frequent.

CG should tell requesters to go buy a reliable set.

 

[DJE]

If you are in an area where the number of checks are upsetting you then the chances are that there are plenty of other people listening on Ch16 so a Mayday is unlikely to be missed. Switch it off if you must but it is just possible that you will miss traffic that is important to your own safety. Have you got a Navtex?

 

[aussi]

I check the radio every time I go on out by doing an automated DSC test message to the Coastguard and wouldn't leave the mooring without doing this - if you've got a DSC set, this mechanism checks send and receive and keeps ch 16 clear without bothering anybody.

 

[[70521]]

VHF 16 radio checks are coming close to making me switch off the VHF. Which would be silly, because someone's life could depend on hearing a call.

With the cutbacks in MCA Coast Stations why do their operators still respond to these calls. Can't the checks be done on some other frequency than 16? Other countries seem to be able to keep VHF 16 virtually silent.

Mike

Do I understand you are located in one of the more popular boating areas? All we ever hear in the west is the CG safety call every four hours.

 

[Giblets]

Wouldn't a virtually silent Ch16 encourage more radio checks because people might think their set wasn't working? .

Doesn't happen in the West Country and I doubt very much in Jersey!

 

[jac]

Doesn't happen in the West Country and I doubt very much in Jersey!

But how many charter fleets do you have in the west country and Jersey. I suspect owners very rarely do a radio check - perhaps only if they think something is wrong such as not hearing VTS, ch 16 / 67 etc. I suspect that as many charterers in the UK possibly do a radio check before they depart sheltered waters that charter boats can perhaps each produce 1 radio check every weekend in the season

 

[bedouin]

I check the radio every time I go on out by doing an automated DSC test message to the Coastguard and wouldn't leave the mooring without doing this - if you've got a DSC set, this mechanism checks send and receive and keeps ch 16 clear without bothering anybody.

How does that work?

I am about to fit a DSC check and would love to be able to automate the radio check.

I must admit I find the OPs posting ill-informed and offensive. VHF is a very important piece of safety equipment and I think it is important to know if it is working efficiently. As far as I know the only way to do that is to transmit a voice call to a station some distance away and confirm that it has been received correctly. Calls to a marina are no substitute, and certainly being able to receive is no guarantee that you can transmit more than few yards.

Given the demise of coastal radio stations it ought to be possible to dedicate a duplex channel to automated radio checks. Just retransmitting any message it receives.

 

[Giblets]

But how many charter fleets do you have in the west country and Jersey.

The majority of radio checks in the Solent are not charter fleets but individual boats. In fact I don't recall hearing a single Sunsail to CG request for some time now.

 

[pmagowan]

VHF 16 radio checks are coming close to making me switch off the VHF. Which would be silly, because someone's life could depend on hearing a call.

With the cutbacks in MCA Coast Stations why do their operators still respond to these calls. Can't the checks be done on some other frequency than 16? Other countries seem to be able to keep VHF 16 virtually silent.

Mike

How does that work?

I am about to fit a DSC check and would love to be able to automate the radio check.

I must admit I find the OPs posting ill-informed and offensive. VHF is a very important piece of safety equipment and I think it is important to know if it is working efficiently. As far as I know the only way to do that is to transmit a voice call to a station some distance away and confirm that it has been received correctly. Calls to a marina are no substitute, and certainly being able to receive is no guarantee that you can transmit more than few yards.

Given the demise of coastal radio stations it ought to be possible to dedicate a duplex channel to automated radio checks. Just retransmitting any message it receives.

You find the above quote 'offensive'? You have a thin skin. The OP is highlighting a problem and suggesting that there may be a solution. Luckily I sail where this is not an issue but it seems reasonable to discuss ways Ch16 can be kept clear.

 

[jac]

The majority of radio checks in the Solent are not charter fleets but individual boats. In fact I don't recall hearing a single Sunsail to CG request for some time now.

I was thinking more of the managed charters than sun sail specifically. There are several organisations along the Hamble that act as agents for private owners who charter boats to defray costs.