When do I need to use my call sign?

[Nick2]

Just interested to know when a call sign is used and why do we have them?

Can't seem to remember it coming up on VHF course.

Thanks

Nick

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2>http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2</A>

 

[hlb]

Well every now and then, some pratt at the coast guards asks you for it. Course we all say we dont know, cos the thingys in a drawer some place. So they say Ho Hum and carry on as normal......./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[Solitaire]

Normal when asked by CG to do so. If you have a seperate handheld which is not under your full boat license then you get an individual call sign which you use.

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboat-training.co.uk>Serious</A> Fun

 

[boatone]

No you dont, you get a 'T' number, much less impressive than a call sign.......hello solent coastguard, this is T 123456 calling........nowhere near as imposing as 'golf charlie echo one seven....or whatever.......

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsontheweb.com/> Website, Photo Gallery, Chat Room, Burgees</A>

 

[Solitaire]

Ah - I knew there was a seperate call sign. I stand corrected. Another thing to add to the memory bank - thanks for that B1

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboat-training.co.uk>Serious</A> Fun

 

[c_j]

When you start off on a trip you notify Coastguard of intended trip, length and type of vessel, number of souls on board, Estimated time of arrival at destination and VHF call sign. From the Callsign they can cross reference your CG66 (you have let them have a CG66 havent you?) and then when you arrive at said destination you let local coastguard know and they then know you have arrived safely. You enter the log of the VHF message in your seperate VHF log (because as you will know the VHF licence is not valid without your vhf log and the terms booklet). It is handy to keep a note of your callsign both on the VHF log and the ships log.

Some will say this is all a waste of time and effort but I do it for trips that are anything other than short or round trips in the same coastguard area. The CG66 scheme also has a return card that gives the name of a shore contact of your choosing, but primarily is a database record fo all the important details about your vessel in case of a search and rescue.

I feel happy now.

<hr width=100% size=1>CJ
cjs@stone.uk.com


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.stone.uk.com>http://www.stone.uk.com</A>

 

[hlb]

Well. Of course I used to do all this stuff. But then once, I arived in Guernsey and I'd forgot to tell them I'd arived. Radio did not work in the marina so desparatly I rang them. You need not have bothered they said. We do nowt less some one rings us. Well, we never know anyone to tell that we are going. Dont even know that till we've gone. So all a bit pointless, unless you tell some one where your going and what time you will arrive. By which time you have already sunk!!

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[sfh]

I have heard the CG request call signs, when plagued with endless radio checks,

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Nick2]

Thank you for this explanation - I had forgotten that did actually fill in and send off my CG66 and so it all makes sense now.

We have tended to do shortish hops this year but I will make full use of the service when going further afield.

Must look into VHF log however.....

Thanks

Nick

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2>http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2</A>

 

[hlb]

I've been asked once in hum about 14 years. But that was in Wales, so dont get to worried!!

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[whisper]

Blimey! Don't recall anything about having to keep a VHF Log from when I did the course. Can you buy these in book form?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AuntyRinum]

Coastguard sometimes ask for it but if you ever make a link call (ship to shore telephone call) through a coast radio station, they will always ask for it. If you can't give them the call sign then you won't get connected.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Alistairr]

I thought ship to shore telephone calls were no longer possible. on VHF??

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http:////http://www.hamptonandmcmurray.co.uk>Hampton and McMurray</A>

 

[c_j]

A VHF log is just any notebook with VHF log on the front. It does not even have to have any entries to satisfy the conditions. The date time and details of any transmission are entered.

I think the good thing about notifying CG (routine traffic) is that it gives a point of departure and direction if something bad happens. It keeps your VHF skills up to date and is reassuring to your passengers if you have just done safety briefing.

If someone on shore (the CG66 person) speaks to CG then they can instigate a search if you are delayed, and the CG has a date time and place to start looking.

Anyway I just like pressing the little blue transmit button.

Of course the truth is that there are a whole load of people out there who would rather not do it because they dont have a license! You can have a marine VHF radio on a ship so long as you have your ships licence even though you may not be licensed to use it and you CAN use it in an emergency licensed or not. So I suspect there are many people out there who have not done the VHF training but have a VHF on board and then use it very occasionally for inter boat but really only see it as a means of making a distress message.

<hr width=100% size=1>CJ
cjs@stone.uk.com


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.stone.uk.com>http://www.stone.uk.com</A>

 

[c_j]

Your right, link calls are no longer possible

<hr width=100% size=1>CJ
cjs@stone.uk.com


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.stone.uk.com>http://www.stone.uk.com</A>

 

[AuntyRinum]

I thought that was only in the UK.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[kingfisher]

Over here, you don't need to give it: ATIS equiped VHFs automaticaly transmit the call sign when the talk-button is pushed.

The firts time I entered Terneuzen locks with my new VHF, they wanted everything: owners adress, boat dimensions, just not my shoe size. Now if I contact the lock, they immidiately get a pop-up on their screens with all my data and a square to fit in the immage of their lock on the screen, to puzzle me in.



<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com