VHF Radios and Communication Systems VHF-HF/SSB-AIS Terry Sparks Commander USN Retired

Agenda What Communications Systems are Available? License Requirements What Can I Expect when using the different Systems Operation of VHF Use of Portable VHF

Agenda Break – 20 minutes Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) Automatic Identification System (AIS) Installation of VHF Radios Installation of AIS Receiver

What Communications Systems are Available

What is Available VHF Marine Radio (Very High Frequency) VHF Hand Held Radios HF/SSB Radio (High Frequency/ Single Sideband) Cell Phone AIS (Automated Information System) Satellite Phone also available, but not part of training.

License Requirements

License Requirements VHF Hand Held Radios – Same as above VHF Marine Radio – None US Operation Only Since 1996 for recreational boaters In US only communicating with other US Boaters VHF Hand Held Radios – Same as above AIS – As required by VHF Radio

License Requirements HF/SSB Radio Cell Phone – None Ships License or Ham dependent on frequency use Ships License and Call Sign covers EPIRB, Radar, HF, AIS, and VHF Also requires Operator’s Permit Cell Phone – None

What Can I Expect when using the different Systems

Prospective of the Horizon Horizon in NM= Distance to the horizon in Nautical Miles 1.17 X square root Sum of heights Height of Self + Height of other So if you are both at 8 feet 1.17 X SQRT(8 + 8) 1.17 X 4 = 4.68 NM A 50 foot Mast at both locations = 11.7 NM

What Can I Expect VHF Hand Held Radios VHF Marine Radio Line of site Communications Top of Mast to Radio Tower could be 40 miles Boat to Boat may only be 3-11 miles VHF Hand Held Radios 1-3 miles depending on your position and the contact antenna height. HF/SSB Radio - Potentially Around the world Cell Phone – Similar to VHF to cell tower, then the world. AIS – Similar to VHF, But will work at very low signal levels (digital signal).

Why install a VHF Radio? Chances are: You do not have the Cell phone number of the boat 100 yards away. You do not have the Cell phone number of the Coast Guard. You do not have the Cell phone number of the Ship headed your way. Your Cell phone will not work.

VHF Operation

Volume Level in Speaker Squelch Threshold to hear The Radio Volume Level in Speaker Push To Talk Channel Select Squelch Threshold to hear DSC Distress Scan 16 Over-Ride Weather

Channel Use Channel 16 Emergency and Hailing Channel. Coast Guard: 22A “No” Radio Checks Coast Guard: 22A Commercial Operations: 01, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 18, 19, 63, 67, 79, 80, and 88. Safety: 06 Used for ship-to-ship emergency coms Coast Guard S&R Vessel-to-vessel navigational safety: 13 ** Noncommercial working channels: 09, 68, 69, 71, 72, and 78 DSC – 70 Port operations: 01, 05, 12, 14, 63, 65, 66, 73, 74, and 77 Not for public use: 15, 17, 21, 23, 81, 82, and 83 ** 1W Power Only

Phonetic Alphabet November Alpha Bravo Charley Delta Echo Foxtrot Golf Hotel India Juliet Kilo Lima Mike November Oscar Papa Quebec Romeo Sierra Tango Uniform Victor Whiskey X-Ray Yankee Zulu

Radio Use Listen for anyone else using the channel Make Sure the Squelch is not to high Hail on Channel 16 to make contact (or use DSC) Then move to another channel (61, 63, 64, 68-72 and 78)

Radio Use When Contacting a Commercial vessel or Bridge, Try calling on 13. (Vessel Bridge to Bridge) Vessel Traffic System – Commercial Ship routing in Traffic Lanes. Channels 5, 11, 12, 14 Good to let them know you are there and where you are going and scan for others being routed Marinas frequently use channel 68 as a contact channel If you are talking to someone close, reduce power

Emergency Communications 1. The boat is in grave and imminent danger Distress (mayday) Calls are used when the boat is in grave and imminent danger and in need of immediate help. That means someone could die or vessel is sinking fast! Rescue authorities can reasonably expect you to leave the yacht if a rescue boat or helicopter arrives. (No arguments)

Emergency Communications 2. The boat or a crew member needs urgent help Urgency (pan pan) Calls are used when the boat or a crew member needs urgent help The boat is not in grave and imminent danger. No one will die if help is slow The boat will not sink before help arrives

Emergency Communications Example: On Channel 16 Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan, This is the vessel Lead Weight. We have a slow leak and the engine has failed. We are at Lat 47.234 Lon 126.234 drifting west at a speed of approximately 1 knot. There are 4 people on board. All have life Jackets on. Lead Weight is a brown vessel with white trim. Standing by on channel 16

Emergency Communications 3. Safety (SECURITÉ) securtité Calls are used for navigation or weather warnings. Pronounced – “say cure it tay”. Example: On Channel 16 Securite, Securite, Securite, There is a large log floating under the water at Lat 47.234 Lon 126.234 drifting East at approximately 0.5 knots.

VHF Operation – Emergency Communications Call on Channel 16 Listen for Clear Channel Repeat: Mayday, Mayday, Mayday Provide Call Sign (3 times) and Name of Vessel Provide Position information – “Lat & Lon”

VHF Operation – Emergency Communications State the Nature of Problem – “Hit underwater Rock Vessel sinking” Number of People on board and Status – “4 People on Board, one unconscious” Seaworthiness of Vessel – “Taking on Water” Describe Vessel – “Cream Colored 45’Sloop” Channel Monitoring – “Monitoring Channel 16” Repeat until answered

Emergency Communications When Reporting a Mayday or Pan Pan: Make Sure all have Life Jackets on Make sure someone is monitoring the radio Be Prepared with Position Reports Be Prepared to update Personnel Status For a Mayday, prepare to leave the boat.

Use of Portable VHF

Use of Portable VHF May be used around the Marina VHF Not for use in Town as a family radio Family Radio Service (FRS) is an improved walkie talkie radio system authorized in the US 1996. This personal radio service uses channelized frequencies in the (UHF) band. US FRS radios may not be used in MX. Must buy similar radios in MX certified for MX. Good to have in a Ditch Bag (with Extra Batteries)

Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) DSC available on MF, HF and VHF DSC is primarily intended to initiate radiotelephone calls. (Emergency and non-emergency) DSC calls can also be made to individual stations, groups of stations, or "all stations" in one's reach. DSC use requires an assigned/unique 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) Distress

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) DSC radio - ability to send an automatic "mayday" that identifies the vessel and location. Radio May also send information on Type of Issue Must be set up with MMSI number Must be tied to GPS position Data to be effective

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Allows contacting a friend via DSC without hailing on channel 16 Like using your cell phone. Private ship-to-ship calls to other vessels equipped with DSC radio. If you know the MMSI number of the radio you are calling only that vessel will receive you message. DSC allows contacting of a Group /Club Privately

Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)

MMSI Numbers Unique nine (9) Digit FCC Identification Number Like your Telephone Number for Radios Included with Ships License from FCC May also be Obtained from Boat US and Sea Tow

MMSI Numbers US VHF Users Only http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/ http://www.seasmartvhf.com/ Those Who Travel/Communicate Outside the U.S. http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations Must apply to the Federal Communications Commission for a ship station license. Ships License includes an MMSI Also need Operators Permit Installation of Marine SSB requires Ships License

Automatic Identification System (AIS)

AIS Digital Communication of Ships information Transmitted on VHF Radio Frequencies Channels 87 and 88B

AIS Classes Class A Marine AIS - Large commercial vessels, is the full specification. May See Class B also

AIS Classes Class B Marine AIS Lighter commercial and leisure vessels. Raymarine AIS 500 Class B Marine AIS Lighter commercial and leisure vessels. Must have assigned MMIS West Marine AIS 1000

AIS Classes Receive (Rx) Monitors the AIS network Both Class A and Class B Receives positional data reports for on-screen display. Dual Channel reads both frequencies at the same time. Single Channel, reads one channel then the other Slower to get all the data Costs less

Stand-Alone AIS Graphical heading-up situation display shows all targets and nav aids within the selected range. Dangerous or lost targets are indicated. Pop-up information box shows details for selected target.   Unique CPA plot shows whether target will pass ahead or astern. Helps you determine the best collision avoidance strategy.

Integrated AIS

AIS Type Information Name of Vessel Call Sign MMSI Draught Length Beam Position Lat & Lon Heading COG SOG CPA Bearing and Range TCPA Destination ETA Status Vessel Type

Installation of VHS

Installation of VHF Select a location you can use when driving the boat The Speaker has a magnet in it so be careful of interaction with compass Make sure the radio is waterproof if in cockpit An in-line fuse to the radio should be used. Tap off Breaker feeding Cockpit with heavy wire if long run

Installation of VHF Antenna should be as high as possible Max range is proportional to the Antenna’s Height. Your height plus the height of the other station NMEA 0183 from GPS (NEMA Out Connection) Provides position data to radio for DSC If two radios are used An antenna switch must be used Or two Antennas must be installed

Installation of VHF NMEA 0183 From GPS For position RG58/RG8/RG213 In-line fuse + - 12VDC

Another Option

Installation of VHF - Issues Hum in the radio can occur when charger is on Poor filtering on charger (Goes away with Charger off) Can add a large capacitor at point of connection to 12V power. Poor connection to antenna can result in Minimal received signal No transmitted signal Burning out radio output amplifier

Installation of VHF - Issues Speaker too close to Compass Compass will mot read properly Long power run to radio with to small of wire Poor radio operation as battery voltage decreases No static out of radio with squelch low Microphone is keyed Static out of radio Turn squelch control up to quiet radio

Installation of AIS

Installation of AIS Receiver Stand-Alone Units Have own display Provides relative position data of Class A&B AIS. Specific Requirements should be listed in Vendor Installation Vendors Include: Furuno AIS FA150 VESPER Marine AISWatchMate

Installation of AIS Receiver Integrated Receiver and GPS Display Components Antenna AIS Receiver Connection to Graphical Display or PC Many Vendors of single and dual Channel Receivers AIS units use a default baud rate of 38400 Can connect to NEMA in on Multifunction Display Can be wired to connect to a 9 pin RS232 Can then adapt to a USB Port

Installation of AIS Receiver

AIS Class B Installation

VHF Radio To Keep you Safe at Sea! West Marine AIS 1000