MComm Ch6 - 1 Chapter 6 Radiotelephone (voice) Operating Procedures >>

MComm Ch6 - 2 Basic Operations Calling Procedures Testing Procedures Golden Rule of Radio Summary Overview >>

MComm Ch6 - 3 Introduction Listening Requirement Mayday Communications Prohibited Communications Radio Vocabulary Basic Operations >>

MComm Ch6 - 4 Transmission vs. Communications Equipment Operations  Microphone  Squelch controls  Push-to-Talk  Other radio controls Station Identification VHF-FM Channels Introduction Topics >>

MComm Ch6 - 5 Transmission – one-way message  Call  Reply  Broadcast Communications  Exchange of transmissions  All necessary to complete flow of information between two parties of the call Transmission vs. Communications >>

MComm Ch6 - 6 Microphone  Use normal speech level  speaking loudly will cause distortion  VHF-FM range is a function of antenna height  Hold mike at a 45º angle to your mouth Squelch control setting (on idle channel)  Turn volume to mid-position  Turn squelch down (counter-clockwise)  should get hiss  Squelch up (clockwise) until the hiss just stops  If set higher, you may miss weak radio calls Equipment Operations >>

MComm Ch6 - 7 VHF-FM is Half-Duplex  Uses only one frequency  Only one can talk at a time  Say “over” when you want other the person to talk To listen (enable the receiver), do nothing  Normal mode for transceiver  Antenna is connected to the receiver To transmit you must press the mike button  Called the “Push-to-Talk” switch  Disables the receiver  Switches antenna to transmitter Receiver Transmitter PTT switch Transmitter RF Freq Receiver Push-to-Talk >>

MComm Ch6 - 8 Fixed Mount VHF Radios Courtesy of ICOM On/Off Volume Squelch One Button Distress (DSC Function) Weather Channel select Channel Selection Up/Down Channel 16/9 Button High/Low Power Switch Microphone with Transmit Button >>

MComm Ch6 - 9 Handheld VHF Radio Squelch Control On/Off Volume Channel Selection Up/Down Channel 16/9 Instant Select Scan Weather/Radio Power High/Low Key Transmit Button >>

MComm Ch Required by FCC Must be made in English Normally, this is the name of the vessel  Augmented by call sign if issued by FCC At beginning & end of each communication  Not required for each transmission Station Identification >>

MComm Ch VHF-FM Channels - 1 VHF Channels Purpose 06 Ship to Ship Safety 09 Alternate Calling Channel 13 Navigation Safety – ship to ship, locks, bridges 16 Calling, Emergency, Distress 22A Use only when directed by Coast Guard 68, 69, 71, 72*, 78 Working Channels for Recreational Boats WX1, WX2, … WX9 Weather (receive only) * 72 is for intership use only (not for ship to shore) >>

MComm Ch VHF-FM Channels - 2 Port Operations 12 (in some areas) and 66 73, 74 and 75 Safety 06 Bridge-to-Bridge 13 (most areas) 67 (on lower Mississippi) >>

MComm Ch Listening Requirements - 1 Voluntary (recreational) vessels  Monitor VHF-FM channel 16  Unless talking on another channel  Scanning radios monitor several channels  Recommend monitoring 09 (alternate calling channel) 13 bridge-to-bridge (navigation info between vessels) 16 distress and hailing >>

MComm Ch Compulsory equipped vessels  Monitor VHF-FM channel 16  Unless talking on another channel  AND monitor either channel 13 or 67  Depends on where vessel is operating  With squelch and volume controls properly set Listening Requirements - 2 >>

MComm Ch Highest precedence  Takes precedence over all other calls  Do not use channel 16 during a Mayday  Channel 09 is the alternate calling frequency Silence Mayday (See-lonce Mayday)  Warning by USCG that channel 16 has an active Mayday in progress (Don’t use 16)  USCG may switch Mayday to their channel 22A Silence Fini (See-lounce fee-nee)  Cancels Silence Mayday (for channel 16) Mayday Communications >>

MComm Ch Distress (Mayday) Urgency (Pan-Pan) “Pahn-pahn” Safety (Security) “Say-cure-it-tay” Navigation, movements, and needs of ship Government All Other (non-emergency)  Most communications from recreational craft Priority of Communications >>

MComm Ch False distress signals Social / personal communications  VHF-FM is ONLY for needs of vessel  Use you cell phone or FRS for personal calls General calls (not addressed to specific station)  Except for Distress, Urgency and Safety calls  Test calls are also an exception Profane, obscene or indecent language  Don’t use vocabulary heard on radio / TV Prohibited Communications >>

MComm Ch Brevity Procedure Words Phonetic Alphabet Radio Vocabulary - Topics >>

MComm Ch Think before you talk Keep it short and to the point Procedure words from USCG / airlines  Have specific meaning  Won’t be misunderstood Use phonetics to spell out difficult words  Use International Phonetic Spelling Alphabet  Don’t make up your own Don’t use the 10-code Brevity >>

MComm Ch THIS ISName of vessel to follow OVERDone talking, your turn to talk OUTConversation over (Goodbye) AFFIRMATIVEYes NEGATIVENo End each transmission with EITHER “OVER” or “OUT” (not both) Procedure Words - 1 >>

MComm Ch ROGERMessage received WILCOMessage received, I will comply WAITI will be back in a few seconds SAY AGAINNot understood, please repeat I SPELLPhonetic spelling to follow Procedure Words - 2 >>

MComm Ch Phonetic Alphabet >>

MComm Ch After passing through a raised draw bridge you are normally asked the name and hailing port of your vessel.  Bridges in most states monitor channel 13  In South Carolina bridges monitor channel 09 (Bridge tender on 09 ) “Captain what is the name and hailing port of your vessel? Over.” (Wind Elephant on 09) “Wind Elephant, Summerville, South Carolina. Over” Phonetic Example - 1 >>

MComm Ch Phonetic Example - 2 (Bridge tender on 09) “Say again name of vessel. Over” (Wind Elephant on 09) “Vessel’s name is Wind Elephant, I spell: Whiskey, India, November, Delta; Wind; Echo, Lima, Echo, Papa, Hotel, Alpha, November, Tango; Elephant. How copy? Over” (Bridge tender on 09) “Thank you Wind Elephant. Out” >> Wind Elephant

MComm Ch Numbers are spoken as a series of digits  One six (not sixteen) VHF-FM channels are given as 2 digits  Zero nine (not as nine) To avoid confusion, numbers may be preceded by procedure word “Numbers”  Address is “Numbers one, zero, nine” Use phonetic pronunciation of numbers Phonetic Numbers (wun, zerro, niner) >>

MComm Ch Routine (non-emergency) Emergency (distress, urgency and safety) Calling Procedures >>

MComm Ch First - check working channels to determine which one is not in use Then - hail the other vessel on a calling channel, giving both their call sign and your call sign (Dolphin on 16) “Bobcat, Bobcat, this is Dolphin, on channel one six. Over.” Name of called vessel can be repeated up to 3 times; name of calling vessel is given only once Channels are given as a 2-digit number  As one six (not as sixteen) Routine Calling - 1 >>

MComm Ch Each call must be limited to 30 seconds For calls to the same vessel:  Wait two minutes between unsuccessful calls  After three attempts, wait 15 minutes  May make after 3 minutes if channel is NOT in use While waiting, may call other vessels Timing of Calls >>

MComm Ch In answering, acknowledge the hail and request a working frequency (Bobcat on 16) “Dolphin, this is Bobcat, request a working channel. Over” (Dolphin on 16) “Bobcat, switch and answer seven two. Over” (Bobcat on 16) “Switching seven two” (Dolphin on 72) “Bobcat, this is Dolphin. Over” (Bobcat on 72) “This is Bobcat. Over” Routine Calling - 2 >>

MComm Ch Once communications are established, call signs need not be repeated for each transmission (Dolphin on 72) Dolphin then transmits message (Bobcat on 72) Bobcat responds when asked to talk (indicated by hearing “over”) Routine Calling - 3 >>

MComm Ch Normally the call is terminated by the calling vessel. The radios are then switched back to the calling channel. (Dolphin on 72) “Good Day. Dolphin is switching back to channel one six. Out.” (Bobcat on 72) “Bobcat is switching back to channel one six. Out.” Routine Calling - 4 >>

MComm Ch Distress (Mayday) Urgency (Pan-Pan) Safety (Security) Emergency Calling Procedures >>

MComm Ch Distress (Mayday) Calling For Life Threatening situations If there is time, set into DSC radio the nature of the distress  Default is Unassigned (highest level of distress) Press the “DISTRESS” button for 5 seconds  DSC radio transmits the distress call on channel 70, to include your MMSI, digital position information (from connected GPS) and the time of fix  DSC distress call is automatically repeated until acknowledged >>

MComm Ch Quick Approach Quick Approach (no time to enter type of distress) RedPress and hold Red button for 5 seconds Making a DSC Distress Call Courtesy of ICOM DISTRESS >>

MComm Ch MMSI ID – Key to search and rescue information DSC Distress Information >>

MComm Ch Make sure the radio is on Select channel 16 Press and hold the transmit button (Bad Luck on 16) “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is Bad Luck, Bad Luck, Bad Luck. Mayday, Bad Luck. Location is Charleston Harbor Entrance channel at red buoy one zero. I am sinking. Three people on board. Mayday, Mayday this is Bad Luck. Over.” Release transmit button Wait 10 sec, if no acknowledgment, repeat Voice Distress (Mayday) Call >>

MComm Ch Mayday Technique Speak slowly in a normal voice  Don’t shout  It results in distorted communications Know what information to transmit  Position  Nature of distress  Number of persons on board On channel 16 Press and hold PTT switch When done, release PTT switch >>

MComm Ch Distress signal “MAYDAY”, spoken three times The words “THIS IS”, spoken once Name of vessel in distress, spoken three times Repeat “MAYDAY” & name of vessel, spoken once Give position of vessel and distance to a well known landmark, plus course and speed if underway Nature of distress (sinking, fire, etc.) Kind of assistance desired Number of persons onboard Other information which might facilitate rescue MAYDAY, this is (vessel name), Over Mayday Template >>

MComm Ch Wait several minutes for USCG to acknowledge If USCG acknowledgment is not heard:  (Good Samaritan on 16) “Bad Luck, Bad Luck, Bad Luck, this is Good Samaritan, Good Samaritan, Good Samaritan. Received your Mayday. Over.” Make every effort to contact Coast Guard Log details of Mayday call in your ship’s log Acknowledging Mayday - 1 >>

MComm Ch You are responsible for the Mayday until relieved by competent authority  Normally the Coast Guard Alter course to render assistance to the vessel in distress and advise them of your intentions  Continue to attempt to contact Coast Guard (Good Samaritan on 16) “Bad Luck this is Good Samaritan. I am two miles from your position. Expect to arrive at your location in five minutes. The three of you can transfer to my vessel. Strongly recommend all put on their life jackets. Over ” Acknowledging Mayday - 2 >>

MComm Ch Urgency (Pan-Pan) Calling Non Life Threatening situations  Pronounced “Pahn-Pahn ” (Bad Luck on 16) “Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, All Stations this is Bad Luck, Bad Luck, Bad Luck. Pan-Pan Bad Luck. Location is Charleston Harbor South Jetty Entrance near buoy red zero two. Unable to start engine. Request tow or battery jump to start engine. Vessel is anchored with three persons on board. Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan this is Bad Luck. Over.” >>

MComm Ch Range is 0.5 nm Safety (Security) Calling For weather alerts, navigational hazards and operational signals  Pronounced “Saycure-it-tay” Operational signal that vessel will shortly be getting underway from Wando terminal (Container ship Sea Transit on 13) “Security, Security, Sea Transit is preparing to depart Wando Terminal and is standing by on channels one three and one six for any concerned traffic. Out.” >>

MComm Ch Response to Security Call – 1 (Wind Elephant on 13) “Container ship preparing to depart Wando Terminal, this is the sailing vessel approximately one-half miles down stream approaching Wando Terminal on channel one three. Over” Call signs are not required on channel 13, providing vessels are clearly identified (Sea Transit on 13) “This is Sea Transit at Wando terminal. Over.” (Wind Elephant on 13) “Note that all your mooring lines are still attached. Do I have time to safely pass your vessel before you get underway? Over.” >>

MComm Ch (Sea Transit on 13) “Wait” Bridge on Sea Transit looks for Wind Elephant and assesses the situation (Sea Transit on 13) “You have time to make a safe pass before we get underway. Request you hold or increase your speed and move to green side of channel. Over.” (Wind Elephant on 13) “I will keep clear, increase speed and move to green side of channel. Thanks. Will continue to monitor channels one three and one six. Out” Response to Security Call - 2 >>

MComm Ch Scenarios Call to transit marina for fuel and slip Request permission to pass (overtake) Boat to drawbridge to request opening To unknown boat for navigation coordination Needing navigation information Boat to Law Enforcement (non-emergency) Boat out of gas HELP! (medical emergency) Radio test Boat after unexpected high speed pass In-Class Practice >>

MComm Ch Test Transmission  Receiving  Transmitting Test Calls  Option “A” on working channel  Option “B”, hailed on channel 16, then switched to working channel Testing Procedures >>

MComm Ch Receiving  Listen to any channel that is in use  If reception is normal, receiver is OK Transmitting (requires a handheld radio)  Locate a working channel not in use  Tune both radios to this channel  Make a short test call  If hear test call on 2 nd radio, transmitter is OK Test Transmission >>

MComm Ch (Palmetto Elephant on 68) “Palmetto Elephant testing: one, two, three, three, two, one. Test out.” Procedure – Test Transmission >>

MComm Ch Involves two-way communications with  Another vessel  Coast station Prohibited  On channel 16  To “any station” (must be to a specific station) Made on a working frequency  With another station at end of their communications  With a marina, towing company, etc. Test Calls >>

MComm Ch Locate a working frequency that is in use and monitor their conversation. When the conversation is over, call either station and request a radio test. (Palmetto Elephant on 68) “Sunday Drive, this is Palmetto Elephant on six eight. Request Radio Test. Over.” Hopefully they will reply. (Sunday Drive on 68) “Palmetto Elephant, this is Sunday Drive, you are loud and clear in Charleston Harbor. Out.” Procedure – Test Call “A” >>

MComm Ch Top 3 signal strength reports  LOUD  GOOD  WEAK Top 3 voice readability reports  CLEAR  READABLE  DISTORTED Strength and Readability >>

MComm Ch (Palmetto Elephant on 16) “Rivers Edge Marina this is Palmetto Elephant on one six. Over.” (Rivers Edge on 16) “Palmetto Elephant this is Rivers Edge Marina, switch and answer six eight. Over.” (Palmetto Elephant on 16) “Switching six eight.” Procedure – Test Call “B” - 1 >>

MComm Ch (Rivers Edge on 68) “Palmetto Elephant this is Rivers Edge Marina, how can I help you? Over.” (Palmetto Elephant on 68) “Request Radio Test. How copy? Over.” (Rivers Edge on 68) “You are loud and clear. Rivers Edge Marina, out.” Procedure – Test Call “B” - 2 >>

MComm Ch Radio is under control of Master (Captain) Mark of the professional radio operator  Terse  Concise  Meaningful Knows how and when to use channel 13 Professional Radio Operator >>

MComm Ch Operate your station as you would have others do Remember  It is our radio service  Our lives may depend upon it Golden Rule of Radio >>

MComm Ch Speak into the mike in a normal voice Properly adjust the squelch control Radio must be on while underway  on channel 16, unless transmitting Know procedure words and phonetics Routine calls  hail on 16  take the conversation to a working channel Summary >>

MComm Ch Mayday if life threatening  First via DSC (automatic on channel 70)  Then voice on channel 16  Position  Nature of distress (sinking, fire, etc.)  Number of persons aboard Normally answered by USCG Render assistance if nearby Summary - Mayday >>

MComm Ch Urgency (Pan-Pan)  Not life threatening  Aground, can’t start, etc.  Info  position  nature of problem  number of personnel on board Safety (Security)  Weather alerts  Navigational hazards  Operational signals (navigation coordination) Summary – Urgency and Safety >>

MComm Ch Self-test with handheld  Not on 16  On idle channel With a specific station Call on working channel  At end of their communications With station known to be on air  Hail on 16  Test on working frequency Summary - Testing >>