1. Restricted Certificate of Competency
Marine VHF Radio
Course to prepare for
Restricted Certificate of Competency
Supplied courtesy of
Ger Keeling

2. Course Objectives
To give a brief introduction to the basic principles of radio.
To relate these to Marine VHF Radio use
To acquaint participants with procedural and general radio conversation
To give an understanding of the use of radio for safety of life at sea
To prepare participants for the Department of Communications examination for the award of a Restricted Certificate of Competence (VHF only)

3. Marine Radio
Radio offered the only option for communication with at sea
Ensuring the safety of seafarers was to be the primary concern
Early signal transmissions were by Morse Code and later by modulated voice transmissions
The first known “CDQ” signal was sent by the SS “Titanic”
The CDQ was replaced by the more familiar SOS

4. Modern Marine Radio
There are a number of radio bands allocated specifically for marine use. The main ones are
kHz Morse Telegraphy
kHz MF Marine Radio Telephony
mHz HF Marine Radio Telephony
mHz VHF Marine Radio Telephony

5. Marine VHF Radio VHF facilitates reasonable antenna sizes
Easy to use
Good clear reception
Reasonable range of coverage for small vessels
Most vessels over 10 metres are fitted with VHF sets
Low power requirements make battery operation possible
VHF facilitates reasonable antenna sizes
Portable and handheld sets are readily available
The Relatively low cost of appliances has lead to their great popularity

6. Control of Marine VHF Radio
In the Republic of Ireland the use of Marine VHF is controlled by the Minister for Communications
The laws are applicable within the state and on Irish registered vessels
The owner is responsible for ensuring that the set is licensed and that the conditions of license are observed. See Appendix 1
Condition 7 requires that the radio installation may only be operated by persons holding valid Certificates of Competence

7. Formality of Procedures
English is the international language of marine communication
Marine VHF radio is used by many people who do not naturally speak English
Radio conversations are not as interactive as normal person to person speech
Conversation must be as short as possible
As many conversations are safety related, there is a need to have un-ambiguous and precise dialogue

8. Station Identity
It is compulsory to identify yourself on every transmission
When a Radio Installation is licensed, a registered Call Sign is issued
This will be some combination of letters and numbers, which is internationally registered.
Irish Call Signs are generally in the form
EI XXXX
It is acceptable to use the vessel’s name or a combination of both the name and call sign.

9. General format of message
Name of station being called and call sign (if applicable)
Repeat up to three times
This is
Name of calling station and call sign (if applicable)
Repeat up to three times
Message to be sent
Over

10. “Pro” words and other common phrases
I copy or Copied
Seelonce
Prudonce
This is
Stand By
Stand By one
Over
Mayday
Out
My position is
Pan Pan
Station Calling -- ?
Traffic
Securite
Say again
Word before --
Word after -- TR
Mayday Relay
UTC
Unreadable
Signal Strength
All before ---
All after --
All Stations
ETA
I say again --
ETD
Received
SAR
Nothing Heard

11. The Phonetic Alphabet A Alpha B Bravo C Charlie D Delta E Echo
F Foxtrot
G Golf
H Hotel
I India
J Juliet
K Kilo
L Lima
M Mike
N November
O Oscar
P Papa
Q Quebec
R Romeo
S Sierra
T Tango
U Uniform
V Victor
W Whiskey
X X-Ray
Y Yankee
Z Zulu

12. Phonetic Numerals 1 Won 2 Too 3 Tree 4 Fow-er 5 Fife 6 Six 7 Sev-en
8 Ate
9 Niner
0 Zero
The number would be stated as follows
TOO NINER FOWER DECIMAL ATE

13. Stating Time and Position
“My Position is FIFE TREE ZERO NINER DECIMAL ATE North
ZERO SIX ZERO FIFE DECIMAL TREE West” or
“My Position is TOO miles
bearing TOO NINER FIFE from
Moulditch Buoy”
Time “TOO WON ZERO NINER UTC”
21:30 or
09:30 p.m. GMT
22:30 or
10:30 p.m. BST

14. Precautions before transmitting
Who is the call intended for
Is the selected channel correct for the message to be sent and what working channel is appropriate
Be sure that the channel is not being used and that there is no higher priority incident in progress
Are you authorised to make the call
Have you composed the message in your mind

15. Channel Allocation Channel 16
Emergency Channel
Initial Calling Channel
Once contact is made stations must switch to a suitable working channel
Priority must be given to more important traffic
Inter Ship Channels
Port Operations
Small Boat Safety 67
Coastal Radio Station
83 Dublin 87 Wicklow
23 Rosslare

16. Channel Allocation Marina / Race Control 80 (37 M M2)
Digital Selective Calling
70 Do not use for voice
CH 16 Guard band
May not be used
US Channels
Used for weather CoastGuard contact etc.
7A 18A 19A 21A 22A
These use one half of an international Duplex channel (explained later)

17. Good Radio Manners Always listen before transmitting
Keep conversations short as possible
Make sure that your message is clear
Use “Pro” words and sound professional and competent
Obey instructions from coast stations (or more competent operators)
Speak calmly and clearly
Do not use bad language, CB talk, TV cop habits or people’s personal names

18. What is Radio
Radio is a type of natural radiated energy, known as Electro-magnetic Radiation (EMR)
Since it’s discovery, we have learned to transmit and receive it and harness it for many uses.
Radio EMR
Other EMR
Radio Broadcasts
TV Broadcasts
Communications
RADAR
Microwave Ovens
Visibe Light
Infra Red Light
Ultra Violet Light
X-Rays
Lasers
- are all forms of Electro-Magnetic Radiation

19. EMR’s Wave-like Behaviour
Wave Length
The distance between two adjacent peaks [ Metres ]
Frequency
The number of peaks which pass a point in a second [ Hertz ]

20. Wavelength
Nowadays we tend to describe radio waves in terms of frequency rather than wavelength
Wavelength is more commonly used to describe the higher frequency waves.. e.g. microwaves or lasers and visible light
The wavelength of radio is however relevant to the size of the antenna or aerial
Longer wave lengths require huge antennae whereas higher frequencies (shorter wave lengths) require more sophisticated electronics

21. Frequency vs. Wavelength
Long Wavelength -- Low frequency KHz Kilometers
Short wavelength -- High Frequency GHZ -- 1centimeter

22. Frequency 1 Hertz Hz 1 Cycle per second
1 Kilo Hertz KHz 1,000 Cycles per second
1 Mega Hertz MHz 1,000,000 Cycles per second
1 Giga Hertz GHz 1,000,000,000 Cycles per second
1 Tera Hertz THz 1,000,000,000,000 Cycles per second

23. Signal Propagation Frequencies below approx 3Mhz follow along the
earth’s curved surface and are therefore described
as “Ground Waves” ( e.g. Long and Medium Wave
radio broadcasts)

24. Short Wave Propogation
The earth’s atmosphere is surrounded by layers of
charged gas particles, referred to as the “Ionosphere”
Frequencies between approx 3Mhz and 30Mhz tend to
reflect off the Ionosphere. These are described as
“Sky Waves” (also Short Wave or HF)

25. VHF/UHF/SHF Propogation
Frequencies above approx 50 MHz are limited to
“Line of Sight” and are therefore useful for local,
aviation and celestial uses.

26. Ground Wave Uses Communications Long Range Marine Medium Frequency
Marine Morse
Telegraphy
Medium Wave
Radio
Long Wave
Radio
30 KHz
300 KHz
1 MHz
2 MHz
3 MHz
10 KM
1 KM
100 M

27. Basic RadioTransmitter
157.0 MHz

28. Basic Radio Receiver Receiver only listens to signals on it’s tuned
frequency.
Receiver
157.0 MHz

29. Transmitting a Signal
Transmitter
Receiver
157.0 MHz
157.0 MHz

30. Transmitting “Sound” Waves
Modulation
Transmitted
Radio
Signal
Radio Wave
Radio Wave
The sound wave is
“modulated” on to the
“Carrier” frequency
Transmitter
157.0 MHz

31. Receiving “Sound” Waves
Radio Wave
Receiver
Receiver only listens
to signals on it’s tuned
frequency
157.0 MHz
De-modulation
Sound Wave
Sound

32. The Radio Tranceiver Receiving Common Antenna Speaker Receiver The
156.0 MHz
The
“Push to
Talk” (PTT)
Button
Normally On
Radio Wave
Normally Off
Transmitter
Microphone

33. The Radio Tranceiver Transmitting Common Antenna Speaker Receiver The
156.0 MHz
The
“Push to
Talk” (PTT)
Button
Off when pressed
Radio Wave
On when pressed
Transmitter
Transmitting
Microphone

34. On/Off/
Volume
Squelch
Control
Receiver
156.0 MHz
Normally On
Channel
Selector
Radio Wave
Normally Off
Transmitter
High / Low
Power

35. Receiving On/Off Volume Squelch Receiver Noise Message 156.0 MHz
Normally On
Silence
Radio Wave
Normally Off
Transmitter
Receiving

36. Channel Select 161.775 MHz Receiver 156.8 MHz off PTT Button
Radio Wave on
MHz
Transmitter
156.8 MHz

37. Calling another Station
Name of station being called and call sign (if applicable)
Repeat up to three times
Ross Turk,
This is
Name of calling station and call sign (if applicable)
Repeat up to three times
Misha, Misha
Message to be sent
Channel Six
Over
Typical Example only !!
If no response, wait for approx three minutes and try again.

38. Response to a Call Mise, This is Ross Turk, Going to Channel Six Over
Name of station being responding to call sign (if applicable)
Mise,
This is
Name of responding station and call sign (if applicable)
Ross Turk,
Message to be sent
Going to Channel Six
Over
Typical Example only !!
On working channel, the calling station generally speaks first

39. The Distress Call Mayday, Mayday, Mayday Name of station in Distress
This is
Yacht Mise,
Yacht Mise,
Yacht Mise,
Mayday,
Position of Vessel in Distress
My position is
Fife Tree Zero Ate North,
Zero, Six, Zero Won West
Nature of Distress
Vessel holed and sinking
Two persons on board.
Other Information
Will fire flares, no further radio contact possible
Mayday
Typical Example only !!
Send message on Ch 16 or any channel where a response is likely

40. Control of a Distress
When a Mayday is in progress only related radio traffic is allowed
The ship in distress may impose control on the distress channel
Normally a coastal radio station (MRCC or an MRSC) will assume control
The ship in distress may impose silence -- SEELONCE MAYDAY
A controlling station, which itself is not the vessel in distress can impose silence -- SEELONCE DISTRESS
Radio silence is lifted with the words -- SEELONCE FEENEE
If prudent use of the channel is required the word PRUDONCE is used

41. Acknowledging a Distress Call
Mayday, once only !! Yacht Mise
Name of responding station
This is
Dublin Radio,
Received,
Mayday
Typical Example only !!
Any station hearing a MAYDAY must acknowledge,
Wait for a brief moment to ensure that you are not over-transmitting
a Coastal Radio Station or a vessel nearer the scene
If you are in a position to render assistance you must do so
If the MAYDAY has been acknowledged, call the controlling station
and advise them of your ETA and what assistance you can give
If you can not respond, stay quiet, and listen
Send a MAYDAY RELAY, See 13 a,b,c.

42. Mayday Relay, Mayday Relay, Mayday Relay
Name of station Relaying Mayday
This is
Yacht Mise,
Mayday Relay,
Relay the original message making it clear that you yourself
are not in distress
Mayday Yacht Pogtone, Yacht Pogtone, Yacht Pogtone,
position is (Position of Distressed vessel, not yours !!)
Fife Tree Zero Ate North,
Zero, Six, Zero Won West
DistressMessage (do not add to it, just relay as it was received)
Vessel holed and sinking
Two persons on board.
Will fire flares, no further radio contact possible
This is Yacht Mise,
Mayday Relay
Repeat your name / call sign
again at the end if the
message is excessively long
Typical Example only !!

43. Simplex Radio Wave Transmitter Receiver 156.0 MHz Off when pressed
Ch 0
Ch 0
Radio Wave
Transmitter
Receiver
156.0 MHz
Off when pressed
On when pressed
Radio Wave
Transmitter
Receiver
156.0 MHz
Off when pressed
On when pressed

44. Duplex Transmission Receiver 161.775 MHz Transmitter 161.775 MHz
Ch 83
Ch 83
Receiver
MHz
Transmitter
MHz
MHz
Receiver
MHz
Transmitter
Ship Station
Shore Station

45. Typical Coast Station Receiver Transmitter Receiver Transmitter
Ch 16
Ch 16
Receiver
Transmitter
Ch 67
Ch 67
Receiver
Transmitter
Ch 83
Ch 83
Dublin Radio

46. 999 Calls Malin MRSC Dublin MRCC Valentia MRSC Irish Marine
Malin Head
Radio
999 Calls
Malin
MRSC
Glen Head
Radio
Irish Marine
Emergency Services
Lifeboats
Inshore
All Weather
IMES Coastal Rescue
Units
IMES SIKORSKI S61N
Helicopter
Air Corps Helicopters
Belmullet
Radio
Dublin
MRCC
Dublin Radio
Clifden
Radio
Wicklow Head
Radio
Shannon
Radio
Valentia
MRSC
Rosslare Radio
Valentia
Radio
Mine Head
Radio
Cork
Radio
Bantry
Radio

47. Other Relevant Developments
VHF channels can also be used to transmit coded signals which can “activate” the called station.
This is used to call emergency services on CH 67
Channel 70 is reserved for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and may not be used for voice transmission
DSC will required on all sets after 1999 to facilitate the new GMDSS service

48. Developments ...
GMDSS will include sattelite based distress communications via INMARSAT for ships in oceanic regions.
VHF DSC is required under GMDSS after 1999
Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBS) are capable of automatically transmitting a combined distress and position signal.
Additional VHF direction finding equipment is currently being installed.

49. Revision Licence Conditions
1) Relevance of International Radio Regulations
2) Relevance of Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act 1952
3) Use limited to Maritime Mobile Service
Ships
Port Stations
Coastal Radio Stations
4) Hygenic conditions
5) Screening Lights and Safety of Operators
6) Messages on behalf of Government

50. Revision ... License Conditions Continued
7) Operators Certificate of Competence
8) Confidentiality of Traffic
9) Obligation to Log all messages
See General Regulations
10) Payment for Coastal Radio Services
11) Notification of Alterations to Equipment
12) Right of Inspection
13) Documents to be carried
Licence
ITC Radio (and Telegraphy) Regulations

51. Revision …. License Conditions Continued ...
14) Payment of Licence Fees
15) Power to revoke licence
16) Ongoing relevance of ITC, ammandments etc.
17) Cover of Emergency Radios
No Certificate of Competence necessary

52. Revision …. General Regulations …
a) Set must be licensed and Operators must have Certificate of Competency
b) Obey instructions from Coast Stations
c) Stations must identify themselves
Call Sign (Formally)
Ships Name (Optionally)
d) Listen before transmitting

53. Revision …. General Regulations …
e) Channel International Distress Frequency.
May only be used for -
Distress Signal
Distress Call
Distress Traffic
Urgency Signal
Urgency Call
Urgency Traffic
Safety Call Only (Not Safety Traffic)
Establishing a communication with another station

54. Revision ... General Regulations ..
f) All transmission on Ch 16 to be kept to minimum
g) Listening watch on Ch 16
Ships fitted with VHF Only (Non Compulsory) should maintain maximum watch on Ch 16
Irish Ships fitted with VHF (Compulsory) must maintain watch on Ch 16, except in certain conditions, which must be logged.
Obligation to log all communications relating to Safety, Urgency and Distress Traffic

55. Revision... General Regulations .. h) Ship’s VHF must be fitted with
Channel 16 (Distress Channel)
Channel 6 (Primary Intership Channel)
All other channels necessary for Service
Stations must use channels for the allocated purpose as far as possible
Radio Telephony is forbidden on Ch 70