Thank you Captain Shawn for this video! As a recreational boater hailing out of Stamford CT, I am astounded by how many people, both novices and seasoned boaters do not turn on and/or monitor their radios when going out. Instead, they turn on and 'amp up' their stereo paying no or little attention to their VHF radio. When going out on my 31' Ranger Tug, I never leave the dock without turning on and listening to Channel 16 before casting off any dock lines.
Just a note to Great Lakes boaters- if you're in Canadian waters, you are required by law to be a licensed VHF operator (ROC-M, or equivalent) to broadcast on marine frequencies. The ROC-M certification is quite simple, full of valuable knowledge, and well worth your time.
My wife and I are self taught VHF radio operators and traveling on a 35' sailboat. We began our journey three years ago in the Great Lakes with no sailing or radio experence and are currently near Stuart Florida. We are very diligent about learning how to use our radio correctly and I agree with your outline. I sure wish that other boaters had this basic knowledge as our encounters have certainty been a mixed bag of operating practices. Thanks for taking the time to help educate.
@@Coyotehello Most likely the entire plant. You are correct that once it is a land based system, FCC licensing is required. Marine systems operation on land is illegal in the US.
Hi Shawn, Thanks for these videos. I’m a long time boater returning to the water after a hiatus and these are great refresher courses. Could you please confirm one question for me: since large commercial vessels are required to monitor channel 13 as well as channel 16, should I hail the vessel on 13 and avoid using 16 altogether? Also, it’s important to check channels 68-72 before going on channel 16 to make sure the channel you want to switch to is open. Another question: what do you do if all those channels are taken?
Thank you so much for the questions and thank you for commenting. 1. You can certainly call a larger commercial vessel on Ch13 (low power) if it’s in regards to safe navigation. Ch13 is also recorded in cases of collisions or if the CG has to investigate. 2. You can check the channel you want someone to switch and answer but there’s no guarantee it will remain clear. Often you hear people say “switch and answer channel **, if you don’t get me - come back to channel 16. I hope this help and I hope you enjoy your time on the water!!!
Shawn very helpful 1 question channel 22 Alpha is that just channel 22 on the radio or is it a different station. I dont remember seeing alpha like stations listed when scrolling thru the channels. I appreciate the time you put into these videos
George, excellent question! Your radio should display 22A on your radio. Here's a link that may do a better job explaining this than I can do: www.navcen.uscg.gov/us-vhf-channel-information International and US use different standards. We have two systems at work on our marine radios - Simplex and Duplex. The letter "A" following a VHF FM radio channel number typically designates a simplex frequency. Simplex frequencies are those on which only one party can transmit at a time, while the other party listens. Of course, we have no control over any of this, it happens automatically when we key the mic. In contrast - duplex frequencies, which allow both parties to transmit and receive simultaneously. The use of simplex frequencies helps to avoid interference and ensure clear communication between parties. Thank you so much for you question and your comment - I hope to see you out there.
Great video, I think I get what you are doing, not going too deep into radio, or other protocols. Like rules of the road COLREG etc. I did it to you before and I cannot help myself: Please, Talk about Calling on 16 Calling Pan-Pan Calling Mayday-Mayday. That could emphasize why boaters should stay off 16!!! Also this is USA rule of the road only the rest of the world is different. Cheers, a
Hey Alain, I truly appreciate you responding and commenting on these videos! My targeted audience has always been beginning boater who don't know a thing about boating. My primary goal is to make it as safe as possible while they enjoy the boating world. Another issue is, nobody has an attention span anymore. If you get too far into the details, people click off. I'm thinking of doing some online courses where I can really get into the weed on a particular subject and maybe invite a couple of my friends who know a lot more about the subject to speak. I just need a few more hours in the week:)
Thank you so much for your comment and for subscribing! If you are a recreational boater traveling within the United States, you do not need a license for a VHF Marine Radio. If you communicate with foreign coast or ship stations, you must have a RESTRICTED RADIOTELEPHONE OPERATOR PERMIT (sometimes referred to by boaters as an "individual license") in addition to your ship radio station license. I believe these applications are included when you purchase a new radio as well as registering your new radio for DSC. Regardless, you must file an application with the FCC but there is not test requirement. I am not sure what the requirements might be in Europe.
Great info! I do have one question that I seem to find conflicting information online about - what is the correct way to read GPS coordinates over the radio when communicating with the CG? I’ve heard all different variations from boaters and it even seems there are slight differences from the CG at times while listening on Erie. Any help on this is greatly appreciated!
Drake, thank you so much for your comment! I'm not sure I understand your question exactly but I'll give you this and if I missed the mark, please let me know. I checked my "Watch Officer's Guide" book by James Stavridis, USN retired, and couldn't find anything I could reference for you so I'm going to spitball it a little. Before GPS we would transmit our coordinates in Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds. Then charts started coming out in Degrees, Minutes, and Tenths. Sometimes we would send our position in Loran C lines. Having said all this, I would fall back on basic training where we would transmit entire messages via the radio. It is almost its own language using the phonetic alphabet and reading figures clearly and concisely. I'm not sure I've answered your question but let me know!
My focus was on radio Frequencies and getting beginner boater to start talking on the radio. No reason in particular, I’m pretty sure I went into detail on Urgent Marine Broadcasts in my Mayday video.
I find it interesting is correctly using VHF marine radio initial call transmissions procedures; which are rarely studied. When obtaining your restricted radio operators permit does not require any such course. What I hear all too often is repeating station calling and working 3 times for normal transmissions. From what I understand you should use 2X's transmission for initial call of a potentially UNMONITORED stations. Better just once if no response call again. Then just talk normal. Can you tell me where are these addressed in CG regulations?? I thought only emergency distress, urgency and safety transmissions require a repetitive calling. This operating procedure has seemed to fester into a standard call procedure for normal calls throughout the amateur marine VHF community. Routine calling procedures require name and or other identifying information of the station being called, spoken once only. The three times should ONLY be used for distress, whether for Sucurite, Pan or MayDay.
Bo Jangles thank you so much for your comment. It sounds like you have a lot of experience and have spent some time listening to a radio. I'm not if or where the Coast Guard regulations are regarding your question. I do know that things get out of hand from time to time and either the FCC (here in the United States) or the Coast Guard will reel them in. At present time, one of the things that drive me crazy is commercial salvage boats and small ferries doing a security call every time they leave the dock, enter or exit a harbor or body of water. Clearly they are using these radio procedure to advertise their business as opposite giving up a heads up.
Thank you Captain Shawn for this video! As a recreational boater hailing out of Stamford CT, I am astounded by how many people, both novices and seasoned boaters do not turn on and/or monitor their radios when going out. Instead, they turn on and 'amp up' their stereo paying no or little attention to their VHF radio. When going out on my 31' Ranger Tug, I never leave the dock without turning on and listening to Channel 16 before casting off any dock lines.
Just a note to Great Lakes boaters- if you're in Canadian waters, you are required by law to be a licensed VHF operator (ROC-M, or equivalent) to broadcast on marine frequencies.
The ROC-M certification is quite simple, full of valuable knowledge, and well worth your time.
Thank you so much for sharing!!!
So simply explained! Thank you!
This is really good and important information! And very well explained and easy to understand, thanks Shawn!
Thank you so much for commenting!!!
Keep them coming Captain! 👌🏻
Most marinas/harbors where I boat are raised up on channel 9 for transient docking ,etc
Awesome info
Thank you so much for commenting!!!
Great info, thanks again.
Thank you Troy, I appreciate you!
Thank you!
My wife and I are self taught VHF radio operators and traveling on a 35' sailboat. We began our journey three years ago in the Great Lakes with no sailing or radio experence and are currently near Stuart Florida. We are very diligent about learning how to use our radio correctly and I agree with your outline. I sure wish that other boaters had this basic knowledge as our encounters have certainty been a mixed bag of operating practices. Thanks for taking the time to help educate.
Thank you so much for your comment, I truly appreciate you!
Hi, there is no such thing as 'self thought' you either have a vhf operator license or you don't...
Do you?
Want to share your Lic#?
@@Coyotehello I don't as a VHF license as it is not required for recreational boaters in US waters.
@@montanadan2524
THAT is amazing.
I did not know that!
Is that the case in all the the USA?
@@Coyotehello Most likely the entire plant. You are correct that once it is a land based system, FCC licensing is required. Marine systems operation on land is illegal in the US.
Hi Shawn, Thanks for these videos. I’m a long time boater returning to the water after a hiatus and these are great refresher courses. Could you please confirm one question for me: since large commercial vessels are required to monitor channel 13 as well as channel 16, should I hail the vessel on 13 and avoid using 16 altogether? Also, it’s important to check channels 68-72 before going on channel 16 to make sure the channel you want to switch to is open. Another question: what do you do if all those channels are taken?
Thank you so much for the questions and thank you for commenting.
1. You can certainly call a larger commercial vessel on Ch13 (low power) if it’s in regards to safe navigation. Ch13 is also recorded in cases of collisions or if the CG has to investigate.
2. You can check the channel you want someone to switch and answer but there’s no guarantee it will remain clear. Often you hear people say “switch and answer channel **, if you don’t get me - come back to channel 16. I hope this help and I hope you enjoy your time on the water!!!
Shawn very helpful 1 question channel 22 Alpha is that just channel 22 on the radio or is it a different station. I dont remember seeing alpha like stations listed when scrolling thru the channels.
I appreciate the time you put into these videos
George, excellent question! Your radio should display 22A on your radio. Here's a link that may do a better job explaining this than I can do: www.navcen.uscg.gov/us-vhf-channel-information
International and US use different standards. We have two systems at work on our marine radios - Simplex and Duplex. The letter "A" following a VHF FM radio channel number typically designates a simplex frequency. Simplex frequencies are those on which only one party can transmit at a time, while the other party listens. Of course, we have no control over any of this, it happens automatically when we key the mic. In contrast - duplex frequencies, which allow both parties to transmit and receive simultaneously. The use of simplex frequencies helps to avoid interference and ensure clear communication between parties.
Thank you so much for you question and your comment - I hope to see you out there.
Great video, I think I get what you are doing, not going too deep into radio, or other protocols. Like rules of the road COLREG etc.
I did it to you before and I cannot help myself:
Please,
Talk about Calling on 16
Calling Pan-Pan
Calling Mayday-Mayday.
That could emphasize why boaters should stay off 16!!!
Also this is USA rule of the road only the rest of the world is different.
Cheers,
a
Hey Alain, I truly appreciate you responding and commenting on these videos! My targeted audience has always been beginning boater who don't know a thing about boating. My primary goal is to make it as safe as possible while they enjoy the boating world. Another issue is, nobody has an attention span anymore. If you get too far into the details, people click off. I'm thinking of doing some online courses where I can really get into the weed on a particular subject and maybe invite a couple of my friends who know a lot more about the subject to speak. I just need a few more hours in the week:)
Hi, just subbed as we are new boat owners, quick question, I thought you could only use the radio if you're licensed? We are in Europe
Thank you so much for your comment and for subscribing! If you are a recreational boater traveling within the United States, you do not need a license for a VHF Marine Radio.
If you communicate with foreign coast or ship stations, you must have a RESTRICTED RADIOTELEPHONE OPERATOR PERMIT (sometimes referred to by boaters as an "individual license") in addition to your ship radio station license. I believe these applications are included when you purchase a new radio as well as registering your new radio for DSC. Regardless, you must file an application with the FCC but there is not test requirement.
I am not sure what the requirements might be in Europe.
Great info! I do have one question that I seem to find conflicting information online about - what is the correct way to read GPS coordinates over the radio when communicating with the CG? I’ve heard all different variations from boaters and it even seems there are slight differences from the CG at times while listening on Erie. Any help on this is greatly appreciated!
Drake, thank you so much for your comment! I'm not sure I understand your question exactly but I'll give you this and if I missed the mark, please let me know. I checked my "Watch Officer's Guide" book by James Stavridis, USN retired, and couldn't find anything I could reference for you so I'm going to spitball it a little. Before GPS we would transmit our coordinates in Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds. Then charts started coming out in Degrees, Minutes, and Tenths. Sometimes we would send our position in Loran C lines. Having said all this, I would fall back on basic training where we would transmit entire messages via the radio. It is almost its own language using the phonetic alphabet and reading figures clearly and concisely. I'm not sure I've answered your question but let me know!
Any reason you did not mention PAN PAN-PAN PAN?
My focus was on radio Frequencies and getting beginner boater to start talking on the radio. No reason in particular, I’m pretty sure I went into detail on Urgent Marine Broadcasts in my Mayday video.
I find it interesting is correctly using VHF marine radio initial call transmissions procedures; which are rarely studied. When obtaining your restricted radio operators permit does not require any such course. What I hear all too often is repeating station calling and working 3 times for normal transmissions. From what I understand you should use 2X's transmission for initial call of a potentially UNMONITORED stations. Better just once if no response call again. Then just talk normal. Can you tell me where are these addressed in CG regulations?? I thought only emergency distress, urgency and safety transmissions require a repetitive calling. This operating procedure has seemed to fester into a standard call procedure for normal calls throughout the amateur marine VHF community. Routine calling procedures require name and or other identifying information of the station being called, spoken once only. The three times should ONLY be used for distress, whether for Sucurite, Pan or MayDay.
Bo Jangles thank you so much for your comment. It sounds like you have a lot of experience and have spent some time listening to a radio. I'm not if or where the Coast Guard regulations are regarding your question. I do know that things get out of hand from time to time and either the FCC (here in the United States) or the Coast Guard will reel them in. At present time, one of the things that drive me crazy is commercial salvage boats and small ferries doing a security call every time they leave the dock, enter or exit a harbor or body of water. Clearly they are using these radio procedure to advertise their business as opposite giving up a heads up.