MComm Ch6 - 1
Chapter 6Chapter 6
Radiotelephone (voice)Operating Procedures
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MComm Ch6 - 2
• Basic Operations
• Calling Procedures
• Testing Procedures
• Golden Rule of Radio
• Summary
OverviewOverview
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MComm Ch6 - 3
• Introduction
• Listening Requirement
• Mayday Communications
• Prohibited Communications
• Radio Vocabulary
Basic OperationsBasic Operations
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MComm Ch6 - 4
• Transmission vs. Communications
• Equipment Operations Microphone Squelch controls Push-to-Talk Other radio controls
• Station Identification
• VHF-FM Channels
Introduction TopicsIntroduction Topics
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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. CommunicationsTransmission vs. Communications
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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 OperationsEquipment Operations
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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 TransmitterPTT switch
TransmitterRF Freq Receiver
Push-to-TalkPush-to-Talk
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MComm Ch6 - 8
Fixed Mount VHF Radios
Fixed Mount VHF Radios
Courtesy of ICOM
On/OffVolum
e
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
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MComm Ch6 - 9
Handheld VHF RadioHandheld 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
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MComm Ch6 - 10
• 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 IdentificationStation Identification
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MComm Ch6 - 11
VHF-FM Channels - 1VHF-FM Channels - 1
VHF ChannelsVHF Channels PurposePurpose
0606 Ship to Ship SafetyShip to Ship Safety
0909 Alternate Calling ChannelAlternate Calling Channel
1313 Navigation Safety – ship to ship, locks, bridgesNavigation Safety – ship to ship, locks, bridges
1616 Calling, Emergency, DistressCalling, Emergency, Distress
22A22A Use only when directed by Coast GuardUse only when directed by Coast Guard
68, 69, 71, 72*, 7868, 69, 71, 72*, 78 Working Channels for Recreational BoatsWorking Channels for Recreational Boats
WX1, WX2, … WX9WX1, WX2, … WX9 Weather (receive only)Weather (receive only)
* 72 is for intership use only (not for ship to shore)>>
MComm Ch6 - 12
VHF-FM Channels - 2VHF-FM Channels - 2
Port Operations12 (in some areas)
14
65 and 66
73, 74 and 75
Safety 06
Bridge-to-Bridge
13 (most areas)
67 (on lower
Mississippi)>>
MComm Ch6 - 13
Listening Requirements - 1
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
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MComm Ch6 - 14
• 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
Listening Requirements - 2
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MComm Ch6 - 15
• 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
Mayday Communications
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MComm Ch6 - 16
• 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
Priority of Communications
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MComm Ch6 - 17
• 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
Prohibited Communications
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MComm Ch6 - 18
• Brevity
• Procedure Words
• Phonetic Alphabet
Radio Vocabulary - Topics
Radio Vocabulary - Topics
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MComm Ch6 - 19
• 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
BrevityBrevity
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MComm Ch6 - 20
THIS IS Name of vessel to follow
OVER Done talking, your turn to talk
OUT Conversation over (Goodbye)
AFFIRMATIVE Yes
NEGATIVE No
End each transmission with EITHER “OVER” or “OUT” (not both)
Procedure Words - 1Procedure Words - 1
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MComm Ch6 - 21
ROGER Message received
WILCO Message received, I will comply
WAIT I will be back in a few seconds
SAY AGAIN Not understood, please repeat
I SPELL Phonetic spelling to follow
Procedure Words - 2Procedure Words - 2
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MComm Ch6 - 22
Phonetic AlphabetPhonetic Alphabet
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MComm Ch6 - 23
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 - 1Phonetic Example - 1
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MComm Ch6 - 24
Phonetic Example - 2Phonetic 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”
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Wind Elephant
MComm Ch6 - 25
• 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 NumbersPhonetic Numbers
(wun, zerro, niner)
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MComm Ch6 - 26
• Routine (non-emergency)
• Emergency (distress, urgency and safety)
Calling ProceduresCalling Procedures
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MComm Ch6 - 27
• 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 - 1Routine Calling - 1
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MComm Ch6 - 28
• 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 CallsTiming of Calls
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MComm Ch6 - 29
• 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 - 2Routine Calling - 2
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MComm Ch6 - 30
• 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 - 3Routine Calling - 3
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MComm Ch6 - 31
• 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 - 4Routine Calling - 4
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MComm Ch6 - 32
• Distress (Mayday)
• Urgency (Pan-Pan)
• Safety (Security)
Emergency Calling Procedures
Emergency Calling Procedures
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MComm Ch6 - 33
Distress (Mayday) Calling
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
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MComm Ch6 - 34
Quick ApproachQuick Approach (no time to enter type of distress)
• Press and hold RedRed button for 5 seconds
Making a DSC Distress Call
Making a DSC Distress Call
Courtesy of ICOM
DISTRESS
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MComm Ch6 - 35
MMSI ID – Key to search and rescue information
DSC Distress InformationDSC Distress Information
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MComm Ch6 - 36
• 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
Voice Distress (Mayday) Call
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MComm Ch6 - 37
Mayday TechniqueMayday 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
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MComm Ch6 - 38
• 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 TemplateMayday Template
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MComm Ch6 - 39
• 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
Acknowledging Mayday - 1
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MComm Ch6 - 40
• 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
Acknowledging Mayday - 2
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MComm Ch6 - 41
Urgency (Pan-Pan) Calling
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.”
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MComm Ch6 - 42
Range is 0.5 nm
Safety (Security) Calling
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.”
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MComm Ch6 - 43
Response to Security Call – 1
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 Ch6 - 44
• (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
Response to Security Call - 2
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MComm Ch6 - 45
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 PracticeIn-Class Practice
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MComm Ch6 - 46
• Test Transmission Receiving Transmitting
• Test Calls Option “A” on working channel Option “B”, hailed on channel
16, then switched to working channel
Testing ProceduresTesting Procedures
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MComm Ch6 - 47
• 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 2nd radio, transmitter is
OK
Test TransmissionTest Transmission
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MComm Ch6 - 48
(Palmetto Elephant on 68)
“Palmetto Elephant testing: one, two, three, three, two, one.Test out.”
Procedure – Test Transmission
Procedure – Test Transmission
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MComm Ch6 - 49
• 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 CallsTest Calls
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MComm Ch6 - 50
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”
Procedure – Test Call “A”
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MComm Ch6 - 51
• Top 3 signal strength reports LOUD GOOD WEAK
• Top 3 voice readability reports CLEAR READABLE DISTORTED
Strength and Readability
Strength and Readability
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MComm Ch6 - 52
(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
Procedure – Test Call “B” - 1
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MComm Ch6 - 53
(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
Procedure – Test Call “B” - 2
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MComm Ch6 - 54
• 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
Professional Radio Operator
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MComm Ch6 - 55
• Operate your station as you would have others do
• Remember It is our radio service Our lives may depend upon it
Golden Rule of RadioGolden Rule of Radio
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MComm Ch6 - 56
• 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
SummarySummary
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MComm Ch6 - 57
• 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 - MaydaySummary - Mayday
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MComm Ch6 - 58
• 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
Summary – Urgency and Safety
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MComm Ch6 - 59
• 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 - TestingSummary - Testing
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