Your VHF (Very High Frequency Radio) could be the most important piece of equipment in a life and death situation. Keep it healthy, with your boat's batteries charged up in top ship shape. If your VHF radio is a hand-held, keep extra cell batteries on the boat, and note their shelf life. Continually check connections for any battery.
In addition to calling for help in an emergency, your radio can be used for communicating with other boats, bridge and harbor tenders and locks. Some VHF radios have the added feature of being a weather radio.
If you are new to boating and have never used a VHF radio before, there are a few universal terms and features fpr you to understand.
- When first turned on you may hear static, the “squelch”. Turn the knob until the static stops.
- Channel 16 should become your new best friend. It is the channel that is monitored by the US Coast Guard and Marine Units, Conservation Police and Harbor Masters. If you are on Channel 16 and don't have an emergency, any of the aforementioned entities will have you switch to another channel.
- Some commercial vessels also monitor Channel 70, and as of February 1, 2005, vessels over 300 tons are not required to monitor Channel 16, but are required by international law to monitor Channel 70.
Etiquette
Only use Channel 16 for emergencies. Not only for emergencies on your own boat, but also if you see other boaters, swimmers, or wildlife in an emergency situation.
Don't use Channel 16 for hailing other boats to say hello, to inform dock mates that the beer is getting cold, or idle chit chat. You could be preventing someone else from getting emergency help.
Mayday calls are only for immediate danger to lives or to property.
Always monitor Channel 16 while underway.
Commercial vessels can be hailed on Channel 13 if you are concerned about their intention.
When hailing another vessel listen to Channel 16, and when no one is talking, start with three repetitions of the name of the vessel you are hailing. “Moon dog.” “Moon dog.” Moon dog.” Follow with your own vessel's name and station ID. Wait for a response, and then agree to switch to another channel. Always refer to each other with your vessel's name.
When you are finished with your conversation, Repeat your boat name, followed by, “Out.” Such as, “Moon Dog Out.” The term “Over and Out” is no longer used.
Before you set sail, do a briefing with everyone onboard on how to use the radio. This includes children. The skipper isn't always the one who calls for help. Your life may be in someone else's hands. You want them to know how to use the radio.
On some radios, the dials are difficult to read, and the numbers appear in small type. It is a good idea to keep a magnifying glass, a pair of magnifying reading glasses, and a flashlight near your radio.
When calling in an emergency on your VHF, speak slowly and use the NATO phonetic alphabet for letters. “P as in Papa.” Or, Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, etc.
Become familiar with your VHF radio. Read the manual. Try out different settings. Know its features so that no matter what the conditions, you are comfortable calling for help.
The Top Five VHF Recommended Radios *
1. Standard Horizon GX1700B Standard Explorer GPS VHF Marine Radio
Best Features: Can be used as a GPS, a two-way radio, a weather radio, and an emergency radio; lightweight; easy to mount; ready to use right out of the box.
Downside: Several users reported it stopped working after a short period of time.
2. Standard Horizon HX870 Floating 6W Handheld VHF with Internal GPS
Best Features: Handheld, Lightweight, portable
Downside: Radio range was shorter than expected. (Radio Range will depend on the height of your VHF antenna.)
3. Uniden UM380 25 Watt Fixed Mount Marine VHF Radio
Best Features: Compact design attaching to any vessel with ease. SAME weather alert technology.
Downside: Users were looking for a better range with this radio. (Radio Range will depend on the height of your VHF antenna.)
4. COBRA MRF45D Marine Radio
Best Features: Can choose between 1 or 25-watt output for short or long-range communication. This device offers NOAA alert and weather channels.
Downside: Users felt transmission could be more clear.
5. Cobra MRHH350FLT Floating VHF Long Range Marine Radio
Best Features: Three power settings. Floats and waterproof.
Downside: A few reviewers received radios that were damaged when they arrived.
* Source: CW Touch Keyer
Fair winds. Smooth sailing.
To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/.
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Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com
©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com
