VHF common courtesy and tips?

[txav8r]

I said I wouldn't do it! But I'm not going to be on my lakes, I'm going to be on Lake Powell, and covering distances up to 75 miles from my base marina at Wahweap. So I purchased a handheld VHF radio. I bought a West Marine VHF 160.

What I would Like to know is common hailing channels, typical hail call, and any other tips or info you can give a total marine VHF operator would like to know. I am not new to VHF, HF, or Satcom communication. I fly for a living so I know the lingo to use in aviation. But I don't know squat about marine radio ops. So hook a guy up if you can! Over

And thanks!

 

[Bruce]

Channel 16 is for emergency calls. You should always monitor 16. If you get in trouble call for help on 16 at full power.

You can hail marinas or other ships on 16 if needed. They will likely reply with an alternate channel to continue communicating on. Marinas probably have another frequency that they monitor but you may not know it when approaching

You should always use the minimum amount of power for the communication. Most fixed radios max out at 25 watts but have 5 and 1 watt modes. If you were hailing a nearby ship or marina you could switch to 1 watt. If that does not work then move up to 5.

The Coast Guard has good info online at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtBoater

 

[David Analog]

Finish every communication with "good buddy".

 

[txav8r]

Finish every communication with "good buddy".

I thought that was "10-4 Good Buddy"! I laughed out loud at that one David!

 

[farrelltravis]

Is HF used in commercial aviation? Now you are talking my ham radio terms!

 

[txav8r]

HF is used when your out of VHF range completely. Like crossing the north atlantic, NOPAC, or WATRS routes. My experience is limited to those, and I am sure there are other areas that require HF communications. You don't typically need HF for north or south America. Even most routes to Alaska don't need it. But it is like stepping back in time, with clarity and static. Most commercial carriers have SELCAL equipment installed that allows the flight to be contacted, so a listening watch on a static laden frequency isn't necessary for hours on end.

 

[farrelltravis]

HF is used when your out of VHF range completely. Like crossing the north atlantic, NOPAC, or WATRS routes. My experience is limited to those, and I am sure there are other areas that require HF communications. You don't typically need HF for north or south America. Even most routes to Alaska don't need it. But it is like stepping back in time, with clarity and static. Most commercial carriers have SELCAL equipment installed that allows the flight to be contacted, so a listening watch on a static laden frequency isn't necessary for hours on end.

Ok. I see and understand. My grandfather was a ham radio operator from age 14. When WWII came about, he became a radioman on a B25 Mitchell. For long range aviation communication, I understand HF. I was thinking you were talking about continental US travels using HF.

 

[Bruce]

@txav8r you also can make pan-pan calls on VHF. I assume you are familiar with these from work. They are documented at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-pan

I was surprised at how many pan pan calls I heard after the group left Bimini and we switched to 16. Especially in the smooth water on the way home.

 

[txav8r]

I am familiar with both urgent and distress calls. I guess my question had more on hailing another vessel or marina. I read that it is illegal to make a distress call when it isn't needed. Since 16 is basically "guard" or "emergency" only, how can you call a marina or hail another vessel on that frequency and then switch to a non commercial frequency? Isn't that frowned upon? There is a pretty young crowd in aviation today. I hear a good deal of horseplay on "guard", 121.5mhz all the time. That is so wrong that I can't believe it when I hear it. But it seems that whoever it is doesn't have the same respect for, or observance of, the rules. If someone in dire need has an issue and needs to raise help fast, there are times the frequency is being cluttered with nonsense. When you call them on it and ask them to leave the frequency, they just up the ante. So my reluctance to use 16 for anything other than monitor or emergency/urgency is up there. I also read conflicting info on making either mayday or pan pan calls, as to how. In aviation, it is 3 times and then provide info...I read one of these that had you calling mayday 3 times, then vessel name 3 times. Someone writing the rules isn't clear. It isn't rocket science and your not going to get a grade on the water, but the point is to be heard and get the help you need or provide help to someone else. But the rules I have seen are pretty much all over the place vs the next place you look. Coast guard rules are probably correct...but does the coast guard monitor and control Lake Powell? Anyway, overthinking it again.

 

[Bruce]

I read that it is illegal to make a distress call when it isn't needed

You can use 16 to hail a vessel. It should be quick an using minimal power then switch to a different agreed channel. If you can see it you can talk to it with 1 watt of output. The Coast Guard has good examples at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtBoater

I also read conflicting info on making either mayday or pan pan calls

The Coast Guard also has a Mayday example at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtBoater

Personally I would choose a radio that has built in GPS and DSC functionality. I do not every plan to make a Mayday call. If I was in such a situation I would press the DSC button and focus on handling the emergency. The Coast Guard's DSC instructions are online at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=DSCDistress

 

[jasoraso]

Others may chime in here - its a been a few years since I've been to Powell But my recollection is that at Powell ch 16 is typically used for hailing vessels, marina, and then switching to another channel to continue communications. In my experience, people are pretty good about swtiching to another channel, rather than continuing on 16, but it is pretty common to hear chatter, hailing on ch16. I don't think Coast Guards monitors Powell radio, but the marinas definitely do, and I think the park service does as well. All houseboats will have a fixed radio, and most will monitor 16, and many radios will simultaneously monitor 16 and another channel - so you can pick a different channel to use with your ski boat for regular communications while still monitoring 16 (you probably already knew that

You probably also know that the handhelds are much more limited in power and range, unless you use an external antenna, and at Powell that can make a BIG difference. Distances may not be far - but the cliffs are tall

When I was a kid (30 years ago) there was an AT*T operator that monitored a different channel at Powell - and you could place phone calls over the marine radio - if you were comfortable giving out your credit card info OTA, or a collect call. Now, if you have line of sight to Navajo mountain, you can usually make a phone call - at least on Verizon But in an emergency, Marine radio can definitely be more reliable at Powell, but as you travel closer to the middle of the lake - all bets are off - you may need to travel to an open spot to raise someone on the marine radio or cell phone.

 

[txav8r]

I appreciate the input @jasoraso . I didn't have a need for a VHF radio on my local lakes. I bought the 6W handheld to have in case of emergency at Powell. Mostly due to distance and possible separation from anyone! I understand the range limitations of a handheld. It isn't likely that we will be more than a few miles removed from "someone"...if that someone has a VHF and monitors. I am going on that, because even a 25W VHF 20 miles up a canyon with 400' sheer walls, won't "reach out and touch someone". We are comfortable boating, but Powell is vastly different than my lake that is certainly dwarfed by its size and remoteness. We will hit Dangling Rope for fuel both outbound and inbound everyday we travel the lake. But at this point, we intend to see Rainbow Bridge Nat. Mon. and many of the canyons and features of Powell. Just a week ago, I didn't intend to travel past RB, but now, I think it is only 20-25 miles well into the Escalante Arm, and there is just too much beauty and magnificence to pass up. In the words of James Garner in Murphy's Romance..."I came to dance". And by dance, I mean see Powell and as much as she has to offer in the weeks we have to see her. I guess I could have either bought or rented a big houseboat with room for a fixed VHF and whoop aerial antenna...but then I would not have been able to cover and see all that I can in the Yamaha! So all you Powell boaters..."put your ears on!" we will be on the water and if we have an issue, we will buy the beer after you get us back to port! If a group of jetboaters.net guys can run to Bimini, I can run up and down powell! Seriously, I doubt my ATT cell phone will reach anyone past Dangling Rope. Got a first aid kit and protection...my wimpy assed handheld VHF probably won't get much use, but I have it if I need it...and I would guess that we are looking to see the same features and places everyone else wants to see...so at some point we will probably see other boaters. Your advice and intel was just what the dr. ordered @jasoraso , any other suggestions are welcome!

 

[Bruce]

@txav8r, do you have a weather radio? I have read that storms can be really bad on Lake Powell.

The only better solution I can think of would be the Sirius Marine Weather data. But I do not believe that you can rent those.

 

[txav8r]

The handheld has a bunch of weather channels as well. I have read the same thing @Bruce Fortunately, we will be there during a much more calm season. But that doesn't mean I won't be paying attention to them. I think I have the weather thing dialed in. I don't take chances or push a bad position. But it is hard to read the weather and anticipate up some canyon with 400' walls!

I would love some of you experienced powell boaters to elaborate on where you seek shelter when needed.

 

[Bruce]

The handheld has a bunch of weather channels as well.

Would you to take my Delorme InReach? I would not be using it this month.

 

[txav8r]

Very generous @Bruce Not sure the time frame works. Looks like a nice setup. Text and messaging? You will have to explain its use and operation to me.

 

[tdonoughue]

But to your original question, Mel, the USCG links that @Bruce posted have the info that have read and experienced. Namely, 9 is the rec boater hailing frequency; 16 is the emergency frequency. You hail and reply to another channel. The links even have scripts... Now, I don't think I have generally heard the conversations that short (perhaps in Texas we are more laid back?), but generally the traffic on 9/16 is short or moves to another channel as indicated on that site.

 

[sysinu]

Stay off 16 unless you are underway or are in need of assistance - otherwise all you will hear is people getting on/off houseboats or the stupid cart services trucks yapping back and forth.

Channel 68 and 69 are ship-to-ship channels, so that's what you use for non-commercial talk. I personally like listening to 22A because I like watching shows like Alaska state troopers and Cops. 22A is coastguard, so you will hear about all the boats that are stuck on rocks and other crap needing a tow (happens every day... you wouldn't believe the frequency of it).

 

[sysinu]

channel 9 is for commercial use only. And commercial users listen on channel 16, most of the boat yards don't dual watch channel 9, they just listen on 16 for a hail and then they instruct a change to channel 9.

edit: speaking from experience on Lake Powell and using VHF all the time on that lake. 16 to hail a commercial entity, but otherwise only stay that channel while underway up or down lake in case there is an emergency near you where you can assist or relay. Otherwise, use channels 68/69 for ship-to-ship ... NPS does monitor those channels, but they won't nag you when you hail someone without a 2 minute delay or don't use the appropriate VHF etiquette.

 

[Skysurfer2010]

I am familiar with both urgent and distress calls. I guess my question had more on hailing another vessel or marina. I read that it is illegal to make a distress call when it isn't needed. Since 16 is basically "guard" or "emergency" only, how can you call a marina or hail another vessel on that frequency and then switch to a non commercial frequency? Isn't that frowned upon? There is a pretty young crowd in aviation today. I hear a good deal of horseplay on "guard", 121.5mhz all the time. That is so wrong that I can't believe it when I hear it. But it seems that whoever it is doesn't have the same respect for, or observance of, the rules. If someone in dire need has an issue and needs to raise help fast, there are times the frequency is being cluttered with nonsense. When you call them on it and ask them to leave the frequency, they just up the ante. So my reluctance to use 16 for anything other than monitor or emergency/urgency is up there. I also read conflicting info on making either mayday or pan pan calls, as to how. In aviation, it is 3 times and then provide info...I read one of these that had you calling mayday 3 times, then vessel name 3 times. Someone writing the rules isn't clear. It isn't rocket science and your not going to get a grade on the water, but the point is to be heard and get the help you need or provide help to someone else. But the rules I have seen are pretty much all over the place vs the next place you look. Coast guard rules are probably correct...but does the coast guard monitor and control Lake Powell? Anyway, overthinking it again.

The 121.5 banter has little to do with age and everything to do with professionalism. I cringe when people are goofing off on it, but I find it ironic when a cranky old timer tries to chastise someone and therefore be just as bad as the clown goofing off on it.