MARINE VHF RADIO

Your VHF radio is an essential piece of equipment. VHF stands for "very high frequency." There are several other designations. One is "very low frequency." Another is “ultra high frequency.” There is designation for "super high frequency” and one for "extremely high frequency," just to name a few. Your VHF radio is routinely used to communicate with other mariners, facilities on land, highway bridge tenders and others.

The distance that your VHF radio can transmit depends on its wattage (power) and antenna height. A VHF signal is either reflected or absorbed by obstacles in its path. The signal relies primarily on the "direct wave" which is usually referred to as a "line of site" transmission. The curvature of the earth presents one obstacle to the "line of site." The higher your antenna, the further your signal can travel above the curvature of the earth.

To a large degree, on pleasure boats, VHF communication is used for convenience. However, in an emergency, your VHF radio may be your "only" link to assistance. Don't rely on a cellular phone except as a "back-up" means of communication. The marine VHF radio is the "primary" means of communications for a few reasons. First, the U.S. Coast Guard monitors VHF Channel 16 (24 hours a day). Second, all mariners on vessels underway are expected to monitor VHF Channel 16. Third, many land based commercial stations monitor VHF Channel 16. A distress call on VHF Channel 16 is likely to be heard by many people. You can't achieve that exposure with a cellular phone, especially if you're out of range, when you won't reach anyone at all.

Channel 16 is referred to as the "hailing and distress frequency" since it is used both to make distress calls and to establish communication for "non-emergency" purposes.

Once contact is established on channel 16, both parties should agree on another channel on which to continue their "non-emergency" conversation. The communication is "switched" or "shifted" to the other channel which is referred to as a "working channel." By this procedure, channel 16 remains clear for "hailing" and "distress" traffic.

For "emergency assistance", when your vessel is in danger of sinking or other peril, a MAYDAY call is in order. On VHF Channel 16, call MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, this is (vessel name; spoken 3 times). Immediately follow with your vessel's position, nature of distress, kind of assistance desired, number of persons onboard, condition of any injured persons and the condition and description of the vessel.

When you are not in distress, and just calling a friend, there are a few things to remember. If the fellow boater that you are trying to reach is nearby, use “low power” on your radio. There is no sense in bothering folks in a 20 mile radius that you are out of beer and need a six-pack from your buddy.

“Low power” allows the local traffic in your area to hear you clearly without bothering half the county with your “chit-chat.” Be considerate to your fellow boaters by using “low power” for local communication from now on. That practice will also keep you from interfering with a distress call 15 miles away. It will make you a better boater!

Until next time, I wish you clear skies, fair winds, and calm seas!