Radio check

[lickingcardboard]

so if i want to check my radio; on ch 16 i hale another boat and ask that they go to ch?? and ask a question or two then say thanks and go back to 16, at that time i will know i have a good setup and no one on ch 16 is going to get mad.

[Bilgewater]

That will work just fine but a better way is to always have a working channel you regularly use or monitor and do your buddy radio checks on that channel without the use of 16. Many if not most boaters have at least 2 radios, one monitoring/dual watching 16 and/or traffic channel and the other one scanning their favorites or switched to their favorite working channel. But I also agree with Boasun on the self radio check.

[MikeWhy]

Originally Posted by DRFerron

... considering the number of times I have heard the CG has come on the radio requesting that people do not use Channel 16 for radio checks, I doubt they'd agree with you.

That's it? Some very loose anecdotes and misguided personal "preferences" should amount to a clubbing with the education churl stick? Seatow, a commercial service, likewise berates with a "the pro's do it" phrasing on a sponsored website when they direct you to their automated services. Are you mistaking their on-air spamming for the law?

A CFR reference or Notice to Mariners would be nice, but I'm more than happy to comply on much less. It should be easy to find, but so far, I haven't found even one.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by MikeWhy

A CFR reference or Notice to Mariners would be nice, but I'm more than happy to comply on much less. It should be easy to find, but so far, I haven't found even one.

I am a Recognized Examiner for the Restricted Operator's Certificate (Marine) in Canada.

We ask folks to use 83A for radio checks with CG. (Spectrum Management and Telecommunications - RBR-2 - Technical Requirements for the Operation of Mobile Stations in the Maritime Service)

[hellosailor]

"What is it with all the radio checks? "

Just a matter of convention. A paisley radio is simply not as common as one might hope.

(Maestro, drum roll please!)

Hounds-tooth plaid perhaps?

[sailpower]

10-4 Good buddy. Got your ears on? Comeback?

Different topic I know but it drives me nuts.

[jackdale]

US Rules

It is illegal to use Channel 16 VHF-FM for radio checks. If requesting a radio check, use Channel 16 VHF-FM to hail the
nearest Coast Guard Unit. Once the Coast Guard Unit acknowledges your hail, request Coast Guard Unit to switch and
answer Channel 22A VHF-FM. Once Coast Guard Unit answers on Channel 22A VHF-FM, you may now request a radio
check. The Coast Guard Unit will respond accordingly.
Before transmitting, listen long enough to be sure there is not a distress in progress and to also ensure you will not interfere
with another station making a call.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lnms/...ice%202011.pdf

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by seayalatermoonglow

We get the same thing up here so I thought this was a good thread to post some information for west coast Canadian waters.
West coast Canadian waters:
- 16 is for emergencies or other station contact only.
- Non emergency CG contact is done on 83a or 83 in the US mode.
- Radio Checks are done on 83a or 83 in the US mode (definately not on 16).
- Most if not all Canadian marina's/Harbour Authorities are NOT contacted on 16, most are on 66a but some are on 06, 72, 68, 73, 10 but the information for the entire Canadian west coast can be found in the "Boaters Blue Pages" published by Pacific Yachting.
- Lower west coast Canada - Winchelsea Control activity is broadcast regularly on WX, the CG does not seem to appreciate giving this info on 16

A good summary

Winchelsea does monitor 10 and 16.

http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/navy_im...ome/notice.pdf

I would encourage folks to monitor vessel traffic services, specially at night or restricted visibility.

[MikeWhy]

Originally Posted by jackdale

It is illegal to use Channel 16 VHF-FM for radio checks. If requesting a radio check, use Channel 16 VHF-FM to hail the nearest Coast Guard Unit. Once the Coast Guard Unit acknowledges your hail, request Coast Guard Unit to switch and answer Channel 22A VHF-FM.

That's even worse than I thought possible. Is anyone else similarly stunned by the apparent bureaucracy? Receiving a legible response already confirmed the function. Just the same, I'll print and laminate the document, and talk to the Coasties every morning. Absolutely wonderful.

[Bilgewater]

Why would you do that? Now I'm confused.
16 is for emergencies, if everyone did what your proposing, how would we deal with emergencies. The regs are there to prevent this very thing. Please tell me I'm misreading your post.