VHF Radio Etiquette

[wwilson]

Originally Posted by wwilson

Here is an interesting article on an automated radio check service that SeaTow is initiating. I haven't tired it yet - maybe I will today and report back.

SeaTow Free Radio Check Service

Anybody used it yet? The list below the article shows the working locations.

I'm just back from the boat and I tried the automated radio check. It worked slick as snot!

Tune to 27, transmit a radio check in any form you normally use and you will get a recording of your transmission played right back to you, then the SeaTow identification. Their transponder is in Annapolis - so depending on your location on the Bay - that may not provide much of a distance check, but you will hear exactly what your own transmission sounds like.

When I tried it on 28, I had no reply, but could hear the squelch broken, as though their system from (much farther away) was responding - Hampton Rodes, VA?

Please spread the word - maybe those weekend compulsive radio checkers will move to 27 or 28 (fat chance)

[St Anna]

Originally Posted by mccary

Durring the recent Sailnet Photo Op in Annapolis (last Sunday) I was on the rt 450 bridge and had my handheld Standard Horizon 851 with me. The boats were about ¼-½ mile above & below the bridge. I was easily heard on LOW power by all (no one complained). The high power on that unit is 6 watts and has 1W, 2.5W, 5W settings.

Hi Mate,
Its line of sight, position, height of antenna, power and radio quality.

If, you were on a bridge, what altitude is the antenna? It should transmit a mile or so. Many fixed sets onboard have the antenna up the mast for greater range. Whip antennas should be at the stern and also at a small angle off the vertical to clear interferance and impedance reasons.

Although this has nothing to do with your comments, weather patterns also have an impact on VHF reception and transmision. A trough can cause 'skip'. You may not be able to communicate with someone a mile away, but can hear transmissions up to 300nm away as if they were next door!

Casio's problem is probably the norm, as in addition to the low altitude (prob 4'), he has the interupted line of sight and also other electrical impedance caused by instruments and mast/ stays etc.

Anyway, I reckon you should have been on the water with them

[Boasun]

Whats annoying is when you are on low power contacting Freshwater Bayou Lock when you are stepped on by a tug using high power 25 miles away talking to Leland lock on the ICW. And you don't talk to the locks until you have the gate house in sight...