VHF Radio Channel Usage

VHF Radio Channel Usage and Do's and Dont's

Boat/U.S. Guide to
Radio Manners

Now that the Federal Communications Commission has eliminated radio licenses for recreational boats in the United States, there’s no eason why the VHF marine band has to become another Citizen’s Band free-for-all.

Everyone who depends upon a two-way radio for their safety out on the water has a stake in the future of the VHF frequency. Boat/U.S. is equally concerned and is urging members to join the Association in an active effort to promote proper use of the airwaves and actively discourage abuse. The best way to do that is to educate skippers, guests, family members and fellow boaters on how to correctly use the marine radio.

Although the license has been eliminated, FCC regulations still remain in effect. VHF radio operating rules continue to apply and violators can still be subject to fines by the FCC up to $8,000. The marine band is monitored by both the FCC and the U.S. Coast Guard and both agencies have sensitive radio direction finders that can track a violator, for instance a false “Mayday” caller.

But an even better reason to safeguard the marine VHF band is its lifesaving importance to everyone out on the water. Skippers in will traveled boating areas who monitor Channel 16 are often distressed to hear repeated violations of proper radio usage rules.

“Many radio users simply do not know what the rules are,” said Jim Ellis Director of the Boat/U.S. Foundation for Boating Safety. “They don’t realize that they could be putting lives in jeopardy.”

Among the most egregious offenses on the VHF marine band are issuing a false Mayday call, using profanities, monopolizing Channel 16 and using an improper channel. Some people even broadcast “Mayday radio checks” according to Joe Hersey, Chief of Telecommunications for the Coast Guard. These are false Mayday calls just to see if one’s radio is working.

The rules for radio operation are mainly common sense and are described in detail in at least two easy-to-read reference books, Chapman’s Communications Afloat by Elbert S. Maloney, and the maritime Radio Users Handbook by the Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services. Both are available through Boat/U. S. Also, the U.S. Coast Guard’s home page on the World Wide Web has information.

While many boaters who want to have long conversations are better off using cellular telephones while boating many forget that the real value of the VHF transmission in an emergency is that everyone can hear a call for help.

When inconsiderate broadcasters use foul language over the airwaves which causes boaters, especially those with children, to shut the radio off, a potential source of rescue has been eliminated.

Keep in mind that Channel 9 has been designated as a calling channel nationwide, and it ahs helped relieve congestion on Channel 16. The Coast Guard, however, does not monitor Channel 9. Channel 16 is always the first choice for emergencies or to hear official alerts.

Requesting a radio check from the Coast Guard on Channel 16 is prohibited. It is also not proper procedure to issue a call to ” any vessel, any vessel” and request a radio check. What members may do is hail “TowBOAT/U.S. on Channel 16 or 9, and when you receive a reply, switch to a working channel. The Tow BOAT/U.S. skipper will be glad to respond.

The Dos:

Whenever the radio is on, monitor Channel 16, unless you are communication on another channel;
Before transmitting, listen for 30 seconds to hear if the channel is in use;
At the beginning and end of your transmission, identify your vessel by its name of your radio call sign;
Use Channel 16 or 9 for calling and when contact is made, switch immediately to an unused working channel; (See box)
Set the radio to the low power setting whenever possible; you don;'t need the high power setting to talk to somone across your creek;
Speak slowly and clearly with the microphone about an inch from your mouth; there's no need to shout- it distorts your transmission;
Keep all communications as brief as possible;

The Don'ts:

Don't call the Coast Guard requesting a radio check
Don't use the VHF radio for transmitting on land
Don't monopolize any channel with long conversations or idle chatter
Don't let children use the radio or think it's a toy. don't allow children to play on the boat with no adult present, even in th driveway
Don't broadcast a Mayday unless there is immediate danger to life or property
Don't broadcast profanities or insults. It is a criminal offense to transmit obscene, profane or indecent language or meanings
Don't speak on channel 70; it's reserved for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) only

Channels Available for Recreational Boats

Distress, Safety, Calling...................................16
Calling..........................................................................9
Recreational Use...........................68-69, 71-72, 78
Marine Operator...................................24-28, 84-87
Locks, Canals, Bridges, Pilots..........................13
Digital, Selective Calling (DSC)......................70

Please Post

VHF

Channel Frequencies and Usages are from the Coast Pilot; Pacific Coast (25th Edition)

TRANSMIT/RECEIVE (MHz)

156.050 - 156.050
156.250 - 156.250
156.300 - 156.300
156.350 - 156.350
156.400 - 156.400
156.450 - 156.450
156.500 - 156.500
156.550 - 156.550
156.600 - 156.600
156.650 - 156.650
156.700 - 156.700
156.800 - 156.800
156.850 - 156.850
156.900 - 156.900
156.950 - 156.950
157.000 - 161.600
157.100 - 157.100
157.200 - 161.800
157.250 - 161.850
157.300 - 161.900
157.350 - 161.950
157.400 - 162.000
156.175 - 156.175
156.275 - 156.275
156.325 - 156.325
156.375 - 156.375
156.425 - 156.425
156.475 - 156.475
156.575 - 156.575
156.625 - 156.625
156.675 - 156.675
156.725 - 156.725
156.875 - 156.875
156.925 - 156.925
156.975 - 156.975
157.025 - 157.025
157.225 - 161.825
157.275 - 161.875
157.325 - 161.925
157.375 - 161.975
157.425 - 162.025
157.425 - 157.425

USAGE

Port operations and commercial
Port operations
Intership safety
Commercial
Commercial (ship-to-ship only)
Commercial and non-commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Port operations (traffic advisories, including VTS in some
Navigational (ship-to-ship), also used at locks and bridges
Port operations (traaffic advisories, including VS in some
Distress, safety and calling
State or local government control
Commercial
Commercial
Port operations (traffic advisories)
Coast Guard Liaison
Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)
Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)
Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)
Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)
Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)
VTS New Orleans
Port operations (traffic advisories)
Port operations (traffic advisories)
Commercial (ship-to-ship)
Non-commercial
Non-commercial
Non-commercial
Non-commercial (ship-to-ship only)
Port operations (traffic advisories)
Port operations (traffic advisories)
Port operations (ship-to-ship, to and from pilots docking ships)
Non-commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)
Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)
Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)
Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)
Public correspondence in Puget Sound
Commercial, fishing (ship-to-ship)