Marine VHF Radio Course to prepare for Restricted Certificate of Competency Supplied courtesy of Ger Keeling
Dec 15, 2015
Marine VHF Radio
Course to prepare for
Restricted Certificate of Competency
Supplied courtesy of
Ger Keeling
Course Objectives
• To give a brief introduction to the basic principles of radio.
• To relate these to Marine VHF Radio use• To acquaint participants with procedural and
general radio conversation• To give an understanding of the use of radio for
safety of life at sea• To prepare participants for the Department of
Communications examination for the award of a Restricted Certificate of Competence (VHF only)
Marine Radio
• Radio offered the only option for communication with at sea
• Ensuring the safety of seafarers was to be the primary concern
• Early signal transmissions were by Morse Code and later by modulated voice transmissions
• The first known “CDQ” signal was sent by the SS “Titanic”
• The CDQ was replaced by the more familiar SOS
Modern Marine Radio
• There are a number of radio bands allocated specifically for marine use. The main ones are 415 -- 535 kHz Morse Telegraphy1606 -- 2850 kHz MF Marine Radio
Telephony 4 -- 28 mHz HF Marine Radio
Telephony 156 -- 162 mHz VHF Marine Radio
Telephony
Marine VHF Radio
• Easy to use
• Good clear reception
• Reasonable range of coverage for small vessels
• Most vessels over 10 metres are fitted with VHF sets
• Low power requirements make battery operation possible
• VHF facilitates reasonable antenna sizes
• Portable and handheld sets are readily available
• The Relatively low cost of appliances has lead to their great popularity
Control of Marine VHF Radio
• In the Republic of Ireland the use of Marine VHF is controlled by the Minister for Communications
• The laws are applicable within the state and on Irish registered vessels
• The owner is responsible for ensuring that the set is licensed and that the conditions of license are observed. See Appendix 1
• Condition 7 requires that the radio installation may only be operated by persons holding valid Certificates of Competence
Formality of Procedures
• English is the international language of marine communication
• Marine VHF radio is used by many people who do not naturally speak English
• Radio conversations are not as interactive as normal person to person speech
• Conversation must be as short as possible• As many conversations are safety related, there is
a need to have un-ambiguous and precise dialogue
• It is compulsory to identify yourself on every transmission
• When a Radio Installation is licensed, a registered Call Sign is issued
• This will be some combination of letters and numbers, which is internationally registered.
• Irish Call Signs are generally in the form EI XXXX
• It is acceptable to use the vessel’s name or a combination of both the name and call sign.
Station Identity
General format of messageName of station being called and call sign (if applicable)
Repeat up to three times
This is
Name of calling station and call sign (if applicable)Repeat up to three times
Message to be sent
Over
“Pro” words and other common phrases
OverOut
Say againWord before --Word after --
This is
Station Calling -- ?
All before --- All after --I say again --
I copy or Copied
Stand ByStand By oneMy position isTrafficTRUTC
ETAETDSAR
SeeloncePrudonceMayday
Pan PanSecuriteMayday Relay
Received
Signal StrengthUnreadable
Nothing Heard
All Stations
The Phonetic AlphabetA AlphaB BravoC CharlieD DeltaE EchoF FoxtrotG GolfH HotelI IndiaJ JulietK KiloL LimaM MikeN November
O OscarP PapaQ QuebecR RomeoS SierraT TangoU UniformV VictorW WhiskeyX X-RayY YankeeZ Zulu
Phonetic Numerals1 Won2 Too3 Tree4 Fow-er5 Fife6 Six7 Sev-en8 Ate9 Niner0 Zero
The number 294.8 would be stated as follows
TOO NINER FOWER DECIMAL ATE
Stating Time and Position“My Position is FIFE TREE ZERO NINER DECIMAL ATE North
ZERO SIX ZERO FIFE DECIMAL TREE West”
“My Position is TOO miles bearing TOO NINER FIFE from Moulditch Buoy”
Time “TOO WON ZERO NINER UTC”
21:30 or 09:30 p.m. GMT
22:30 or10:30 p.m. BST
or
Precautions before transmitting
• Who is the call intended for• Is the selected channel correct for the
message to be sent and what working channel is appropriate
• Be sure that the channel is not being used and that there is no higher priority incident in progress
• Are you authorised to make the call• Have you composed the message in your
mind
Channel Allocation
• Channel 16
– Emergency Channel
– Initial Calling Channel
• Once contact is made stations must switch to a suitable working channel
• Priority must be given to more important traffic
• Inter Ship Channels6 8 10 72 73
• Port Operations12 14 11 09 68 71
• Small Boat Safety67
• Coastal Radio Station83 Dublin 87 Wicklow23 Rosslare
Channel Allocation
• Marina / Race Control
80 (37 M M2)
• Digital Selective Calling
70 Do not use for voice
• CH 16 Guard band
75 76 May not be used
• US Channels
Used for weather CoastGuard contact etc.
7A 18A 19A 21A 22A
These use one half of an international Duplex channel (explained later)
Good Radio Manners
• Always listen before transmitting• Keep conversations short as possible• Make sure that your message is clear• Use “Pro” words and sound professional and
competent• Obey instructions from coast stations (or more
competent operators)• Speak calmly and clearly• Do not use bad language, CB talk, TV cop habits or
people’s personal names
What is Radio
• Radio is a type of natural radiated energy, known as Electro-magnetic Radiation (EMR)
• Since it’s discovery, we have learned to transmit and receive it and harness it for many uses.
Radio BroadcastsTV BroadcastsCommunicationsRADARMicrowave Ovens
Visibe LightInfra Red LightUltra Violet LightX-RaysLasers
- are all forms of Electro-Magnetic Radiation
Radio EMR Other EMR
EMR’s Wave-like BehaviourWave LengthThe distance between two adjacent peaks [ Metres ]
FrequencyThe number of peaks which pass a point in a second [ Hertz ]
Wavelength• Nowadays we tend to describe radio waves in
terms of frequency rather than wavelength• Wavelength is more commonly used to describe
the higher frequency waves.. e.g. microwaves or lasers and visible light
• The wavelength of radio is however relevant to the size of the antenna or aerial
• Longer wave lengths require huge antennae whereas higher frequencies (shorter wave lengths) require more sophisticated electronics
Frequency vs. WavelengthLong Wavelength -- Low frequency 30 KHz -- 10Kilometers
Short wavelength -- High Frequency 30GHZ -- 1centimeter
Frequency1 Hertz Hz 1 Cycle per second
1 Kilo Hertz KHz 1,000 Cycles per second
1 Mega Hertz MHz 1,000,000 Cycles per second
1 Giga Hertz GHz 1,000,000,000 Cycles per second
1 Tera Hertz THz 1,000,000,000,000 Cycles per second
Signal Propagation
Frequencies below approx 3Mhz follow along the earth’s curved surface and are therefore described as “Ground Waves” ( e.g. Long and Medium Waveradio broadcasts)
Short Wave PropogationThe earth’s atmosphere is surrounded by layers of charged gas particles, referred to as the “Ionosphere”
Frequencies between approx 3Mhz and 30Mhz tend toreflect off the Ionosphere. These are described as “Sky Waves” (also Short Wave or HF)
VHF/UHF/SHF PropogationFrequencies above approx 50 MHz are limited to “Line of Sight” and are therefore useful for local, aviation and celestial uses.
Ground Wave UsesL
on
g R
an
ge
C
om
mu
nic
ati
on
s
30 KHz 300 KHz 3 MHz
Lo
ng
Wa
veR
ad
io
Ma
rin
e M
ors
e
Te
leg
rap
hy
Me
diu
m W
ave
R
ad
io
Ma
rin
e M
ediu
mF
req
ue
ncy
2 MHz1 MHz
10 KM 1 KM 100 M
Transmitting “Sound” Waves
Modulation
Sound
Sound Wave
Radio WaveTransmitter
157.0 MHz
The sound wave is “modulated” on to the“Carrier” frequency
Radio WaveTransmittedRadioSignal
Receiving “Sound” Waves
De-modulation SoundSound Wave
Radio WaveReceiver
157.0 MHz
Receiver only listens to signals on it’s tunedfrequency
Radio Wave
Transmitter
Receiver
156.0 MHz
156.0 MHz
Normally On
The Radio Tranceiver
Normally Off
Receiving
The“Push to Talk” (PTT)Button
Microphone
Speaker
CommonAntenna
Radio Wave
Transmitter
Receiver
156.0 MHz
156.0 MHz
Off when pressed
On when pressed
The Radio Tranceiver
Transmitting
The“Push to Talk” (PTT)Button
Microphone
Speaker
CommonAntenna
Radio Wave
Transmitter
Receiver
156.0 MHz
156.0 MHz
Normally On
Normally Off
On/Off/Volume
SquelchControl
ChannelSelector
High / LowPower
Radio Wave
Transmitter
Receiver
156.0 MHz
156.0 MHz
Normally On
Normally Off
Receiving
On/OffVolume
Squelch
Silence
Noise Message
157.175 MHz
161.775 MHz
156.375 MHz
156.375 MHz
156.8 MHz
156.8 MHz
Radio Wave
Transmitter
Receiver
156.0 MHz
156.0 MHz
off
on
PTTButton
157.0 MHz
157.0 MHz
Ch 83Ch 67
Ch 16Ch 0
ChannelSelect
Calling another StationName of station being called and call sign (if applicable)
Repeat up to three times
This is
Name of calling station and call sign (if applicable)Repeat up to three times
Message to be sent
Over
Ross Turk,
Misha, Misha
Channel Six
If no response, wait for approx three minutes and try again.
Typical Example only !!
Response to a Call
Name of station being responding to call sign (if applicable)
This is
Name of responding station and call sign (if applicable)
Message to be sent
Over
Ross Turk,
Mise,
Going to Channel Six
On working channel, the calling station generally speaks first
Typical Example only !!
The Distress Call
Name of station in Distress
This is
Position of Vessel in Distress
Nature of Distress
Mayday
My position is Fife Tree Zero Ate North,Zero, Six, Zero Won West
Yacht Mise,
Vessel holed and sinkingTwo persons on board.
Send message on Ch 16 or any channel where a response is likely
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
Mayday,
Other Information
Will fire flares, no further radio contact possible
Yacht Mise, Yacht Mise,
Typical Example only !!
Control of a Distress
• When a Mayday is in progress only related radio traffic is allowed
• The ship in distress may impose control on the distress channel
• Normally a coastal radio station (MRCC or an MRSC) will assume control
• The ship in distress may impose silence -- SEELONCE MAYDAY
• A controlling station, which itself is not the vessel in distress can impose silence -- SEELONCE DISTRESS
• Radio silence is lifted with the words -- SEELONCE FEENEE
• If prudent use of the channel is required the word PRUDONCE is used
Acknowledging a Distress Call
Name of responding station
This is
Dublin Radio, Received,Mayday
Mayday, once only !! Yacht Mise
Any station hearing a MAYDAY must acknowledge,Wait for a brief moment to ensure that you are not over-transmittinga Coastal Radio Station or a vessel nearer the scene
If you are in a position to render assistance you must do so
If the MAYDAY has been acknowledged, call the controlling stationand advise them of your ETA and what assistance you can give
If you can not respond, stay quiet, and listen
Send a MAYDAY RELAY, See 13 a,b,c.
Typical Example only !!
Name of station Relaying Mayday
DistressMessage (do not add to it, just relay as it was received)
This is Yacht Mise,Mayday Relay
position is (Position of Distressed vessel, not yours !!)Fife Tree Zero Ate North,Zero, Six, Zero Won West
Vessel holed and sinkingTwo persons on board.
Mayday Relay, Mayday Relay, Mayday Relay
Mayday Yacht Pogtone, Yacht Pogtone, Yacht Pogtone,
Will fire flares, no further radio contact possible
This is Yacht Mise, Yacht Mise, Yacht Mise,Mayday Relay,
Relay the original message making it clear that you yourself are not in distress
Typical Example only !!
Repeat your name / call sign again at the end if the message is excessively long
Radio Wave
Transmitter
Receiver
156.0 MHz
156.0 MHz
Off when pressed
On when pressed Radio Wave
Transmitter
Receiver
156.0 MHz
156.0 MHz
Off when pressed
On when pressed
Simplex Ch 0 Ch 0
Receiver
161.775 MHz
Transmitter
161.775 MHz
151.175 MHz
Receiver
151.175 MHz
Duplex Transmission
Ship Station Shore Station
Transmitter
Ch 83Ch 83
Typical Coast Station
Dublin Radio
Receiver
Ch 16
Transmitter
Ch 16
Receiver
Ch 67
Transmitter
Ch 67
Receiver
Ch 83
Transmitter
Ch 83
Dublin Radio
Wicklow Head Radio
Rosslare Radio
Mine HeadRadio
CorkRadio
BantryRadio
ValentiaRadio
ShannonRadio
ClifdenRadio
BelmulletRadio
Glen HeadRadio
Malin HeadRadio
MalinMRSC
ValentiaMRSC
DublinMRCC
999 Calls
Irish Marine Emergency Services
LifeboatsInshoreAll Weather
IMES Coastal Rescue Units
IMES SIKORSKI S61N Helicopter
Air Corps Helicopters
Other Relevant Developments
• VHF channels can also be used to transmit coded signals which can “activate” the called station.
• This is used to call emergency services on CH 67• Channel 70 is reserved for Digital Selective
Calling (DSC) and may not be used for voice transmission
• DSC will required on all sets after 1999 to facilitate the new GMDSS service
Developments ...
• GMDSS will include sattelite based distress communications via INMARSAT for ships in oceanic regions.
• VHF DSC is required under GMDSS after 1999• Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacons
(EPIRBS) are capable of automatically transmitting a combined distress and position signal.
• Additional VHF direction finding equipment is currently being installed.
Revision
• Licence Conditions– 1) Relevance of International Radio Regulations– 2) Relevance of Merchant Shipping (Safety
Convention) Act 1952– 3) Use limited to Maritime Mobile Service
• Ships• Port Stations• Coastal Radio Stations
– 4) Hygenic conditions– 5) Screening Lights and Safety of Operators– 6) Messages on behalf of Government
Revision ...
• License Conditions Continued– 7) Operators Certificate of Competence– 8) Confidentiality of Traffic– 9) Obligation to Log all messages See General Regulations– 10) Payment for Coastal Radio Services– 11) Notification of Alterations to Equipment– 12) Right of Inspection– 13) Documents to be carried
• Licence• ITC Radio (and Telegraphy) Regulations
Revision ….
• License Conditions Continued ...– 14) Payment of Licence Fees– 15) Power to revoke licence– 16) Ongoing relevance of ITC,
ammandments etc.– 17) Cover of Emergency Radios
» No Certificate of Competence necessary
Revision ….
• General Regulations …– a) Set must be licensed and Operators must
have Certificate of Competency– b) Obey instructions from Coast Stations– c) Stations must identify themselves
• Call Sign (Formally)
• Ships Name (Optionally)
– d) Listen before transmitting
Revision ….
• General Regulations …– e) Channel 16 -- International Distress Frequency. – May only be used for -
• Distress Signal• Distress Call • Distress Traffic• Urgency Signal• Urgency Call• Urgency Traffic• Safety Call Only (Not Safety Traffic)• Establishing a communication with another station
Revision ...
• General Regulations ..– f) All transmission on Ch 16 to be kept to minimum
– g) Listening watch on Ch 16• Ships fitted with VHF Only (Non Compulsory) should
maintain maximum watch on Ch 16
• Irish Ships fitted with VHF (Compulsory) must maintain watch on Ch 16, except in certain conditions, which must be logged.
• Obligation to log all communications relating to Safety, Urgency and Distress Traffic
Revision...
• General Regulations ..– h) Ship’s VHF must be fitted with
• Channel 16 (Distress Channel)
• Channel 6 (Primary Intership Channel)
• All other channels necessary for Service
• Stations must use channels for the allocated purpose as far as possible
• Radio Telephony is forbidden on Ch 70