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VHF Radio

Warning

This brief guide should not be considered a replacement for a proper VHF SRC training course and certification. There should always be a qualified VHF SRC operator onboard.

Authority of the Master#

A ship radio station and the service it provides are placed under the authority of the master, skipper, or the person responsible for the safety of the vessel.

Do not transmit or operate the radio without the permission of the current master of the vessel (which may be the first mate if the skipper goes overboard).

Remember

The master of the vessel must always authorize a Distress or Urgency call being made.

Important VHF Channels for KDY Sailors#

Channel Description
CH 16 Safety, Urgency, Distress, Calling
CH P1 KDY Private - Youth training
CH P2 KDY Private - Sail training

Radio setup#

  1. Turn the radio on by holding power button until the unit powers on and ensure it has sufficient battery.
  2. If the keylock is on (indicated by the icon showing up in the upper-right of the screen), disable it by holding the button.
  3. Adjust the volume by using the VOL/SQL button to between 15 and 20.
  4. Adjust the squelch by using the VOL/SQL button to the lowest possible setting which still filters out background noise (usually 1 or 2).
  5. Change the radio channel to P2 using the arrow keys.
  6. Use the HI/LO soft-key to ensure the radio is set to high power. (Normally we use the lowest power possible that still provides reliable communication to avoid interference with other vessels, but these handheld radios have very low range and P1 and P2 are designated for private use)
  7. Make a radio check to another boat.
  8. Use the DW (dual watch) soft-key to ensure the screen reads DUAL 16 or TRI 16.
  9. Press and hold the button to ensure the keylock is activated. (this ensures that no button presses change the channel or settings, but the side Push to Talk (PTT) button will work as normal)
  10. Secure the radio. (Usually hung off the stern pushpit rails behind the tiller).

Info

Dual-watch means the radio will monitor the channel selected (e.g., P2), but also constantly check VHF CH16 in the background (thus monitoring both channels simultaneously). As VHF CH16 is used for safety of navigation, urgency, distress, and general initial calling it's important to keep watch on this channel at all times. Tri-watch will monitor the selected channel (e.g., P2), VHF CH16, and one other channel based on the radio configuration.

Using the PTT button to transmit on the selected channel (e.g., P2) will disable Dual-watch or Tri-watch. Once you are done communicating you should always re-enable dual-watch or tri-watch using the DW soft-key.

Identification#

Every radio transmission (except for a MAYDAY) must identify both the station you are calling, and the station making the call (in that order). In the event of a MAYDAY, you do not need to specify the station you are calling (it is a broadcast for help), but you must identify yourself.

  • Station being called (twice, or once when communication is already established)
  • Station calling (once)

Example

KDY DS37 #1, KDY DS37 #1 (identify the station being called twice)

THIS IS KDY DS37 #2 (identify the station making the call once)

When do you expect to arrive in Skovshoved?

OVER (This is the end of my transmission and a reply is expected)

Radio Check#

The calling station would request a radio check like so:

KDY DS37 #1, KDY DS37 #1 (identification)

THIS IS KDY DS37 #2 (identification)

RADIO CHECK. (Please comment on the strength and quality of my transmission.)

OVER (This is the end of my transmission and a reply is expected)

The called station, presumably hearing the calling station loud and clear in this example, would respond:

KDY DS37 #2 (identification)

THIS IS KDY DS37 #1 (identification)

RECEIVED LOUD AND CLEAR.

OVER (This is the end of my transmission and a reply is expected)

Finally, the original calling station would reply (to close the loop and confirm both sides can both receive and transmit):

KDY DS37 #1 (identification)

THIS IS KDY DS37 #2 (identification)

Thank you.

OUT (This is the end of my transmission and no reply is expected.)

Urgency Call (PAN-PAN)#

An urgency call (PAN-PAN) is used when "the calling station has very urgent information to transmit concerning the safety of a person, vessel, vehicle, or aircraft".

Making an urgency call#

  1. Disable the keylock (if enabled) by holding the button.
  2. Change to CH 16 using the 16/C button (or use the arrow keys).
  3. Set radio to high power (using the HI/LO soft-key).
  4. Use the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button on the side to transmit.
  5. Proceed to transmit urgency message by voice.

An example urgency call for medical advice#

PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN

Lyngby Radio, Lyngby Radio, Lyngby Radio (identification)

THIS IS KDY DS37 #1, KDY DS37 #1 (identification)

OUR POSITION IS 55° 45.370'N, 012° 38.519'E (position as coordinates or a bearing and distance from a charted mark)

We have a 1 crew member complaining of chest pains and numbness in his arm. (situation and number of persons involved)

Requesting medical advice. (type of assistance needed)

There are 5 persons on board. (total number of persons on board)

OVER.

Distress Call (MAYDAY)#

A distress situation: "a person, vessel, vehicle, or aircraft is in grave and imminent danger, and immediate assistance is required".

MIPDANIO#

A useful mnemonic to remember the information required to communicate on a distress call is MIPDANIO:

  • M - MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY
  • I - Identification (e.g., "THIS IS KDY DS37 #1, KDY DS37 #1, KDY DS37 #1")
  • P - Position (given as coordinates or bearing and distance from a charted object)
  • D - Distress nature (e.g., fire, sinking, man overboard, etc.)
  • A - Assistance required (e.g., we require firefighting equipment, pumps, assistance recovering a MOB, etc.)
  • N - Number of persons on board.
  • I - Any other useful information to rescuers (e.g., "we are a 37-foot white sailing yacht")
  • O - OVER

Making a distress call#

  1. Disable the keylock (if enabled) by holding the button.
  2. Change to CH 16 using the 16/C button (or use the arrow keys).
  3. Set radio to high power (using the HI/LO soft-key).
  4. Use the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button on the side to transmit.
  5. Proceed to transmit distress message by voice.

An example distress call for a vessel sinking#

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY

THIS IS KDY DS37 #1, KDY DS37 #1, KDY DS37 #1 (identification)

OUR POSITION IS 130° FROM SKOVSHOVED HAVN, DISTANCE 2 MILES (position as bearing and distance from a charted mark, or as coordinates)

We are sinking. (Nature of distress)

Request immediate assistance. (Assistance required)

There are 5 persons on board. (total number of persons on board)

We are firing a red parachute flare. We have no liferaft or survival suits.

OVER