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

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30 KHz 300 KHz 3 MHz

Lo

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Wa

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Ma

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Te

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Me

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ave

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2 MHz1 MHz

10 KM 1 KM 100 M

Basic RadioTransmitter

Transmitter

157.0 MHz

Basic Radio Receiver

Receiver

157.0 MHz

Receiver only listens to signals on it’s tunedfrequency.

Transmitting a Signal

Transmitter

157.0 MHz

Receiver

157.0 MHz

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