Marine VHF Radio

1
Marine VHF Radio

• Course to prepare for
• Restricted Certificate of Competency
• Supplied courtesy of
• Ger Keeling

2
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)

3
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

4
Modern Marine Radio

• There are a number of radio bands allocated
  specifically for marine use. The main ones are
• 415 -- 535 kHz Morse Telegraphy
• 1606 -- 2850 kHz MF Marine Radio
  Telephony
• 4 -- 28 mHz HF Marine Radio
  Telephony
• 156 -- 162 mHz VHF Marine Radio
  Telephony

5
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

6
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

7
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

8
Station Identity

• 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 vessels name or a
  combination of both the name and call sign.

9
General format of message
Name 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
10
Pro words and other common phrases
I copy or Copied
Seelonce Prudonce
This is
Stand By Stand By one
Over
Mayday
Out
My position is
Pan Pan
Station Calling -- ?
Traffic
Securite
Say again Word before -- Word after --
TR
Mayday Relay
UTC
Unreadable
Signal Strength
All before --- All after --
All Stations
ETA
I say again --
ETD
Received
SAR
Nothing Heard
11
The Phonetic Alphabet
A Alpha B Bravo C Charlie D Delta E Echo F Foxtrot
G Golf H Hotel I India J Juliet K Kilo L Lima M M
ike N November
O Oscar P Papa Q Quebec R Romeo S Sierra T Tango U
Uniform V Victor W Whiskey X X-Ray Y Yankee Z Zul
u
12
Phonetic Numerals
1 Won 2 Too 3 Tree 4 Fow-er 5 Fife 6 Six 7 Sev-en
8 Ate 9 Niner 0 Zero
The number 294.8 would be stated as
follows TOO NINER FOWER DECIMAL ATE
13
Stating Time and Position
My Position is FIFE TREE ZERO NINER DECIMAL
ATE North ZERO SIX ZERO FIFE
DECIMAL TREE West
or
My Position is TOO miles bearing TOO
NINER FIFE from Moulditch Buoy
Time TOO WON ZERO NINER UTC
2130 or 0930 p.m. GMT 2230 or 1030
p.m. BST
14
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

15
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 Channels
• 6 8 10 72 73
• Port Operations
• 12 14 11 09 68 71
• Small Boat Safety
• 67
• Coastal Radio Station
• 83 Dublin 87 Wicklow
• 23 Rosslare

16
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)

17
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 peoples personal names

18
What is Radio

• Radio is a type of natural radiated energy,
  known as Electro-magnetic Radiation (EMR)
• Since its discovery, we have learned to transmit
  and receive it and harness it for many uses.

Other EMR
Radio EMR
Radio Broadcasts TV Broadcasts Communications RADA
R Microwave Ovens
Visibe Light Infra Red Light Ultra Violet
Light X-Rays Lasers
- are all forms of Electro-Magnetic Radiation
19
EMRs Wave-like Behaviour
Wave Length The distance between two adjacent
peaks Metres
Frequency The number of peaks which pass a point
in a second Hertz
20
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

21
Frequency vs. Wavelength
22
Frequency
1 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
23
Signal Propagation
Frequencies below approx 3Mhz follow along the
earths curved surface and are therefore
described as Ground Waves ( e.g. Long and
Medium Wave radio broadcasts)
24
Short Wave Propogation
The earths atmosphere is surrounded by layers of
charged gas particles, referred to as the
Ionosphere Frequencies between approx 3Mhz and
30Mhz tend to reflect off the Ionosphere. These
are described as Sky Waves (also Short Wave
or HF)
25
VHF/UHF/SHF Propogation
Frequencies above approx 50 MHz are limited to
Line of Sight and are therefore useful for
local, aviation and celestial uses.
26
Ground Wave Uses
Long Range Communications
Marine Medium Frequency
Marine Morse Telegraphy
Medium Wave Radio
Long Wave Radio
30 KHz
300 KHz
3 MHz
2 MHz
1 MHz
10 KM
1 KM
100 M
27
Basic RadioTransmitter
Transmitter
157.0 MHz
28
Basic Radio Receiver
Receiver only listens to signals on its
tuned frequency.
Receiver
157.0 MHz
29
Transmitting a Signal
Transmitter
Receiver
157.0 MHz
157.0 MHz
30
Transmitting Sound Waves
Sound
Sound Wave
Modulation
Transmitted Radio Signal
Radio Wave
The sound wave is modulated on to
the Carrier frequency
Radio Wave
Transmitter
157.0 MHz
31
Receiving Sound Waves
Radio Wave
Receiver
Receiver only listens to signals on its
tuned frequency
157.0 MHz
Sound
Sound Wave
32
The Radio Tranceiver
Common Antenna
Receiver
Speaker
Receiving
Normally On
The Push to Talk (PTT) Button
Radio Wave
Normally Off
Transmitter
Microphone
33
The Radio Tranceiver
Common Antenna
Receiver
Speaker
Off when pressed
The Push to Talk (PTT) Button
Radio Wave
On when pressed
Transmitting
Transmitter
Microphone
34
Squelch Control
On/Off/ Volume
Receiver
Normally On
Channel Selector
Radio Wave
Normally Off
Transmitter
High / Low Power
35
Squelch
On/Off Volume
Receiver
Noise
Message
Normally On
Silence
Radio Wave
Normally Off
Transmitter
Receiving
36
Ch 83
Channel Select
Ch 67
Ch 16
Ch 0
161.775 MHz
Receiver
156.8 MHz
off
PTT Button
Radio Wave
on
157.175 MHz
Transmitter
156.8 MHz
37
Calling another Station
Name of station being called and call sign (if
applicable) Repeat up to three times
Ross Turk,
This is
Name of calling station and call sign (if
applicable) Repeat up to three times
Misha, Misha
Message to be sent
Channel Six
Over
Typical Example only !!
If no response, wait for approx three minutes and
try again.
38
Response to a Call
Name of station being responding to call sign
(if applicable)
Mise,
This is
Name of responding station and call sign (if
applicable)
Ross Turk,
Message to be sent
Going to Channel Six
Over
Typical Example only !!
On working channel, the calling station generally
speaks first
39
The Distress Call
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
Name of station in Distress
This is
Yacht Mise,
Yacht Mise,
Yacht Mise,
Mayday,
Position of Vessel in Distress
My position is Fife Tree Zero Ate North, Zero,
Six, Zero Won West
Nature of Distress
Vessel holed and sinking Two persons on board.
Other Information
Will fire flares, no further radio contact
possible
Mayday
Typical Example only !!
Send message on Ch 16 or any channel where a
response is likely
40
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

41
Acknowledging a Distress Call
Mayday, once only !! Yacht Mise
Name of responding station
This is
Dublin Radio, Received, Mayday
Typical Example only !!
Any station hearing a MAYDAY must
acknowledge, Wait for a brief moment to ensure
that you are not over-transmitting a 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 station and 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.
42
Mayday Relay, Mayday Relay, Mayday Relay
Name of station Relaying Mayday
Mayday Relay,
Relay the original message making it clear that
you yourself are not in distress
Mayday Yacht Pogtone, Yacht Pogtone, Yacht
Pogtone,
position is (Position of Distressed vessel, not
yours !!) Fife Tree Zero Ate North, Zero, Six,
Zero Won West
DistressMessage (do not add to it, just relay
as it was received)
Vessel holed and sinking Two persons on board.
Will fire flares, no further radio contact
possible
This is Yacht Mise, Mayday Relay
Repeat your name / call sign again at the end
if the message is excessively long
Typical Example only !!
43
Simplex
Ch 0
Ch 0
44
Duplex Transmission
Ch 83
Ch 83
Transmitter
161.775 MHz
Transmitter
Ship Station
Shore Station
45
Typical Coast Station
Receiver
Transmitter
Ch 16
Ch 16
Receiver
Transmitter
Ch 67
Ch 67
Receiver
Transmitter
Ch 83
Ch 83
Dublin Radio
46
999 Calls
Malin Head Radio
Malin MRSC
Glen Head Radio
Irish Marine Emergency Services Lifeboats Insho
re All Weather IMES Coastal Rescue
Units IMES SIKORSKI S61N
Helicopter Air Corps Helicopters
Belmullet Radio
Dublin Radio
Dublin MRCC
Clifden Radio
Wicklow Head Radio
Shannon Radio
Valentia MRSC
Rosslare Radio
Valentia Radio
Mine Head Radio
Cork Radio
Bantry Radio
47
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

48
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.

49
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

50
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

51
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

52
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

53
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

54
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

55
Revision...

• General Regulations ..
• h) Ships 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