Coast guard or 911

[badfish88]

Originally Posted by Gilligan

What about boats that don't have names. How do you address yourself in that situation ?

"Vessel in distress". Or quick description " 20'grady". "Cuddy cabin". ......ect

[shrimpman steve]

Was out the other day and tried a radio check a couple of times with no response. It is a new handheld VHF. Even tried 16 with no response. Makes me a little nervous getting no response. This is why I want a hard wired unit and a longer antenna.

What channel is best for a radio check

[Capt. Debbie]

Typically its some like:

"25 foot boston whaler off Sandy Hook buoy 17 taking on water... "

Originally Posted by Gilligan

What about boats that don't have names. How do you address yourself in that situation ?

[Capt. Debbie]

Sea Tow has an automated radio check. It plays your message back.

Where you calling from? Trasmit signal may not be making it.

See where you are boating and call that Sea Tow ( member or not). Call Sea Tow on Ch 16

Originally Posted by shrimpman steve

Was out the other day and tried a radio check a couple of times with no response. It is a new handheld VHF. Even tried 16 with no response. Makes me a little nervous getting no response. This is why I want a hard wired unit and a longer antenna.

What channel is best for a radio check

[badfish88]

Ch 09. For radio checks. Please do not do them on 16

[Reel Class]

West Marine has an AUTOMATED radio check frequency I believe its channel 25 - call it and they will send you back your transmission to check for any irregularities

[Capt. Debbie]

Cool.

Sea Tow and Boat Us use the old VHF phone channels. But the channels change in different AOR's for each.

See which channel for eaither or both, work in your area.

Originally Posted by Reel Class

West Marine has an AUTOMATED radio check frequency I believe its channel 25 - call it and they will send you back your transmission to check for any irregularities

[Jimmy in Point Beach]

Originally Posted by shrimpman steve

Was out the other day and tried a radio check a couple of times with no response. It is a new handheld VHF. Even tried 16 with no response. Makes me a little nervous getting no response. This is why I want a hard wired unit and a longer antenna.

What channel is best for a radio check

Check your antenna connections Steve. I had that same problem and had to redo one of the connects. I was fine after that.

[Capt. Debbie]

The better antenna will do very little to make a 5 watt signal go farther.

The height is key. I have transmitted while ON the center of the Driscol Bridge 150 feet about sea level and still got no response calling Station Sandy Hook.

The uber antenna drastically juices up you reception. Not sure where you are trying from, but I will tell you the west end of Raritan Bay has so much junk ( buildings and hills) in the way even 25 watt 16 foot antennas do not make it to Station Sandy Hook(USCG).

Same antenna w/ 25 watts will not reach Sandy Hook Bay marina (SH Buoy 5) from Oceanic Bridge because of the hill in the way. That's about 2 miles or less as the crow flies.

Geography plays a part. And in some instances a dominant part

Originally Posted by Jimmy in Point Beach

Check your antenna connections Steve. I had that same problem and had to redo one of the connects. I was fine after that.

[Jimmy in Point Beach]

Originally Posted by Capt. Frank

The better antenna will do very little to make a 5 watt signal go farther.

The height is key. I have transmitted while ON the center of the Driscol Bridge 150 feet about sea level and still got no response calling Station Sandy Hook.

The uber antenna drastically juices up you reception. Not sure where you are trying from, but I will tell you the west end of Raritan Bay has so much junk ( buildings and hills) in the way even 25 watt 16 foot antennas do not make it to Station Sandy Hook(USCG).

Same antenna w/ 25 watts will not reach Sandy Hook Bay marina (SH Buoy 5) from Oceanic Bridge because of the hill in the way. That's about 2 miles or less as the crow flies.

Geography plays a part. And in some instances a dominant part

The boats next to me couldn't hear me with the bad antenna connection even though I could hear them. No problems afterwards but a weak signal is a weak signal.