Marine Radios Revisited

Post general kiteboarding discussion topics here!
User avatar
tgautier
Regular
Regular
Posts:359
Joined:Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:32 pm
Contact:

Post by tgautier » Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:43 am

Anyone have thoughts on a radio vs EPIRB?

Tony Soprano
Resident
Resident
Posts:741
Joined:Sat May 19, 2007 7:29 pm
Contact:

Re: Marine Radios Revisited

Post by Tony Soprano » Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:04 am

Radio Checks use channel 9.

http://sfba.org/MarineRadioGuide.shtml

SFBA Marine Radio Guide

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A VHF marine radio allows for direct communication with boats, ships, and the U.S. Coast Guard. If you sail a mile or more from shore or in an area where you would have difficulty returning safely to shore if you were disabled, you should seriously consider carrying a marine radio. When you carry a radio, you are improving safety for everyone because you can call for help if you come across another windsurfer or kitesurfer in distress.



Radio vs. Cell Phone



Because VHF radios allow you to talk directly with the Coast Guard stations and vessels in an emergency, VHF may allow you to guide help directly to your location. VHF radio will also allow you to talk with other commercial or pleasure boats in your area that may be able to offer assistance. Because VHF radios are available in highly waterproof form and with excellent warranties, they are a great option for the tough marine environment. For many people, the main downside of the VHF radio is the cost because they may already own a cell phone. Just remember that your cell phone will likely be ruined if it gets wet. While cell phones are affordable when they are packaged with service plans that include a 1-2 year commitment, they may be as expensive as a VHF radio to replace during the course of your contract. If you have a cell phone form a previous provider that you do not use, you may be able to carry it for 9-1-1 dialing only. Cellular networks are supposed to support 9-1-1 dialing even from phones that are not activated for general services. If you choose to carry a cell phone, it is usually best to directly dial the agency you need in an emergency since 9-1-1 operators may not be familiar with the nautical land marks and locations. For Coast Guard assistance in the S.F. bay, call (415) 399-3451.



Which Radio



Windsurfing and kitesurfing can subject a radio to frequent impacts and repeated exposure to water. You should buy a high quality VHF marine radio that is submersible rated (IPX-7 or JIS-7 - meaning the radio will survive immersion under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes under laboratory conditions) and has a good warranty. Good radios are available is the $150-$250 price range. Manufacturers including of some of the better models include Icom, Raymarine, Standard Horizon, Uniden, and West Marine. Many of these radios are small enough to be carried around your neck or in a harness mounted rescue pack. Icom recently released a “submersible plus” radio that is rated to JIS-8 standards, meaning the radio will survive immersion under 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes under laboratory conditions.



Battery



Most submersible rated radios currently on the market use rechargeable batteries (LiIon/NiMH). Some radios use or allow the use of AA or AAA replaceable or disposable batteries. Avoid older radios that use NiCad batteries as NiCad batteries can be unreliable and leave you without power when you need it most. The newer rechargeable batteries are more reliable than NiCad batteries but they also may lose some capacity over time and the power can drain from the batteries over a period of weeks or months. If you use a rechargeable battery, make sure to check the charge regularly. The most reliable batteries to use are AA or AAA alkaline or lithium batteries that can hold their charge for years. Even the newer rechargeable batteries have some failure risk as evidenced by the recent recall of laptop batteries that pose an incendiary risk.



Carrying Your Radio



Many people carry their radio in a pouch or fanny pack. Some of the smaller radios can also be carried inside the wetsuit hanging around your neck. The higher up on your body you carry your radio, the less likely it is to be damaged by water intrusion since the water pressure increases with depth. If you carry a fanny pack, it will need to have a low profile so that it is not hit by waves as you lean out away from your sail. Some harness manufacturers make low profile packs that attach to the back of a harness. Your radio will not last long if it gets wet frequently. You should place your radio in a waterproof container, ideally a waterproof radio bag. Some people use a hard case because they find it more resistant to leaks and other place an extra bag inside or around their radio bag to create a double seal against water intrusion. Some people use a 3 strap harness (standard with the Aquapac heavy duty radio bag) to carry the radio on their chest or back. If you carry the radio in a fanny pack or on a harness, you should use a small leash or lanyard to act as a safety so that you will not lose the radio if a strap or buckle fails.



Waterproof Pouch



The radio should ideally be carried in a high quality waterproof pouch, such as an Aquapac pouch (available at REI stores and online). A lower quality bag may cost less but could result in a non-functional radio if it leaks. On the water, you should leave the radio inside the pouch when you operate it. The pouch screens any wind off of the microphone and will still provide a clear transmission. In high winds, wind noise and water on the mike can make the transmissions from an unprotected microphone totally unintelligible. Make sure to squeeze the air out of your pouch before sealing it as a pouch with air inside can blow a seam if you land on it after jumping.



Even the most durable radios fail and the best radios can fail in a matter of a few weeks of use if they are not carried in a waterproof pouch. Corrosion can quickly damage a radio. In a waterproof pouch, condensation will result in a radio getting wet even if the pouch does not leak at all. Ideally, the radio should be rinsed and dried frequently. The combination of a submersible rated radio and a waterproof pouch should allow you to get multiple seasons of use from your radio. You can place desiccant pouches in the radio bag to absorb the moisture from condensation.



Radio Settings



Before you go out, you should make sure that your VHF radio is set to U.S. channels. Most VHF radios have a button that will switch the radio between U.S. channels, Canadian channels, and International channels. If you accidentally switch to Canadian or International channels, your broadcasts may not be heard.



Most VHF radios can transmit at low (1 watt) and high (5 watt) power settings. You should initially transmit on low power so that you are not tying up the emergency frequency in other areas. If you cannot get an answer or the answering party is having difficulty hearing you, then you should switch to high power.



Channels



9 Boater Calling Channel, okay for non-commercial use

14 Vessel Traffic Service

16 Distress/Emergency

20A/21A/22A Coast Guard Operations



You should test your radio regularly. You can conduct a radio check on Channel 9. Do not conduct a radio check on Channel 16, 21A, or 22A. The best bet is to find another windsurfer or kitesurfer with a radio and call them requesting a radio check. They can reply by telling you that they read you “loud and clear” if all is well. This will allow you to check the speaker and the microphone as well as the ability to transmit.



In an emergency situation, you will hail the Coast Guard on Channel 16. Once they establish contact, they may ask you to shift to another channel. When you are getting tossed around with your gear in the waves, it is easy for the radio to get bumped and the channel can get switched. If you lose contact, confirm your channel setting. Ideally you should learn how to lock the keys on your radio and lock the channel in once you are on the working frequency.



Transmitting



Only one radio can be heard at a time on most VHF channels. If you transmit while someone else is transmitting, one or both of the broadcasts will not be heard. You should listen before you transmit to make sure that you are not going to interrupt (“step on”) another communication. If you broadcast a message and do not get an immediate reply, you should wait for a minute and listen and then try again.



VHF radio communications are generally line of sight communications. If there is an obstruction (e.g. an island or buildings) between you and the station you are calling, your broadcast may not reach that station. The Coast Guard has repeater antennae located around the bay that improve coverage. If you cannot reach the Coast Guard in an emergency, another vessel may be able to relay messages for you. Many ships and boats monitor Channel 16 on a regular basis. If you are trying unsuccessfully to reach the Coast Guard and no one volunteers to act as a relay, you should ask if any mariner can relay your messages.



Radio Terminology



Because VHF radio requires that you take turns transmitting, it is normal to use pro-words such as “over” and “out” at the end of your transmission in order to let others know that the frequency is now open for them to transmit or reply. Generally, you will finish your transmission with “over.” If you are making a final call and do not expect a reply, finish by adding “out” at the end of your transmission. You should start every transmission by identifying who you are calling and then who you are (e,g, “Coast Guard, this is ________”). Numbers are generally given digit by digit (for the number 60 you would say “six zero” vs. “sixty”). If you can remember, use the appropriate terminology, but don’t be overly concerned with the details. The Coast Guard is there to help and in an emergency they will work with you regardless of how well honed your radio skills are.



If you or someone is in immediate danger, you can initiate your broadcast with “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” and immediately broadcast the information on your position and the situation even before you hear anyone respond. In an urgent situation, you would initiate the broadcast with Pan-pan, Pan-pan, Pan-pan or you can call “Coast Guard, Coast Guard.” If you know which station is close by you can call for that station. Under the Golden Gate Bridge you would call for Station Golden Gate. If you were not west of Alcatraz (i.e. Berkeley, Coyote Point, Larkspur) you would call for Station San Francisco. In most cases, the Coast Guard will ask you to switch to another channel once communications are established so that channel 16 is free if another emergency comes up.



For instructions on a formal Mayday call, see the Coast Guard website:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/boater.htm



In general, you will have time to hail the Coast Guard and get a reply before giving all the necessary information. The Coast Guard radio operators generally expect to hear from boats, so they may ask you what kind of vessel you are, the length of your vessel, and the number of persons on board. You may need to tell them more than once that you are a windsurfer or kitesurfer. The Coast Guard boats can listen on the same frequencies as the stations. Once you see a Coast Guard boat in your area, you can direct them by asking the to come port (left) or starboard (right) to reach your location.



A hailing transmission should include:

(1) Who you are hailing, repeated twice (e.g. Coast Guard, Coast Guard)

(2) “This is” _________ (e.g. This is windsurfer off of Coyote Point)

(3) “on channel one six” (Coast Guard watch standers monitor numerous channels)

(4) “Over.”



The full hailing transmission would be:

Coast Guard, Coast Guard this is windsurfer off of Coyote Point on channel one six. Over.



If there is more than one windsurfer or kitesurfer calling from your area, you may want to add your name after “windsurfer” or “kitesurfer” so that there is no confusion as to who is who or as to how many incidents are occurring (e.g. “this is windsurfer john” or “this is kitesurfer smith”). In rough seas your radio can get bumped as you struggle with your equipment. Check your radio frequently to ensure that you are still on the desired channel.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Example of an emergency communication via VHF radio:



Windsurfer: Coast Guard, Coast Guard, this is windsurfer located off Crissy Field, over.



USCG: Windsurfer located off of Crissy Field, this is Coast Guard Station Golden Gate, over.



Windsurfer: Station Golden Gate, this is windsurfer located off Crissy Field. I am standing by with another windsurfer who is injured. We are located approximately one point five miles north of Crissy Field East Beach and due east of the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, over.



USCG: Windsurfer located off of Crissy Field, this is Station Golden Gate. Switch the channel two-two alpha (22A). If you cannot establish radio contact on two-two alpha (22A), switch back to channel one six (16), over.



Windsurfer: Windsurfer located off of Crissy Field switching to channel two-two alpha (22A) over (switch channel to 22A). Station Golden Gate, this is windsurfer located off of Crissy Field on 22 alpha over.



USCG: Windsurfer located off of Crissy Field, this is Station Golden Gate. Can you describe the windsurfer and his injuries? Over.



Windsurfer: This is Windsurfer located off of Crissy Field. The injured windsurfer is a white adult male with a broken foot. He has a white board and a blue and yellow sail. Over.



USCG: Windsurfer located off of Crissy Field, this is Station Golden Gate. We will be launching a boat to your location. Can you stay with the injured windsurfer? Over.



Windsurfer: This is Windsurfer located off of Crissy Field. I can stay with the windsurfer. My board is yellow and my sail is red. The current is flooding, so we are drifting in the direction of Alcatraz, over.



USCG: Windsurfer located off of Crissy Field, this is Station Golden Gate. We have a boat headed in your direction, can you see the boat at this time? Over.



Windsurfer: This is Windsurfer located off of Crissy Field. I have your boat in sight. We are ten degree to his starboard (right) side and approximately five zero zero (500) yards ahead. Over.



USCG: Roger that. Our coxswain has you in sight.

User avatar
tgautier
Regular
Regular
Posts:359
Joined:Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:32 pm
Contact:

Post by tgautier » Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:36 am

Thanks Tony for the awesome info!!

I just purchased the M72 at West Marine. Still wondering if the EPIRB is a good idea? They have a really small one called the spot for $99.

User avatar
WindMuch
Site CoAdmin
Site CoAdmin
Posts:1010
Joined:Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:12 pm
Location:Oakland
Contact:

Re: Marine Radios Revisited

Post by WindMuch » Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:44 am

(cheesy West Marine Marketing video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvgb1NSj ... r_embedded[/video]

User avatar
Loscocco
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts:2666
Joined:Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:08 pm
Location:San Francisco California
Contact:

Re: Marine Radios Revisited

Post by Loscocco » Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:03 am

nbon wrote:+1 for the IC M72 with extended warranty.

same here.. and Def get the warranty.. you will need it.
My Photography ==> www.Loscocco.com
Kites:Ocean Rodeo: Flites and Razors
Boards:Ocean Rodeo: Duke and Spotz Hydrofoil
Eyewear:Kurtis Surf Goggles www.KurtisUSA.com

naters1308
Contributor
Contributor
Posts:34
Joined:Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:04 pm
Contact:

Re:

Post by naters1308 » Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:00 pm

tgautier wrote:Thanks Tony for the awesome info!!

I just purchased the M72 at West Marine. Still wondering if the EPIRB is a good idea? They have a really small one called the spot for $99.
I think the EPIRB is a good idea but realistically you want a handheld radio with an integrated DSC or AIS (which I think is coming out shortly). The EPIRB has too many relays and takes to much time in an emergency and unless you are kiting to the Farallones is not necessary. There is a great discussion of this at www.sailinganarchy.com in regards to safety precautions regarding the Low Speed Chase incident.

User avatar
uncle rico
Joey
Joey
Posts:7
Joined:Mon Jun 27, 2011 2:04 pm
Contact:

Re: Marine Radios Revisited

Post by uncle rico » Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:41 pm

Another vote for radios in general. The local Coast Guard has the ability to triangulate your approximate position after a very brief transmission on Channel 16. So, even if you have no idea where you are, or if you are only able to get off a quick call for help, they will have a pretty good idea of where to start looking for you. No such benefits from the cell phone.

Additionally, your fingers might be the first things to go after a long time in the water, so dexterity with the cell phone could quickly become a problem. If you can fit it, radio + cell phone as back-up would of course offer the most redundancy.

As for radio checks, the Coast Guard generally frowns upon doing them as there is a potential to clog up critical emergency frequencies with non-emergency radio traffic. Never do your radio check on Channel 16 (this would be like calling 911 to see if your cell phone is working). 16 should be used for emergencies only. Best bet is to use a fellow kiter on the beach, or try to reach a vessel on Channel 13 (US bridge-to-bridge vessel communication frequency).

I am relatively new to the Bay Area kiting scene and am glad to see such good local discussion on safety.

Be safe!

User avatar
buckidge
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor
Posts:269
Joined:Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:27 pm
Contact:

Re:

Post by buckidge » Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:52 pm

tgautier wrote: They have a really small one called the spot for $99.
I read that the spot was crap. I had one from REI and returned it after reading the article. I'll search for the link. Also the spot required a monthly fee.
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are built for"

User avatar
le noun
Old School
Old School
Posts:1645
Joined:Sat May 21, 2011 11:12 am
Contact:

Re: Marine Radios Revisited

Post by le noun » Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:07 am

I lost you after this part...
Tony Soprano wrote:Radio Checks use channel 9.

http://sfba.org/MarineRadioGuide.shtml

SFBA Marine Radio Guide
Kites: 2020 F-One Bandit: 10m.
Board: 2018 F-One Slice 5'1 Surf/Foil convertible
Harness: Manera Union.
Wetsuit: Manera 5/4 X10D

Tony Soprano
Resident
Resident
Posts:741
Joined:Sat May 19, 2007 7:29 pm
Contact:

Re: Marine Radios Revisited

Post by Tony Soprano » Mon Mar 10, 2014 8:41 am

Bump for 2014

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 59 guests