Conference vicki::boats

    Hi Claudia,
    Suggest you take a U.S.C.G. Auxiliary Safe Boating Course. One of
    the lessons is on "Radiotelephone". It is at least a two hour session
    that would take even longer without you first reading the text.
    At least get a copy of the text and read that chapter. The "Coasties"
    get upset with people who don't use the radio with some level of
    competence. I'm not trying to put you off, but it really would be
    the best thing for you to do!! I don't know where you are located,
    but there are several Auxiliary members who regularly monitor this
    notes conference.
    
    Good Luck,
    
    Don

You on ch 16: US Coast Guard, US Coast Guard, US Coast Guard, this is 
the yacht [name of your vessel], [your call sign], calling. Over.

USCG: This is Coast Guard Station [whatever] to the vessel calling. 

The conversation will either then continue on ch 16 (briefly) or you 
will be asked to switch to another channel (probably 22). When you get 
done, sign off with your boat's name and call sign. 

I've always found the Coasties helpful. 

    As Alan said "it's simple"
    
    A few guidline's : No swearing, use proper alpha's & numerics when
    talking  ie: Call sign  WTC 0589  would be Wiskey Tango Charlie
    Zero Five Eight Nine'a
    
    ect......
    
    Switch to working channel after making contact. 
    Repeat and acknoledge all orders. 
    use words that convey clear consice understanding ie: Aye instead
    of yes. Belay instead of hold, 
    In general if you use standard "Bluejacket" language you'll be fine.
    

    This is helpful information -- sort of what I expected, but I wasn't
    sure.  If anyone can think of anything that hasn't been mentioned,
    please add a note.  Also, if you can point me in the direction of any
    books, etc., that would be great.
    
    Many thanks to those of you who spent time talking to me on the phone.
    I appreciate all your help.

    
     The 1989 NYNEX Boater's Directory has a very good section on how
    to use ship-to-shore radio. (among other things)
    
    					Kenny

    .2 led you down the rosy path of mistakes already! The only time
    you repeat the station you are calling (or your own) three times
    is for a "MAYDAY" or "PAN" message.  I don't want to be picky, but
    this is just the kind of bad information (well intended) that can
    cause difficulty. For example, there are very well defined proceedures
    to follow if your HEAR a "MAYDAY" call. Doing the wrong thing could
    prevent the caller from getting the help they need. Do you know
    what those proceedures are? If not, I again suggest you take a course,
    read a book, go visit the Coast Guard for a few hours, etc.
    Being on the water is a lot of fun, but also very unforgiving.
    

re .6:

Ok, so I got it somewhat wrong. May a cold wave fill my cockpit.

But, seriously, not more than 0.1% of the users of VHF know how to use it 
correctly. Instead of pontificating, why not share your greater 
knowledge and provide more information? Tellling someone to take a 
course isn't very helpful.

    I never intended to start an argument.  All these responses have
    been helpful to me.  Someone has offerred to lend me their copy
    of the Nynex book, and a visit to a Coast Guard station is an
    excellent idea.  (I'll call ahead to make sure they don't mind
    my "dropping in.")  Someone else offered to tape a live conversation.
    So, don't worry about helpfulness.  Everyone has been more helpful
    that I ever imagined.
    
    thanks again.
    claudia
    

        Hi Claudia,
        
        As a new one on the air waves (though not new to the water),
        I have found it very helpful to carry my hand held VHF with me 
        when I am near the water.
        
        Two weekends ago while visiting friends in Naragansett RI, I
        monitored a series of transmissons starting on 16 and switching
        to 22. A 54 foot Bertram was standing by after picking up the 
        people who had abandoned a 40 foot 'cigarett' type that had 
        a fire start in the electronics. 
        
        Several other boats were heard reporting the smoke coming from 
        somewhere southeast of Newport but clearly visible from Point 
        Judith. The boat burned to the water line and sank just before
        the CG boats arrived. 
        
        Even though there are many careless folks who misuse the radio,
        it is reassuring to hear the many who use it properly to the
        benefit and safety of others.
       
        Fred    
        

    No argument, Claudia. Alan and I can both take a clean shot! We
    have often talked about giving a C.G. AUX Safe Boating Course at
    a DEC facility just for DECies. This might be the spark that gets
    us going. 
    Visiting a C.G. base is a good idea, and I know you will be VERY
    welcomed. If you are in the Mass ares, call C.G. Group, Woods Hole
    and ask for Chief Mike Young. He is both a Senior Chief in the C.G.
    and an Auxiliarist. I know he would be glad to go over Radio
    Proceedures with yoy, probably let you spend some time in the radio
    room with some hands-on experience. They really are great people
    to work with.
    
    What is your location? I'll get you a copy of the C.G. Auxiliary
    Safe Boating Course text.
    
    Regards,
    
    Don

    Claudia, Don;
    
    I'd like to register another vote for the Safe Boating Course.  I
    help teach one in the fall and spring and.........The guy who teaches
    our communications segment is the most knowledgable comm. expert I 
    know...it's his life...and he's easy to understand.  MY OPINION,
    Claudia....would be to take the safe boating course closest to your
    home and there's alot more to get out of it than just communications.
    
    rgds and safe boating__mike b

I took the US Power Squadron boating coarse about five years ago. It cost me
$15. State Farm gives me 10% off my boat insurance every year, and that's
about $35 per year savings! 5 (years) x $35 = $175 -- a good investment.

Re .6>
	Since your statement wasn't challenged by Alan I guess its been
left for me to do it. :^)

	Having been a radio operator in the service may slant my judgement
but I think repeating the station's name three times is not limited to a 
mayday or pan call. I think its just good radio procedure which is 
enforced on these emergency calls. 
	The routine calling procedure that I remember is as Alan described in 
reply .2. Why would there be anything wrong with it?

Paul                                                           

    RE: .10 & .11
        
    What a great idea!!  
    
    As a long time 'seat of the pants' boater, both power and sail, I am
    ashamed to admit that I have NEVER taken a formal course. BUT, the
    time has come!
        
    I would appreciate any info on courses in the Eastern Mass area.  I
    work in Maynard, my wife works in Waltham and we live in Lexington.
    We would both be taking the courses and would like to get started this
    fall.
    
    We have a 17 foot 'micro cruising' sail boat that we use mostly for
    coastal day sailing and some weekending.
    
    I do not know what I would do without the BOATS and SAILING notes
    files.
    
    Thanks for any help,
    
    Fred                MARINR::DARROW
    PKO3-2/5B
    223-3935            617-862-1410
    

    It warms my heart to see somebody in the boating world that
    wants to do it "RIGHT", and who gets all this help....
    
    I spent four (4) years in Uncle Sam's Coast Guard, as a
    Radioman - one of the people whose job it is to answer
    distress calls.  (Not the ONLY ones to answer, but that's
    another item...)  You probably have little or no idea what
    it means for one of the "professionals" to have a caller KNOW
    what they want to say, KNOW how to talk into the microphone,
    and KNOW how to get it done in a minimum of time.  The type
    that likes to stick the mike in their mouth (the words come out
    garbled) and spend 5 minutes telling you what brand name their
    boat is.... and oh, yeah, our problem is that we're on fire....
    Aaaaaagggghhhh!!!
    
    I'm about to head home for the night (it's almost midnight).
    I'll see what helpful printed stuff I still have, and will
    try to copy it and get it to you.  Yes, I definitely vote
    for the "take a course" idea.  A couple of hours of actually
    DOING this is very helpful.  
    
    If you live / will be near the water for a while.... I suggest
    borrowing (buying?) a scanner radio, putting in the frequencies
    of channel 16, the various (I think there are 4 main ones in
    New England) Coast Guard working channels, and some other
    channels, and let it run for a while.  You should get the
    feel of the radio "community" ater a while.... and you MIGHT
    listen in on some excitement!
    
                            - Ed -

    re .9:  you are prohibited by law from repeating or using to your
            benefit the contents of an overheard conversation on marine
            radio.
    			J

    re .-1 John, Help me understand where I strayed. I identified no one. I
    repeated nothing. I only shared general information about an event with
    the sole intent that the only 'gain' or 'benefit' would be increased
    awareness reagarding the value of the marine radio when properly used.
    
    Though not new to boats and the water, I am reasonably new to the
    use of marine radio and appreciate being shown wher I misiterpreted the
    law.
    
    Thanks,
    Fred

    Fred, I tend to agree with your cut; you didn't do anything wrong.
    	  The info was general.  Can I claim that I was just stating a
    	  principle to be remembered?
    
    J