Jim, of course I'll try a different channel first. My point was simply
incredibly unlikely that you're going to be interfering with anything.
> Paul,
> Why not just do as you are asked. The people who came up with the rules
> for Channel 16 must have had their reasons for doing what they do. They
> certainly gave it a lot more thought and research than one individual
> can. Aviation has a large number of rules regarding the use of various
> radio frequencies and, believe me, there is nothing in the world more
> frustrating than trying to use one while two idiots are already sitting
> on it discussing last Saturday's BBQ. WARDOG has a point and made it in
> a very polite manner.
> There is also this to consider. While you are using 16, however briefly,
> you may block a transmission from someone that is in a life-critical
> situation. I'm sure you wouldn't want to do that.
> Just a few thoughts................
> Jim
> > If you get a response on 68 or 9, fine. However, since 16 is used for
> > hailing, my experience is that that's where you are most likely to get
> > someone to talk to you. On weekdays in SF bay 16 is a ghost town.
> > (Everyone uses cellphones these days).
> > The analogy to 911 is a terrible one. There are always calls coming in
> > to 911, and each call has to be routed to a person.
> > 16 is for hailing. If it makes you feel any better, hail on 16 and ask
> > to do a radio check on 68. This is downright stupid, because by then
> > you've already done your radio check.
> > Good luck getting a reply on anything other than 16. If someone is on
> > another channel they are already talking to someone, or working, and
> > they don't want to be bothered by your radio check.
> > There are a lot of rules regarding VHF use. Most of them are designed
> > to prevent abuse. If you are reasonable and considerate, there usually
> > is no problem. Heck, there usually is no problem if you are drunk, a
> > total A-hole, and everyone is yelling at you and your redneck fishing
> > buddy to get off of 16.
> > BTW, I bought that really small Uniden (smallest VHF made), and one
> > really nice feature is that when you turn it on it goes automatically
> > to 16 and 5w setting. In other words, if you are using it for
> > emergencies, all you have to do is turn it on and press the talk
> > button. It also has a battery indicator, so you can make sure it's
> > fully charged before sailing. I'll be testing it soon, with a radio
> > check, and if I have to use channel 16, please don't sick the coasties
> > on me, ok? ;-) Thanks.
> >> I have to agree with WD. Seems pretty damn silly to use 16 when you can
> >> just as easily use 9. If you dont get a response on 16 does that mean
> >> you are SOL or does that mean people are following the rules? If you
> >> dont get a response on 9, and really really really need to know, maybe
> >> consider 16.
> >> I've called 911 a few times, and about HALF of those times I've gotten
> >> busy signals. I say only 25% of the time (I've made probably 20 calls) I
> >> go straight through to the dispatcher. I keep the LOCAL number in my
> >> cell phone and the same thing occurs when I call this number (911 from a
> >> cell phone connects you to the state highway patrol dispatch then they
> >> connect you to your local dispatch)... the 911 system is indeed burdened.
> >> Brad
> >>>> In the real world, you can use 16 to do a readio check no problem.
> >>> Whatever...I'm not a cop and you are free to do what you want...but,
> >>> in the *real* world, the USCG regs specifically state EXACTLY as I
> >>> have posted:
> >>> b) NO RADIO CHECKS ON CHANNEL 16
> >>> A Federal Communications Commission ruling prohibits boaters from
> >>> using Channel 16 for non-emergency radio checks. Do not ask for or
> >>> respond to a radio check on channel 16.
> >>> UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES AT ALL TIMES
> >>> 1. Use Channel 16 for Distress and Hailing only.
> >>> 2. Keep all calling on Channel 16 to an absolute minimum.
> >>> 3. It is illegal to use Channel 16 for Radio Checks.
> >>> http://SportToday.org/
> >>> This is cut & pasted directly from the regs...the caps are not mine...
> >>> It's not that hard to use Channel 9 or 68 for radio checks...
> >>> The analogy is non-emergency calls on 911...it is also illegal to dial
> >>> 9-1-1 when there is no emergency...are you gonna tell everyone it's OK
> >>> to call 9-1-1 to "test" their phone?...same thing...
> >>> http://SportToday.org/
> >>> "Feb. 10, 2006 ? Every minute of every day, 380 people call 911.
> >>> That's a staggering 200 million calls a year.
> >>> But now the nation's lifeline has a problem. In a surprising number of
> >>> emergency calls, there's no emergency."
> >>> WARDOG
> >>> http://SportToday.org/
> >>>> These days there is very little traffic on 16, so just don't do it
> >>>> when there is something going on. A radio check should take about 3
> >>>> seconds, so it's really not that big a deal.
> >>>> "This is windsurfer at loation doing Radio Check to Any Vessel".
> >>>> "This is vessel xyz at location, receiveing you loud and clear"
> >>>> "Thank you, windsurfer out".
> >>>> No one is going to know who you are anyway, nor care.
> >>>> If you want to obey the letter of the law, hail any vessel for a
> >>>> radio check on channel 16, then switch to another channel to do the
> >>>> actual radio check. However, since the check only takes 2 seconds,
> >>>>> Thanks for the info WD, I changed the subject a bit so I, and others,
> >>>>> can find it on google easier
> >>>>> Brad
> >>>>>> Use Channel 9 or 68 for radio checks...
> >>>>>> See 2b. below...
> >>>>>>> Before I put it
> >>>>>>>> on, I turn it on to make sure it works and it is set to 16 or 9 (
> >>>>>>>> emergency channels, even though there is 'quick ch16 button') and
> >>>>>>>> then turn it back off. I've been tempted to 'test it' out on the
> >>>>>>>> water to see if I could hail the coast guard, but not sure they
> >>>>>>>> would appreciate my chatter (anyone know if this is OK? or if
> >>>>>>>> there is like a standard callout that the coast guard will
> >>>>>>>> respond to if they arent busy?).
> >>>>>> http://SportToday.org/
> >>>>>> 2) CHANNEL 16 (156.8 MHz) This is the international VHF-FM
> >>>>>> radiotelephone distress, safety and calling frequency used for
> >>>>>> distress and urgent traffic, safety signals, marine information
> >>>>>> broadcasts, and general calling and reply. After the preliminary
> >>>>>> call to establish communications, mariners should shift as soon as
> >>>>>> possible to an appropriate working frequency. In order to
> >>>>>> facilitate the reception of distress traffic, all transmissions
> >>>>>> should be kept to an absolute minimum and must not exceed one
> >>>>>> minute. a) Channel 16 Call-Up Procedure 1) Call up the vessel you
> >>>>>> are attempting to contact using the vessel's name. The name is
> >>>>>> spoken twice. 2) Next, send the name of your vessel and call sign
> >>>>>> spoken twice prefaced by the phrase: this is. 3) End the call-up by
> >>>>>> saying, "channel 16, over." 4) When the vessel being called answers,
> >>>>>> shift to an agreed upon channel. b) NO RADIO CHECKS ON CHANNEL 16
> >>>>>> A Federal Communications Commission ruling prohibits boaters from
> >>>>>> using Channel 16 for non-emergency radio checks. Do not ask for or
> >>>>>> respond to a radio check on channel 16.
> >>>>>> UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES AT ALL TIMES
> >>>>>> 1. Use Channel 16 for Distress and Hailing only.
> >>>>>> 2. Keep all calling on Channel 16 to an absolute minimum.
> >>>>>> 3. It is illegal to use Channel 16 for Radio Checks.
> >>>>>> 4. LISTEN before transmitting--don't interfere with other stations'
> >>>>>> calls.
> >>>>>> 5. Don't call Marine Operators on Channel 16. Use working channels.
> >>>>>> 6. Children should be taught how to operate a radio in case of
> >>>>>> emergency.
> >>>>>> 7. Children should also be taught that a RADIO IS NOT A TOY!
> >>>>>> 8. Use LOW POWER as often as possible.
> >>>>>> 9. NO unnecessary communications are permitted on VHF.
> >>>>>> 10. Never use a Telephone Credit Card on your VHF-- others can hear
> >>>>>> your number. Use a Marine Telephone Identification Number (MIN).
> >>>>>> WARDOG
...
by