Cruise Planning and Cruising Course

Chapter 8Communications

United States Power Squadrons ®

Instructors and Students Please Note:Post-release corrections, notes, and updates are posted at:http://www.usps.org/national/eddept/cp/main.htmPlease check the site in order to have the best available materials.

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Summary

VHF Radio MF/HF Radio Watches Satellite systems Marine safety information Cell phones and Wifi

Introduction

Not a technical course on communications; limited to cruising-related information

Inland and coastal cruisers have many options

VHF radio remains an important tool MF and HF are useful for coastal cruisers EPIRB important for coastal cruiser Cell phone and WiFi technology excellent

for the inland cruiser

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VHF Radio

For distress communications, there is no substitute (inland and near coastal)

Communications• Other nearby vessels• Commercial vessels• Bridge tenders

Marine information• Weather• Coast Guard reports

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VHF Radio

Equipment• Hand-held and fixed mount• In-harbor use low power = 1 watt• Cruising use high power = 25 watts• Line of sight, estimated 10 miles range• Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

Calling Procedures• Use low power to initiate contact with other

vessels nearby• Use high power for distress and in open water• Monitor channels 16 and 9

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VHF Radio

• After initial contact, change to 68, 69, 71 or 72 for discussion

• Use channel 13 to contact bridge tenders and for commercial vessel contact

Modes• Radiotelephone

Either transmit or receive; not both

• DSC sends digital signal Important to register MMSI number

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MF/HF Radio

Equipment• Single side band radiotelephone• 60 watts = low power• 150 watts = high power• Greater range than VHF• For the coastal cruiser over 20 miles offshore• DSC also available

Calling procedures• Same as VHF• Coast Guard monitors specific frequencies

depending on your area

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MF/HF Radio

Licensing• Ship Station License required• Restricted Radiotelephone Operator’s Permit

for at least one member of the crew• FCC administers program

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Watches

VHF radio• If your boat is equipped then:

Turned on Monitor channel 16

• Select dual watch with channels 16 and 9• Channel 70 for DSC

MF/HF radio• Radio on• Monitor DSC channel or MF 2182 kHz

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Satellite Systems

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

(EPIRB)• Manually activated (Category II)• Automatically activated (Category I)• Check battery expiration date• Decal must be renewed every two years

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Marine Safety Information

VHF radio• Weather on weather channels WX1-7

MF/HF radio• Designated HF frequencies (see list in manual)• US Coast Guard stations also broadcast safety

information on designated local frequencies• Consult cruising guides for more information

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Cell/Smartphones and WiFi

Cell/Smartphones• Short range approximately 3-10 miles from cell towers• Point to point communication• Should NOT be used for distress• Valuable to the inland boater

Access marine safety and local information Access email

WiFi• Marinas and public facilities

Enables user to obtain email, weather and local information Can be used by Smartphones, tablets, and smartphones

• Becoming more available• Valuable for the inland boater

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