6
English
VHF Marine Radio
Procedures
Voice Calling
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
7
Radio Call Sign
Currently, the FCC does not require recreational boaters to have a license. The United
States Coast Guard recommends that the boat’s registration number and state of registry
(e.g., IL 1234 AB) be used as a call sign and be clearly visible on the vessel.
Canadian Ship Station License
You need a Radio Operator’s Certificate if your vessel is operated in Canadian waters.
Radio Operator training and certification is available from the Canadian Power Squadron.
Visit their website (http://www.cps-ecp.ca/english/newradiocard.html), contact the nearest
field office or write: Industry of Canada, Radio Regulatory Branch, Attn: DOSP, 300 Slater
Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C8.
User Responsibility And Operating Locations
All users are responsible for observing domestic and foreign government regulations
and are subject to severe penalties for violations. The VHF frequencies on your radio
are reserved for marine use and require a special license to operate from land, including
when your boat is on its trailer.
NOTE
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two (2) conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC Warnings: Replacement or substitution of transistors, regular diodes,
or other parts of a unique nature, with parts other than those recommended
by Cobra
®
may cause a violation of the technical regulations of part 80 of the
FCC Rules, or violation of type acceptance requirements of part 2 of the rules.
VHF Marine Radio Procedures
•
Maintain Your Watch
Whenever your boat is underway, the radio must be turned On and be tuned to Channel
16, except when being used for messages.
Power
Try 1 watt first if the station being called is within a few miles. Try a second call after
waiting two (2) minutes. If there is no answer, switch to a higher power. This will
conserve your battery and minimize interference to other users by avoiding repeated
calls.
Calling Coast Stations
Call a coast station on its assigned channel. You may use Channel 16 when you do not
know the assigned channel.
Calling Other Vessels
Call other vessels on Channel 16 or on Channel 9. (Channel 9 is preferred
for recreational vessel use.) You may also call on ship-to-ship channels
when you know that the vessel is listening on a ship-to-ship channel.
Initial Calling on Channel 16 or 9
The use of Channel 16 is permitted for making initial contact (hailing) with another
vessel. The limits on calling must be followed. Be reminded, Channel 16’s most important
function is for Emergency Messages. If, for some reason, Channel 16 is congested, the
use of Channel 9, especially in U.S. waters, may be used as the initial contact (hailing)
channel for non-emergency communication.
Limits On Calling
You must not call the same station for more than 30 seconds at a time.
If you do not get a reply, wait at least two (2) minutes before calling again.
After three (3) calling periods, wait at least 15 minutes before calling again.
Change Channels
After contacting another station on a calling channel, change immediately
to a channel which is available for the type of message you want to send.
Station Identification
Identify, in English, your station by your FCC call sign, ship name, the state registration
number, or other official number at both the beginning and end of each message.
Prohibited Communications
You MUST NOT transmit:
n
False distress or emergency messages.
n
Messages containing obscene, indecent, or profane words or meaning.
n
General calls, signals, or messages (messages not addressed to a particular station)
on Channel 16, except in an emergency or if you are testing your radio.
n
When you are on land.
Voice Calling
•
To Call Another Vessel Or A Shore Installation Such As A Lock Or Bridge Tender:
n
Make sure your radio is On.
n
Select Channel 16 and listen to make sure it is not being used.
NOTE
Channel 9 may be used by recreational vessels for general-purpose
calling. This frequency should be used whenever possible to relieve
congestion on Channel 16.
n
When the channel is quiet, press the Talk button and call the ship you wish
to call. (Hold the microphone a few inches from your face and speak directly into it in
a normal tone of voice — clearly and distinctly.) Say “[name
of station being called] THIS IS [your vessel’s name or call sign].”
n
Once contact is made on the calling channel, you must switch to a proper working
channel. See the channel listing on page 66 through 78.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols VHF Marine Radio Protocols
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