Know Your Radio At Rqys

[Drop Bear]

Hey.

Just saw this. I will be going. I dont know email address. 

Marine Radio Moreton Bay VZ4RQ
Are starting off the New Year with their first Know Your Marine Radio information night on Thursday night the 7th February.
The night will start at 7pm in the auditorium at the RQYS and will go for about 2hours. Participants will have the opportunity to make a scripted call using marine radio and will find out all you need to know about using a marine radio in our area and beyond.
Course notes will be provided and should you require a marine radio license you can gain assistance with that also.
You can book a place on the course by contacting Jack on this email address or by calling mob 0419675180

[kmcrosby78]

Sounds great Robbie, thanks for posting. I doubt I'll make this one (work is too hectic ATM) but I'll keep an eye out for another one and pick your brain on what it was like.

[lurez]

For anyone in Sydney, Marine Rescue NSW runs these as well. Have a look at their calendar to see dates for anyone in sydney  wanting to do a radio course: https://calendar.marinerescuensw.com.au/external

Here is some info I found that was good so have put it below for others.

Marine Radio

A marine radio is one of the most important pieces of equipment you can carry on board but it's of little use to you if you don't know how to use it to call for help in an emergency or other mishap. Marine Rescue units run a program of courses each year aimed at teaching members of the boating community how to use their marine radios correctly and appropriately.

Before choosing the right course for your needs, it will be helpful to have an understanding of the regulations applying to marine radios and which require you to have a qualification to operate and a licence to own.

The Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP) and Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP)courses are based on ACMA requirements.

The LROCP course will enable participants to operate VHF, MF and HF marine radios for enclosed, inshore and international offshore cruising. Course participants will gain:

• the ability to use correct marine radio operating procedures, in particular those relating to distress, urgency and safety messages for VHF including DSC (Digital Selective Calling) and MF/HF (Medium Frequency and High Frequency); and 
• an understanding of the operation and controls of typical marine radio equipment; simple maintenance practices; and the regulations applicable to ship radio systems.

The SROCP course participants will gain:

• the ability to use correct marine radio operating procedures when using 27Mhz and VHF, including DSC; and
• an understanding of the operation and controls of typical marine radio equipment; simple maintenance practices; and the regulations applicable to ship radio systems.

Some Marine Rescue units also run 27MHz radio familiarisation courses to help boat owners optimise the use of these radios.

 

They also have a pretty good page to help you brush up:

https://www.marinerescuensw.com.au/boating-safety/using-your-marine-radio

Always keep your marine radio on the ‘Distress, Safety and Calling’channel.  On VHF sets this is Ch 16 and on 27MHz radios, it is Ch 88. Because of prevailing conditions you may be the only ship station that picks up an emergency call from another boat. Many radios allow you to set up a dual watch or scan mode to also monitor other channels, such as a local repeater, or a ship-to-ship channel. See radio courses for more information on the effective use of these modes.

If you need information or assistance while you’re out on the water, use the appropriate ‘Distress, Safety and Calling’ channel to call your local Marine Rescue radio base.  You will then be asked to go to a “Working” channel.  The Duty Operator will advise which channel to change to.

Be sure to listen for any other radio traffic before making your call, otherwise you might not be heard or you could interrupt another user’s transmission.  Speak slowly and clearly.

When making an initial call, state the call sign of the Marine Rescue radio base you are calling three times and your own call sign three times.  This is to help ensure the coast station knows you are calling them and who you are. Marine Rescue NSW call signs and listed on the find a unit map For example, if you make a call on VHF Ch16:

You:  “Marine Rescue Sydney, Marine Rescue Sydney, Marine Rescue Sydney.  This is (name of your boat) Firecracker, Firecracker, Firecracker. Over”

The Marine Rescue shore station will respond and ask you to go to a "Working’’ channel.

MR Sydney:    “Firecracker, Firecracker, Firecracker.  This is Marine Rescue Sydney, Marine Rescue Sydney, Marine Rescue Sydney.  Please go to seven three. Over”

You:     “Marine Rescue Sydney, this is Firecracker. Going to seven three. Over”

Now change your radio channel to 73 and call the shore station again.

You:     “Marine Rescue Sydney, this is Firecracker. Over”

When the Marine Rescue shore station replies, seek the information you want or advise your plans.  When your communications are complete, advise the shore station that you’re returning to the calling channel:

You:     “Thanks Marine Rescue Sydney.  This is Firecracker returning to 16. Out” 

The shore station will respond:

MR Sydney:    “This is Marine Rescue Sydney.  Out.”

Now switch your marine radio back to 16VHF radio, or channel 88 on a 27mHz radio, leave the radio on and get back to enjoying your day out.

Remember, calls on marine radios are not private conversations so courtesy, good manners and appropriate language are essential.

This open communication is a major advantage if you’re in trouble as other boaters are likely to hear you and can come to your assistance if they are nearby on the water.  This is why you should always use your marine radio first to call for help in an emergency.

In an emergency, use your mobile phone to call 000 as well as radioing for help. But don’t bet your life on your mobile as your only means of communication.  Only you and the person you’re calling can hear you and in an urgent situation this could cost precious time reaching someone who is ready to help.

Marine Radio Repeaters protocol

VHF Marine Radio Repeaters have been installed in some areas.  These help channel communications over a larger area and can have a range of up to 50 nautical miles to sea. Training courses for the Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP) or Long Range Operator certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) explain the operation of VHF repeaters, how and when they should be used and when NOT to use them.

Marine repeaters are installed purely to enhance safety at sea. Radio traffic through the repeaters must only be of a “safety communications” nature, such as radio checking, position reporting, offshore transit progress, weather observations and forecasts, Log On and Log Off messages and emergency traffic.

Repeaters should only be used once contact with a shore-based station is made and vessels are instructed to change to a repeater channel.

Repeaters MUST NOT be used as “chatter channels”, as this can interrupt urgent safety message handling and is illegal under the ACMA legislation.

It is good boating practice to teach these basic principles of marine radio to others who go boating with you.  Better still, encourage them to enrol with you in a SROCP or LROCP  course.