Full Description
This is the first complete, hands-on VHF guide for recreational boaters. The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) represents a complete overhaul of marine communications, which hadn't changed much since the Morse code system was instituted after the Titanic sank in 1912. VHF analog radio has long been essential for two-way communcation between boats or between a boat and a shore station within line-of-sight distance of one another. But GMDSS uses VHF radios fitted with digital selective calling (DSC), which allows automated radio calls. A VHF-DSC radio can selectively call another digital radio by call number, just as a telephone does, and in the case of distress, urgency, and safety calls, all vessels and coast stations within receiving distance are alerted; once programmed, the DSC radio will broadcast and repeat your digital ID, your position, and a Mayday message to rescue personnel. Endorsed by the U.S. Coast Guard and written by a VHF-DSC radio trainer, "A Boater's Guide to VHF and GMDSS" is a user-friendly guide that gets recreational boaters quickly up to speed on using both analog and digital VHF radiotelephones.Think of it as your on-call radio resource, with step-by-step instructions, illustrations of what the radio displays will look like, and sample transmissions. Sue Fletcher's straightforward explanations are accompanied by highlighted tips, guides to radio 'Geek-Speak', and a Quick Reference chart, so you'll easily master what you need to know about Selecting and setting up a DSC or analog VHF system VHF radio protocol, including radio regulations, transmission etiquette, and channel allocation Using and getting the most out of your radio, including calls, weather, and port operations. A full explanation of GMDSS, including equipment requirements, EPIRBs, SARTs, and Navtex. 'The U.S. GMDSS Task Force is pleased to endorse "A Boater's Guide to VHF and GMDSS" as a valuable aid throughout North America, especially for small-vessel operators, both to support the recommended training and for self-study purposes. It is important that all mariners understand the GMDSS' - from the foreword by Captain Jack Fuechsel, USCG (Retired), Director, U.S. GMDSS Task Force.
Contents
Foreword by Captain Jack FuechselIntroductionAbout This BookAcknowledgmentsPart 1. Your VHF RadioChapter 1. Overview of the VHF-DSC SystemWhy Digital Selective Calling? How Long before I Need to Buy a New Radio? Benefits of Using DSCChapter 2. Non-DSC VHF RadiosChapter 3. Portable RadiosChapter 4. VHF-DSC RadiosEquipment ClassesVHF-DSC Radio Controls and FunctionsMaritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) NumbersHow to Get an MMSI NumberRadio Buyer's ClinicChapter 5. Radio InstallationWhere to Situate the RadioAntennaRadio SignalEmergency AntennasTesting the RadioChapter 6. Setting Up the DSC-Equipped RadioProgramming the DirectoryManual Position and TimeEntering a Group MMSI NumberSelf-Test Feature (if Fitted) Chapter 7. The BatteriesSmall, Internal BatteriesShip's BatteryBattery CareChapter 8. VHF Marine Radio ChannelsChannel NumberingSingle- and Dual-Frequency Channels and Half-Duplex CommunciationsCapture EffectGMDSS VHF Channel UsagePart 2. VHF Radio ProtocolChapter 9. Standard ProcedureLanguage RequirementPosition, Course, Distance, and SpeedGeographical NamesTimePhonetic AlphabetPhonetic NumeralsProcedure WordsTransmitting Rules: The Radio CreedMicrophone SkillsChapter 10. Calling EtiquetteCalling ChannelsInitial CallsWho Chooses the Working Channel? WatchkeepingGarbled CallsUnanswered CallsCall PlannerPart 3. Using Your VHF RadioChapter 11. DistressDistress Alerting by DSCDistress MenuThe Distress Call and MessageDesignated Distress Alert and Mayday MessageMayday Procedure CardAcknowledging Distress from a Ship StationDistress RelayDistress SignalsMayday RelayCH16 Communications ControlDirection FindingCanceling a False Distress AlertChapter 12. Urgency TrafficUrgency Alerting by DSCPan-Pan Message for DSC and Non-DSC RadiosUrgent Medical AdviceReceiving an Urgency MessageChapter 13. Safety TrafficSending Safety AlertsSafety Alerts by Ship Stations: Passing a Safety Message to the Coast GuardReceiving a Safety MessageChapter 14. Calling Another VesselIntership ChannelsCollision AvoidanceCommunications on BoardIntership CallsChapter 15. Calling the Coast GuardCoast Guard ServicesWeather and Safety InformationFloat PlansDirection FindingRoutine Calls to the Coast GuardChapter 16. Weather InformationWeather-Wise BoatingWhere to Find Weather ForecastsChapter 17. Making a Phone CallCoast Radio StationsPhone Calls Step-by-StepChapter 18. VHF Radio versus Cellular PhonesCell Phones on BoatsChapter 19. Port Operations and MarinasChapter 20. Marine Radio Legal Requirements in the United States and CanadaUnited StatesCanadaPart 4. The Global Maritime Distress and Safety SystemChapter 21. What Is the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System?Chapter 22. Other GMDSS EquipmentEPIRBsSearch-and-Rescue Transponders (SARTs)Navtex SystemsChapter 23. The Last Word: TrainingPart 5. Appendices1. U.S. Maritime VHF Bandplan2. Canadian Maritime VHF Bandplan3. International Maritime VHF Bandplan4. U.S. Coast Guard Weather Broadcast Schedule5. Maritel Coast Radio Station Channels6. U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard MMSI Numbers7. Contact Information8. Glossary9. Making the Call: Quick ReferenceIndexNER(01): WOW
