2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Communications
Station Identification or station does not reply, the call cannot
Vessels and stations must identify them-
be repeated until after an interval of two
selves at the beginning of each exchange of
minutes. If three calls are so made, and no
transmissions with another station. If the
reply is received, calling cannot resume for15
communications with another station extend
minutes. If there is reason to believe that no
more than 15 minutes, station identification
harmful interference to other communica-
must be given every 15 minutes.
tions will be caused, this interval may be
Identification should be made with the sta-
reduced to three minutes. These limitations
tion or boat’s call sign, if applicable. On VHF,
do not apply to emergency communications
use the boat’s name.
involving safety.
Under normal conditions, it is not neces-
Transmissions on Channel 16 and 2182
sary to use phonetic equivalents for the let-
kHz must not exceed one minute, except for
ters of a call sign. If phonetics are used, they
distress communications. All commercial
should follow the standard international
communications must be limited to the min-
phonetic alphabet, listed on page 831.
imum practicable transmission time. There
is no regulatory limit on noncommercial
Test Transmissions and Radio Checks
communications, but common sense would
A test transmission is a one-way transmis-
indicate that they, too, be limited to the
sion to observe the operation of the equip-
minimum practicable time. In ship-to-shore
ment, while a radio check is a request for a
communications with private coast stations,
response from another station.
a station on board a vessel must comply with
The prescribed procedure for a test trans-
instructions given by the shore station.
mission is to announce “test,” followed by
Secrecy of Communications
station identification. If any station responds
with “wait,” any further transmission must be
It’s illegal to divulge information gained
delayed for at least 30 seconds. Then “test” and
from receiving or intercepting radio trans-
identification can be repeated and, barring an
missions not addressed to you. It’s also illegal
objection, the test can continue. Test trans-
to use that information for your own benefit.
missions should consist of number counts
In other words, it’s hypothetically illegal for
or phrases that do not conflict with normal
you to listen to other boats talking about
operating procedures. Test signals must not
where the fish are biting and then go there to
continue for more than 10 seconds and cannot
fish! The secrecy laws do not apply to distress
be repeated until after one minute has elapsed.
communications or broadcasts for the gen-
Radio checks are requests for signal reports
eral use of the public, but they do apply to all
from another station, and are grossly overused.
other transmissions and conversations heard
Marine radios are highly reliable, and if a unit
on the air.
worked properly the last time it was used, it is
Despite these laws, common sense dictates
extremely likely that it is still working.
that you not divulge anything over the radio
Although the rules allow radio checks on
that you’d want to keep secret.
Channel 16 or 2182 kHz, it’s best to conduct
Radio Licensing
them on another working channel. The easi-
A U.S. federal ship station license is re-
est way is to listen on a working channel and
quired to operate an single-sideband (SSB)
call a station overheard there for your signal
radio on board any boat or ship. No license
report. If you do request a check on VHF 16
is required to operate VHF radio on most
or 2182, the rules require that there be a shift
recreational boats; however, special registra-
to a working channel for the actual exchange
tions are required for DSC-enabled VHF
of information on signal readability and lo-
radios (see below).
cation. The Coast Guard will not respond to
Additionally, to use an SSB or VHF inter-
radio checks from the general public.
nationally, you must have either a Marine
Do not interfere with communications in
Radio Operator’s Permit or a Limited Radio-
progress in order to test transmission or re-
telephone Operator’s License. Operation of
quest a radio check.
“ham” radios require a different license (see
Time Limitations
page 827). EPIRBs, which use radio signals to
Hails to a specific station must not con-
communicate, must also be registered.
tinue for more than 30 seconds. If the boat
816