2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Communications
VHF Radio
A commercial transport vessel is one that
is used primarily in commerce for transport-
VHF radio range is normally limited to
ing persons or goods to or from harbors, or
about 15-20 miles, sometimes less. Antenna
within such port areas. Such a vessel may
height can be more of a determining factor
also be used in connection with the con-
than transmitter strength. For this reason,
struction, maintenance, loading and unload-
operators of sailboats with masthead anten-
ing, moving, or salvage of other vessels, and
nas and shore stations often enjoy greater
related activities.
range than powerboats.
Commercial communications are those
VHF marine radios operate in the frequen-
between stations on commercial transport
cy band of 156-163 MHz. Within this band
vessels, or between shore stations and sta-
are numerous channels spaced 25 kHz apart,
tions on commercial transport vessels. They
numbered from 1 to 28, and 60 through 88.
must relate to the purposes for which the ves-
Each channel has a designated frequency, or
sel is being used, including piloting, move-
pair of frequencies, but in everyday use only
ment and obtaining supplies and repairs.
the channel number is used, with no refer-
Noncommercial communications are
ence to the megahertz value.
those between stations on other than com-
Some channels that have an international
mercial transport vessels, or between shore
assignment of a pair of frequencies for duplex
stations and stations on vessels other than
operation are used in the United States for
commercial transport vessels; these com-
simplex communications; here, only the lower
munications must pertain to the needs of the
of the two frequencies is used and an “A” is ap-
vessel. Note that this “other than” category
pended to the channel number. For example,
includes recreational boats, which are not
157.100 MHz is the lower of the two frequen-
recognized as a named category.
cies of international Channel 22; in the U.S.
Port operations communications include
it is called 22A, or 22 Alpha, and is used as a
communications in or near a port, in water-
simplex channel for communications between
ways, or at locks relating to the operational
boats and the Coast Guard. VHF radios will
handling, movement, and safety of ships; and
have a switch or other means of changing be-
in an emergency, to the safety of persons.
tween “Int.” and “U.S.” (when in U.S. waters,
Safety communications covers the trans-
be sure that this switch is set on “U.S.”).
mission and receipt of distress, alarm, ur-
There is no license required to own and
gent, or safety signals, and related messages
operate a VHF radio in the U.S., and the
that, if delayed, might adversely affect the
airwaves can often seem unruly and unregu-
safety of life or property.
lated. Most of this abuse comes from small
Channel Assignments
boat owners who have not learned the rules
and protocols associated with VHF radios.
Specific uses are assigned to each channel. A
Although there is little enforcement of VHF
complete list of channels and uses are shown
radio rules, the channels all have designated
on the VHF Channels table on page 820.
uses, and there are restrictions on the types of
Below are the most important channels for
communication that can take place. VHF is
recreational boaters and yachtsmen to know.
not an open chat forum and, regardless of the
Channel 16 is for distress and safety com-
channel, all communication is supposed to be
munications, making it the most important
restricted to serving the needs of the vessel.
channel in the VHF spectrum. It is also used
for general calling and replies, including the
Channel Definitions
initial contact between two stations (except
Each VHF channel is designated for a
in areas where the Channel 9 is used for this
specific use by the FCC. It’s important to
purpose). Because this channel is employed
understand the definitions the government
for initial contacts, the maximum number
gives to various uses and vessel types before
of persons, on vessels and on shore, are lis-
choosing a channel. The FCC doesn’t recog-
tening on the frequency that carries distress
nize yachts or other recreational boats as a
calls. Channel 16 should never be used for
particular named category of vessel, so most
routine conversations, no matter how brief.
yacht communications on VHF are relegated
If you call the Coast Guard on this channel,
to channels not specifically designated for
you’ll usually be asked to switch to 22A.
commercial traffic.
818