Seems like we've had a few posts from beginning boaters lately.

The old pros won't benefit much from this thread, but maybe one of the
newcomers might pick up a point or two about VHF use.

(Note, this was written for an audience in a CG district where Channel 16 is
still the primary hailing and distress frequency. YMMV depending on locale with
respect to the use of 16 vs. 9 for hailing and distress)

VHF Protocol

VHF radio is one of the most important systems aboard many boats. It is the
primary means of communication for vessels cruising inland or coastal waters.
Recent advances in technology have provided us with DSC (digital select
calling), as well as more compact and easily operated equipment. Digital
circuitry and microprocessors may have spawned advances in radio hardware, but
human nature all-too-often remains stuck in the Stone Age.

The finest equipment is difficult to enjoy if it is misused, or if it
broadcasts annoying misuse by the careless or clueless. On a busy summer
weekend, our VHF frequencies can begin to sound like out takes from "Smokey and
the Bandit."

Recently overheard on VHF 16:
"Hey, Nick! You out there yet this morning? Have you got your ears on yet? This
is Alex, come back!"

"Yo, Alex, this is Nick. Hope you got some extra beer. We decided not to stop
for gas. What's your 20 to Point No Point? We've seen a few nice fish landed
already this morning. Looks like green hoochie skirts are working today. Come
back!"

A third voice interrupts, "Hey you jerks, get off 16! Don't you know how to use
your radio?"

And so it goes. Sigh.

The FTC eliminated license requirements for most pleasure boaters who do not
transmit VHF broadcasts that can be received in foreign waters, but the rules
for proper usage have not been relaxed. There are several reasons why proper
etiquette and vocabulary should be observed on the VHF. Foreign vessels in our
waters have radio personnel who may not be fluent in English, but are trained
to recognize certain keywords and phrases.
Misuse of emergency and hailing frequencies might "step on" genuine emergency
traffic.
Shared resources, like the VHF frequencies, are more easily used if all users
can maintain certain expectations for the behavior and procedures of other
users.

A short overview for newcomers, or a refresher course for any veteran boaters
at risk for becoming sloppy:

Thou Shalt:

1. Use the proper frequency. Channel 16 is for hailing and distress only and
conversation must move to a designated recreational frequency such as 09,
68,69, 71, 72, or 78.
2. Limit unanswered hailing calls. Regulations allow up to three hailing
attempts, but two minutes must elapse between unanswered hailing calls to a
given station. After three unanswered calls in a six-minute time frame, the
caller must wait fifteen minutes before attempting to hail the station again.
3. Hail other stations by vessel name, repeated up to three times, followed the
by name of your own vessel.
4. Suggest a working channel when the hailed station responds. Experienced
operators will have checked for traffic on the intended working channel before
hailing on 16 and be somewhat more confident that the frequency is available.
5. Avoid the use of 16 when the Coast Guard is resolving an emergency
situation.
6. Perform radio checks on working channels. Most marinas monitor a designated
frequency. Calling the marina as you are putting out to sea is a timely and
effective method for determining whether a radio a sending and receiving.
7. Limit the use of the radio to topics pertaining to "ship's business."
Inquiring about the price of fuel at a dock, confirming a rendezvous, arranging
a passing or meeting situation, or making moorage arrangements are examples of
legitimate VHF use. A discussion of last night's baseball game or general small
talk would be more appropriately conducted on a cellular phone.
8. Maintain a radio watch underway.


Thou Shalt Not:

1. Broadcast a phony distress call.
2. Broadcast music.
3. Broadcast calls to unidentified stations. ("Hey, Jerk! Thanks for the
monster wake!" falls into this category.)
4. Use obscene of profane language. ("Hey, blankety-blank Jerk! Thanks for the
(expletive deleted) wake!" falls into this category.)
5. Allow anyone to use the VHF without permission.
6. Sign off without permission if you become involved in a Coast Guard SAR
situation.
7. Broadcast commercial messages, or general announcements without expectation
of a reply. ("Gary's Fish and Chips on the Local Wharf serves all-you-can-eat
every Friday!")
8. Broadcast CB jargon.


VHF Vocabulary:

The International Maritime Organization has established the following
internationally recognized words and phrases to assist radio operators by
establishing standardized procedures and confirming the successful transmission
of messages:

Acknowledge: A request for the receiving station to indicate a message has
been received.

Correction: The broadcast message contains an error. The broadcast will begin
again from the last correct point before the error occurred.

Disregard: The entire broadcast was made in error.

I say again: The broadcaster will repeat all or a portion of the message.

I spell: The broadcaster will spell the following word or phrase.

In Figures: The next portion of the broadcast will consist of numbers.

Mayday: Repeated three times, indicates a broadcast request for assistance in a
situation presenting a grave and imminent threat to life, safety, or property.

Out: The conversation has ended.

Over: The last statement is complete, the other station is now invited to
reply.

Pan Pan: Pronounced "pawn," and repeated three times, indicates a broadcast
advising of a condition which may be hazardous to navigation or requesting
assistance in a situation not deemed to present a grave and imminent danger.

Roger: Message received and understood.

Say again: Please repeat your transmission.

Say again before (or after)...: Please repeat your transmission prior to or
following the indicated phrase or word.

Wilco: I will comply with your message.


The Phonetic Alphabet and Numerals:

When reception is weak or a critical word might be confused with a
similar-sounding word, the phonetic alphabet can be used to assure that the
message recipient understands the broadcaster's intent.

The following words would be used after the phrase, "I spell".

A: Alpha
B: Bravo
C: Charlie
D: Delta
E: Echo
F: Foxtrot
G: Golf
H: Hotel
I: India
J: Juliet
K: Kilo
L: Lima
M: Mike
N: November
O: Oscar
P: Papa
Q: Quebec
R: Romeo
S: Sierra
T: Tango
U: Uniform
V: Victor
W: Whiskey
X: X-ray
Y: Yankee
Z: Zulu

Example: "The passenger's name is Kathy Greene. I spell Kilo, Alpha, Tango,
Hotel, Yankee. I spell Golf, Romeo, Echo, Echo, November, Echo."



To avoid numeric confusion, the following pronunciations should be used.

Zee-row
Wun
Tu
Tree
Fo-wer
Fife
Six
Sev-en
Ate
Nighner


Example. "Roger, proceeding to slip number Delta Wun Nighner."