Cruise Planning and Cruising Course Chapter 8 Communications United States Power Squadrons ® Instructors and Students Please Note: Post-release corrections, notes, and updates are posted at: Please check the site in order to have the best available materials.

Slide 2 Summary  VHF Radio  MF/HF Radio  Watches  Satellite systems  Marine safety information  Cell phones and Wifi

Introduction  Not a technical course on communications; limited to cruising-related information  Inland and coastal cruisers have many options  VHF radio remains an important tool  MF and HF are useful for coastal cruisers  EPIRB important for coastal cruiser  Cell phone and WiFi technology excellent for the inland cruiser Slide 3

VHF Radio  For distress communications, there is no substitute (inland and near coastal)  Communications Other nearby vessels Commercial vessels Bridge tenders  Marine information Weather Coast Guard reports Slide 4

VHF Radio  Equipment Hand-held and fixed mount In-harbor use low power = 1 watt Cruising use high power = 25 watts Line of sight, estimated 10 miles range Digital Selective Calling (DSC)  Calling Procedures Use low power to initiate contact with other vessels nearby Use high power for distress and in open water Monitor channels 16 and 9 Slide 5

VHF Radio After initial contact, change to 68, 69, 71 or 72 for discussion Use channel 13 to contact bridge tenders and for commercial vessel contact  Modes Radiotelephone  Either transmit or receive; not both DSC sends digital signal  Important to register MMSI number Slide 6

MF/HF Radio  Equipment Single side band radiotelephone 60 watts = low power 150 watts = high power Greater range than VHF For the coastal cruiser over 20 miles offshore DSC also available  Calling procedures Same as VHF Coast Guard monitors specific frequencies depending on your area Slide 7

MF/HF Radio  Licensing Ship Station License required Restricted Radiotelephone Operator’s Permit for at least one member of the crew FCC administers program Slide 8

Watches  VHF radio If your boat is equipped then:  Turned on  Monitor channel 16 Select dual watch with channels 16 and 9 Channel 70 for DSC  MF/HF radio Radio on Monitor DSC channel or MF 2182 kHz Slide 9

Satellite Systems  Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) Manually activated (Category II) Automatically activated (Category I) Check battery expiration date Decal must be renewed every two years Slide 10

Marine Safety Information  VHF radio Weather on weather channels WX1-7  MF/HF radio Designated HF frequencies (see list in manual) US Coast Guard stations also broadcast safety information on designated local frequencies Consult cruising guides for more information Slide 11

Cell/Smartphones and WiFi  Cell/Smartphones Short range approximately 3-10 miles from cell towers Point to point communication Should NOT be used for distress Valuable to the inland boater  Access marine safety and local information  Access  WiFi Marinas and public facilities  Enables user to obtain , weather and local information  Can be used by Smartphones, tablets, and smartphones Becoming more available Valuable for the inland boater Slide 12

Slide 13 Questions ? … Comments