1. 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: http://www.usps.org/national/eddept/cp/main.htm Please check the site in order to have the best available materials.

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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 email  WiFi Marinas and public facilities  Enables user to obtain email, weather and local information  Can be used by Smartphones, tablets, and smartphones Becoming more available Valuable for the inland boater Slide 12

13. Slide 13 Questions ? … Comments