VHF-HF/SSB-AIS

Terry SparksCommander USN Retired

AgendaWhat Communications Systems are

Available?License RequirementsWhat Can I Expect when using the different

SystemsOperation of VHFUse of Portable VHF

AgendaBreak – 20 minutesDigital Selective Calling (DSC)Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)Automatic Identification System (AIS)Installation of VHF RadiosInstallation of AIS Receiver

What is AvailableVHF Marine Radio (Very High Frequency)VHF Hand Held RadiosHF/SSB Radio (High Frequency/ Single

Sideband)Cell PhoneAIS (Automated Information System)

Satellite Phone also available, but not part of training.

License RequirementsVHF Marine Radio – None US Operation Only

Since 1996 for recreational boatersIn US only communicating with other US

Boaters VHF Hand Held Radios – Same as aboveAIS – As required by VHF Radio

License RequirementsHF/SSB Radio

Ships License or Ham dependent on frequency use

Ships License and Call Sign covers EPIRB, Radar, HF, AIS, and VHF

Also requires Operator’s PermitCell Phone – None

Prospective of the HorizonHorizon in NM=

Distance to the horizon in Nautical Miles1.17 X square root Sum of heights

Height of Self + Height of other

So if you are both at 8 feet1.17 X SQRT(8 + 8)1.17 X 4= 4.68 NM

A 50 foot Mast at both locations = 11.7 NM

What Can I ExpectVHF Marine Radio

Line of site Communications Top of Mast to Radio Tower could be 40 milesBoat to Boat may only be 3-11 miles

VHF Hand Held Radios1-3 miles depending on your position and the contact

antenna height. HF/SSB Radio - Potentially Around the worldCell Phone – Similar to VHF to cell tower, then the

world.AIS – Similar to VHF,

But will work at very low signal levels (digital signal).

Why install a VHF Radio?Chances are:1.You do not have the Cell phone number of the

boat 100 yards away.2.You do not have the Cell phone number of the

Coast Guard.3.You do not have the Cell phone number of the

Ship headed your way.4.Your Cell phone will not work.

Volume Level

in Speake

r

Squelch Threshold to hear

16 Over-Ride

Push To Talk

Distress

Channel Select

Scan

DSC

Weather

Channel UseChannel 16

Emergency and Hailing Channel.“No” Radio Checks

Coast Guard: 22ACommercial Operations:

01, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 18, 19, 63, 67, 79, 80, and 88.

Safety: 06 Used for ship-to-ship

emergency comsCoast Guard S&R

Vessel-to-vessel navigational safety: 13 **

Noncommercial working channels:09, 68, 69, 71, 72, and 78

DSC – 70 Port operations:

01, 05, 12, 14, 63, 65, 66, 73, 74, and 77

Not for public use:15, 17, 21, 23, 81, 82, and

83

** 1W Power Only

Phonetic AlphabetAlphaBravoCharle

yDeltaEchoFoxtrotGolf

OscarPapaQuebecRomeoSierraTangoUnifor

m

HotelIndiaJulietKiloLimaMikeNovemb

er

VictorWhiskeyX-RayYankeeZulu

Radio Use1. Listen for anyone else using the channel

Make Sure the Squelch is not to high

2. Hail on Channel 16 to make contact (or use DSC)3. Then move to another channel (61, 63, 64, 68-72

and 78)

Radio Use When Contacting a Commercial vessel or Bridge,

Try calling on 13. (Vessel Bridge to Bridge) Vessel Traffic System – Commercial Ship routing in

Traffic Lanes. Channels 5, 11, 12, 14 Good to let them know you are there and where you

are going and scan for others being routed Marinas frequently use channel 68 as a contact

channel If you are talking to someone close, reduce power

Emergency Communications1. The boat is in grave and imminent

danger Distress (mayday)

Calls are used when the boat is in grave and imminent danger and in need of immediate help.

That means someone could die or vessel is sinking fast!

Rescue authorities can reasonably expect you to leave the yacht if a rescue boat or helicopter arrives. (No arguments)

Emergency Communications2. The boat or a crew member needs

urgent help Urgency (pan pan) Calls are used when the boat or a crew

member needs urgent help The boat is not in grave and imminent danger.

No one will die if help is slow The boat will not sink before help arrives

Emergency CommunicationsExample: On Channel 16

Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan, This is the vessel Lead Weight. We have a slow leak and the engine has failed. We are at Lat 47.234 Lon 126.234 drifting west

at a speed of approximately 1 knot. There are 4 people on board. All have life

Jackets on.Lead Weight is a brown vessel with white trim. Standing by on channel 16

Emergency Communications3. Safety (SECURITÉ)

securtité

Calls are used for navigation or weather warnings.

Pronounced – “say cure it tay”.

Example: On Channel 16Securite, Securite, Securite, There is a large log

floating under the water at Lat 47.234 Lon 126.234 drifting East at approximately 0.5 knots.

VHF Operation – Emergency Communications

1. Call on Channel 16

2. Listen for Clear Channel

3. Repeat: Mayday, Mayday, Mayday

4. Provide Call Sign (3 times) and Name of Vessel

5. Provide Position information – “Lat & Lon”

VHF Operation – Emergency Communications6. State the Nature of Problem – “Hit underwater Rock

Vessel sinking”

7. Number of People on board and Status – “4 People on Board, one unconscious”

8. Seaworthiness of Vessel – “Taking on Water”

9. Describe Vessel – “Cream Colored 45’Sloop”

10. Channel Monitoring – “Monitoring Channel 16”

11. Repeat until answered

Emergency Communications When Reporting a Mayday or Pan Pan:

1. Make Sure all have Life Jackets on2. Make sure someone is monitoring the radio3. Be Prepared with Position Reports4. Be Prepared to update Personnel Status5. For a Mayday, prepare to leave the boat.

Use of Portable VHFMay be used around the MarinaVHF Not for use in Town as a family radio

Family Radio Service (FRS) is an improved walkie talkie radio system authorized in the US 1996.

This personal radio service uses channelized frequencies in the (UHF) band.

US FRS radios may not be used in MX. Must buy similar radios in MX certified for MX.

Good to have in a Ditch Bag (with Extra Batteries)

Digital Selective Calling (DSC)DSC available on MF, HF and VHF DSC is primarily intended to initiate

radiotelephone calls. (Emergency and non-emergency)

DSC calls can also be made to individual stations, groups of stations, or "all stations" in one's reach.

DSC use requires an assigned/unique 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)

Distress

Digital Selective Calling (DSC)DSC radio - ability to send an automatic

"mayday" that identifies the vessel and location.Radio May also send information on Type of

IssueMust be set up with MMSI numberMust be tied to GPS position Data to be

effective

Digital Selective Calling (DSC)Allows contacting a friend via DSC without

hailing on channel 16Like using your cell phone.Private ship-to-ship calls to other vessels

equipped with DSC radio. If you know the MMSI number of the radio you

are calling only that vessel will receive you message.

DSC allows contacting of a Group /Club Privately

MMSI NumbersUnique nine (9) Digit FCC Identification

NumberLike your Telephone Number for RadiosIncluded with Ships License from FCCMay also be Obtained from Boat US and Sea

Tow

MMSI NumbersUS VHF Users Only

http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/http://www.seasmartvhf.com/

Those Who Travel/Communicate Outside the U.S.http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?

job=licensing&id=ship_stations Must apply to the Federal Communications

Commission for a ship station license. Ships License includes an MMSI Also need Operators Permit Installation of Marine SSB requires Ships License

AISDigital Communication of Ships informationTransmitted on VHF Radio FrequenciesChannels 87 and 88B

AIS ClassesClass A Marine AIS - Large

commercial vessels, is the full specification. May See Class B also

AIS ClassesClass B Marine AIS Lighter

commercial and leisure vessels.

Must have assigned MMIS

Raymarine AIS 500

West Marine AIS 1000

AIS ClassesReceive (Rx) Monitors the AIS network

Both Class A and Class B Receives positional data reports for on-screen

display. Dual Channel reads both frequencies at the

same time.Single Channel, reads one channel then the

other Slower to get all the data Costs less

Stand-Alone AIS

Graphical heading-up situation display shows all targets and nav aids within the selected range. Dangerous or lost targets are indicated.

Pop-up information box shows details for selected target.

 

Unique CPA plot shows whether target will pass ahead or astern. Helps you determine the best collision avoidance strategy.

AIS Type InformationName of VesselCall SignMMSIDraughtLengthBeamPosition

Lat & Lon Heading

COGSOGCPA

Bearing and RangeTCPADestinationETAStatusVessel Type

Installation of VHFSelect a location you can use when driving

the boatThe Speaker has a magnet in it so be careful

of interaction with compassMake sure the radio is waterproof if in

cockpitAn in-line fuse to the radio should be used.

Tap off Breaker feeding Cockpit with heavy wire if long run

Installation of VHFAntenna should be as high as possible

Max range is proportional to the Antenna’s Height.

Your height plus the height of the other station

NMEA 0183 from GPS (NEMA Out Connection)Provides position data to radio for DSC

If two radios are used An antenna switch must be usedOr two Antennas must be installed

RG58/RG8/

RG213

+

-

12VDC

In-line fuse

NMEA 0183From GPSFor position

Installation of VHF - IssuesHum in the radio can occur when charger is

onPoor filtering on charger (Goes away with

Charger off)Can add a large capacitor at point of

connection to 12V power.Poor connection to antenna can result in

Minimal received signalNo transmitted signalBurning out radio output amplifier

Installation of VHF - IssuesSpeaker too close to Compass

Compass will mot read properlyLong power run to radio with to small of

wirePoor radio operation as battery voltage

decreases No static out of radio with squelch low

Microphone is keyedStatic out of radio

Turn squelch control up to quiet radio

Installation of AIS ReceiverStand-Alone Units

Have own displayProvides relative position data of Class A&B

AIS.Specific Requirements should be listed in

Vendor Installation Vendors Include:

Furuno AIS FA150 VESPER Marine AISWatchMate

Installation of AIS ReceiverIntegrated Receiver and GPS Display

Components Antenna AIS Receiver Connection to Graphical Display or PC

Many Vendors of single and dual Channel Receivers

AIS units use a default baud rate of 38400 Can connect to NEMA in on Multifunction Display Can be wired to connect to a 9 pin RS232

Can then adapt to a USB Port

Installation of AIS Receiver

To Keep you Safe at Sea!West Marine AIS 1000