"Gary" wrote in message
news:KSSxg.247001$IK3.35406@pd7tw1no...
Roger Long wrote:
I just bought a Quest GX 1255S, not because I plan to start yacking at
vessels that don't give way (see other threads) but so I'll have
something with more range than the handheld when I cruise downeast in a
couple weeks.

The instructions say to have the standing wave etc. checked out by a
radio technician after installation. Is this just CYA by the
manufacturer or is it a must do? I suspect it will cost nearly as much
as the radio the way these things go and I've got a couple weeks to try
and raise some distant boats to check the range.

The coax running through my cabin and up the mast is pretty old but the
antenna and loading coil(?) at the top are brand new.

Would somebody please refresh my memory on the proper procedure for a
radio check? I think I remember most of the other stuff.

Is there a good on-line site describing marine radio procedures?

Just don't do it on 16. Here on the west coast the Coast Guard will do
one for you on 22a.

Gary

A radio check on 22a? First of all, calling the CG for a radio check won't
tell you much, since they can receive very poor signals. Second, 22a is
reserved for when the CG needs more information from a boater when it's not
an emergency. Typically, any other channel besides 16 is allowed. I believe
they prefer 9.

Capt. JG wrote:
"Gary" wrote in message
news:KSSxg.247001$IK3.35406@pd7tw1no...

Roger Long wrote:

I just bought a Quest GX 1255S, not because I plan to start yacking at
vessels that don't give way (see other threads) but so I'll have
something with more range than the handheld when I cruise downeast in a
couple weeks.

The instructions say to have the standing wave etc. checked out by a
radio technician after installation. Is this just CYA by the
manufacturer or is it a must do? I suspect it will cost nearly as much
as the radio the way these things go and I've got a couple weeks to try
and raise some distant boats to check the range.

The coax running through my cabin and up the mast is pretty old but the
antenna and loading coil(?) at the top are brand new.

Would somebody please refresh my memory on the proper procedure for a
radio check? I think I remember most of the other stuff.

Is there a good on-line site describing marine radio procedures?


Just don't do it on 16. Here on the west coast the Coast Guard will do
one for you on 22a.

Gary


A radio check on 22a? First of all, calling the CG for a radio check won't
tell you much, since they can receive very poor signals. Second, 22a is
reserved for when the CG needs more information from a boater when it's not
an emergency. Typically, any other channel besides 16 is allowed. I believe
they prefer 9.



Like I said, here the Coast Guard tell you to call on 22a. It may be
different where you are. The advantage of a Coast Guard radio check is
the can check your signal on a variety of repeaters and tell you how far
you are going. They can even DF you! Receiving poor signals may be
neccessary if your radio isn't working properly, and they'll tell you
that too.

"Gary" wrote in message
news:BxWxg.248882$IK3.66723@pd7tw1no...
Capt. JG wrote:
"Gary" wrote in message
news:KSSxg.247001$IK3.35406@pd7tw1no...

Roger Long wrote:

I just bought a Quest GX 1255S, not because I plan to start yacking at
vessels that don't give way (see other threads) but so I'll have
something with more range than the handheld when I cruise downeast in a
couple weeks.

The instructions say to have the standing wave etc. checked out by a
radio technician after installation. Is this just CYA by the
manufacturer or is it a must do? I suspect it will cost nearly as much
as the radio the way these things go and I've got a couple weeks to try
and raise some distant boats to check the range.

The coax running through my cabin and up the mast is pretty old but the
antenna and loading coil(?) at the top are brand new.

Would somebody please refresh my memory on the proper procedure for a
radio check? I think I remember most of the other stuff.

Is there a good on-line site describing marine radio procedures?


Just don't do it on 16. Here on the west coast the Coast Guard will do
one for you on 22a.

Gary


A radio check on 22a? First of all, calling the CG for a radio check
won't tell you much, since they can receive very poor signals. Second,
22a is reserved for when the CG needs more information from a boater when
it's not an emergency. Typically, any other channel besides 16 is
allowed. I believe they prefer 9.



Like I said, here the Coast Guard tell you to call on 22a. It may be
different where you are. The advantage of a Coast Guard radio check is
the can check your signal on a variety of repeaters and tell you how far
you are going. They can even DF you! Receiving poor signals may be
neccessary if your radio isn't working properly, and they'll tell you that
too.

Here? I sail in the SF area. They don't like being hailed for radio checks,
and you can't hail on 22a.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

On Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:14:14 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

Here? I sail in the SF area. They don't like being hailed for radio checks,
and you can't hail on 22a.

A popular radio check strategy around here is to call SeaTow on
channel 16, switch to a working channel, and ask for a signal report.

They seem to be OK with it, and it is a legit use of 16.

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:14:14 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

Here? I sail in the SF area. They don't like being hailed for radio
checks,
and you can't hail on 22a.

A popular radio check strategy around here is to call SeaTow on
channel 16, switch to a working channel, and ask for a signal report.

They seem to be OK with it, and it is a legit use of 16.

I agree... calling SeaTow is a reasonable thing to do. If nothing else, free
advertising for them. :-)

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

In article BxWxg.248882$IK3.66723@pd7tw1no,
Gary wrote:

Like I said, here the Coast Guard tell you to call on 22a. It may be
different where you are. The advantage of a Coast Guard radio check is
the can check your signal on a variety of repeaters and tell you how far
you are going. They can even DF you! Receiving poor signals may be
neccessary if your radio isn't working properly, and they'll tell you
that too.

Bzzzt, Wrong Information..... Maybe the Canadian Coast Guard can do what
you say, but the USCG is about 10 years behind in DCS and Vhf DF
Deployment, and do NOT have that capability on most of the US Coastline.
Yes, they do have a good VHF HighSite Deployment but these are not DCS
or DF Capable, for the most part, and will not be for a few more years.
The congress wants the USCG to be watching for Terrorists not answering
Distress Calls from Idiot Yatchmen.