"Doug" wrote in message
link.net...

"Bruce in Alaska" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote:

I've never heard anyone ask for a radio check from the USCG. Usually
they
are asking for a response from anyone that can hear them.

Actually, it is REQUIRED during a SOLAS Inspection that a "Radio Check"
be preformed with the nearest USCG Station, and that it be "Logged" in
the Radio Station Log of the Vessel, for each piece of Gear aboard.

Also SOLAS Required vessels are also REQUIRED to Log one complete
Communication every 24 hours, while navigating.


Bruce in alaska who actually does SOLAS Inpsections on occasion.....
--
add a 2 before @

I don't recall right now where I read it a couple years ago, either in an
FCC or CG Publication, where they said it was illegal to contact the Coast
Guard on VHF FM for routine radio checks, with the exception being a
licensed commercial radio technician testing a ship's radio and he was to
indicate in the initial call or after the first response from the CG that
he
was a radio technician performing a check or adjustment. The local CG
Group in Portland, OR seems to vary their responses depending upon who is
on
watch, time of year (boating season or not), time of day, etc. Sometimes I
hear repeated calls for a CG radio check go unanswered, other times they
answer immediately and move to channel 22A, and other times when they
respond directing a move to a recreational boat channel for radio tests
as
channel 16 is a calling and distress channel. I have visited the Group
station several times and often there is only one person on watch,
covering
4 remote marine VHF FM radio sites along the Columbia River, plus HF SSB,
local marine police and fire boat channels. There is usually a rash of
"10-4
good buddy" or "anybody got a copy?" calls after Christmas presents are
hooked up or at the start of the seasonal recreational boating season.
Common sense would indicate a single CG operator may not be relied upon to
answer all calls for "radio checks", as he may be coordinating an actual
distress with helicopters, police, CG and/or fire boats on scene, plus
divers in the water on a frequency other than the local channel 16
coverage.
73 Doug K7ABX

The USCG radio operators in this area do not appear to be all that well
trained.
They stick to boiler-plate dialog such that it takes 5 minutes to
communicate
30 seconds worth of information. In terms of efficiency, hams have them
beat hands down.

Doug, k3qt
s/v CAllista

"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote in
:

The USCG radio operators in this area do not appear to be all that well
trained.
They stick to boiler-plate dialog such that it takes 5 minutes to
communicate
30 seconds worth of information. In terms of efficiency, hams have them
beat hands down.

Doug, k3qt
s/v CAllista


"What is the name of your vessel?"

(repeat 3-5 times)

"How many are aboard?"

(repeat 5 to 10 times)

"What color is your boat?"

("WHITE GELCOAT YOU IDIOT!")

(repeat 3 to 5 times)

"What is your hull number?"

("How should I know? My wallet is below, DROWNED IN SEAWATER and the hull
numbers are ALREADY UNDERWATER!")

(repeat at least twice....more if you sound ****ed.)

"Do you have USCG-approved PFDs aboard for each person?"

("No, we looked hard and found 8 with no tags, but they're floating,
fine.")

(no answer as batteries have flooded)

Problem solved......no report necessary.

("Coast Guard this is Sea Tow. I'm at the scene and will handle it.")

Too bad Sea Tow wasn't monitoring at 3AM or the Morning Dew's kids might
have LIVED! Every time I pass that spot on the Charleston jetties I can
hear that boy screaming from the CG tape.....