Transcript Marine VHF Radio - Road Transport Operator Division

Marine VHF Radio
Course to prepare for
Restricted Certificate of Competency
Supplied courtesy of
Ger Keeling
Course Objectives
• To give a brief introduction to the basic principles
of radio.
• To relate these to Marine VHF Radio use
• To acquaint participants with procedural and
general radio conversation
• To give an understanding of the use of radio for
safety of life at sea
• To prepare participants for the Department of
Communications examination for the award of a
Restricted Certificate of Competence (VHF only)
Marine Radio
• Radio offered the only option for communication
with at sea
• Ensuring the safety of seafarers was to be the
primary concern
• Early signal transmissions were by Morse Code
and later by modulated voice transmissions
• The first known “CDQ” signal was sent by the SS
“Titanic”
• The CDQ was replaced by the more familiar SOS
Modern Marine Radio
• There are a number of radio bands allocated
specifically for marine use. The main ones are
415 -- 535 kHz Morse Telegraphy
1606 -- 2850 kHz MF Marine Radio
Telephony
4 -- 28 mHz HF Marine Radio
Telephony
156 -- 162 mHz VHF Marine Radio
Telephony
Marine VHF Radio
• Easy to use
• Good clear reception
• Reasonable range of
coverage for small vessels
• Most vessels over 10
metres are fitted with VHF
sets
• Low power requirements
make battery operation
possible
• VHF facilitates
reasonable antenna
sizes
• Portable and handheld
sets are readily
available
• The Relatively low
cost of appliances has
lead to their great
popularity
Control of Marine VHF Radio
• In the Republic of Ireland the use of Marine VHF
is controlled by the Minister for Communications
• The laws are applicable within the state and on
Irish registered vessels
• The owner is responsible for ensuring that the set
is licensed and that the conditions of license are
observed. See Appendix 1
• Condition 7 requires that the radio installation
may only be operated by persons holding valid
Certificates of Competence
Formality of Procedures
• English is the international language of marine
communication
• Marine VHF radio is used by many people who do
not naturally speak English
• Radio conversations are not as interactive as
normal person to person speech
• Conversation must be as short as possible
• As many conversations are safety related, there is
a need to have un-ambiguous and precise dialogue
Station Identity
• It is compulsory to identify yourself on every
transmission
• When a Radio Installation is licensed, a registered
Call Sign is issued
• This will be some combination of letters and
numbers, which is internationally registered.
• Irish Call Signs are generally in the form
EI XXXX
• It is acceptable to use the vessel’s name or a
combination of both the name and call sign.
General format of message
Name of station being called and call sign (if applicable)
Repeat up to three times
This is
Name of calling station and call sign (if applicable)
Repeat up to three times
Message to be sent
Over
“Pro” words and other common
phrases
This is
Over
Out
Station Calling -- ?
Say again
Word before -Word after -All before --All after -I say again -Received
Nothing Heard
I copy or Copied
Stand By
Stand By one
My position is
Traffic
TR
UTC
Signal Strength
All Stations
ETA
ETD
SAR
Seelonce
Prudonce
Mayday
Pan Pan
Securite
Mayday Relay
Unreadable
The Phonetic Alphabet
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
Alpha
Bravo
Charlie
Delta
Echo
Foxtrot
Golf
Hotel
India
Juliet
Kilo
Lima
Mike
November
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Oscar
Papa
Quebec
Romeo
Sierra
Tango
Uniform
Victor
Whiskey
X-Ray
Yankee
Zulu
Phonetic Numerals
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
Won
Too
Tree
Fow-er
Fife
Six
Sev-en
Ate
Niner
Zero
The number 294.8 would be stated as follows
TOO NINER FOWER DECIMAL ATE
Stating Time and Position
“My Position is FIFE TREE ZERO NINER DECIMAL ATE North
ZERO SIX ZERO FIFE DECIMAL TREE West”
or
“My Position is TOO miles
bearing TOO NINER FIFE from
Moulditch Buoy”
Time
“TOO WON ZERO NINER UTC”
21:30 or
09:30 p.m. GMT
22:30 or
10:30 p.m. BST
Precautions before transmitting
• Who is the call intended for
• Is the selected channel correct for the
message to be sent and what working
channel is appropriate
• Be sure that the channel is not being used
and that there is no higher priority incident
in progress
• Are you authorised to make the call
• Have you composed the message in your
mind
Channel Allocation
• Channel 16
• Inter Ship Channels
6 8 10 72 73
– Emergency Channel
– Initial Calling Channel
• Once contact is made
stations must switch to a
suitable working channel
• Priority must be given to
more important traffic
• Port Operations
12 14 11 09 68 71
• Small Boat Safety
67
• Coastal Radio Station
83 Dublin 87 Wicklow
23 Rosslare
Channel Allocation
• Marina / Race Control
80 (37 M M2)
• Digital Selective Calling
70 Do not use for voice
• CH 16 Guard band
75 76 May not be used
• US Channels
Used for weather
CoastGuard contact etc.
7A 18A 19A 21A 22A
These use one half of an
international Duplex
channel (explained later)
Good Radio Manners
•
•
•
•
Always listen before transmitting
Keep conversations short as possible
Make sure that your message is clear
Use “Pro” words and sound professional and
competent
• Obey instructions from coast stations (or more
competent operators)
• Speak calmly and clearly
• Do not use bad language, CB talk, TV cop habits
or people’s personal names
What is Radio
• Radio is a type of natural radiated energy, known
as Electro-magnetic Radiation (EMR)
• Since it’s discovery, we have learned to transmit
and receive it and harness it for many uses.
Radio EMR
Other EMR
Radio Broadcasts
TV Broadcasts
Communications
RADAR
Microwave Ovens
Visibe Light
Infra Red Light
Ultra Violet Light
X-Rays
Lasers
- are all forms of Electro-Magnetic Radiation
EMR’s Wave-like Behaviour
Wave Length
The distance between two adjacent peaks
[ Metres ]
Frequency
The number of peaks which pass a point in a second
[ Hertz ]
Wavelength
• Nowadays we tend to describe radio waves in
terms of frequency rather than wavelength
• Wavelength is more commonly used to describe
the higher frequency waves.. e.g. microwaves or
lasers and visible light
• The wavelength of radio is however relevant to the
size of the antenna or aerial
• Longer wave lengths require huge antennae
whereas higher frequencies (shorter wave lengths)
require more sophisticated electronics
Frequency vs. Wavelength
Long Wavelength -- Low frequency
Short wavelength -- High Frequency
30 KHz -- 10Kilometers
30GHZ -- 1centimeter
Frequency
1 Hertz
Hz
1
Cycle per second
1 Kilo Hertz
KHz
1,000
Cycles per second
1 Mega Hertz MHz
1,000,000
Cycles per second
1 Giga Hertz GHz
1,000,000,000
Cycles per second
1 Tera Hertz THz
1,000,000,000,000
Cycles per second
Signal Propagation
Frequencies below approx 3Mhz follow along the
earth’s curved surface and are therefore described
as “Ground Waves” ( e.g. Long and Medium Wave
radio broadcasts)
Short Wave Propogation
The earth’s atmosphere is surrounded by layers of
charged gas particles, referred to as the “Ionosphere”
Frequencies between approx 3Mhz and 30Mhz tend to
reflect off the Ionosphere. These are described as
“Sky Waves” (also Short Wave or HF)
VHF/UHF/SHF Propogation
Frequencies above approx 50 MHz are limited to
“Line of Sight” and are therefore useful for local,
aviation and celestial uses.
30 KHz
300 KHz
10 KM
1 KM
1 MHz
Marine Medium
Frequency
Medium Wave
Radio
Marine Morse
Telegraphy
Long Wave
Radio
Long Range
Communications
Ground Wave Uses
2 MHz
3 MHz
100 M
Basic RadioTransmitter
Transmitter
157.0 MHz
Basic Radio Receiver
Receiver only listens
to signals on it’s tuned
frequency.
Receiver
157.0 MHz
Transmitting a Signal
Transmitter
Receiver
157.0 MHz
157.0 MHz
Sound
Transmitting “Sound” Waves
Sound Wave
Modulation
Transmitted
Radio
Signal
Radio Wave
Radio Wave
Transmitter
157.0 MHz
The sound wave is
“modulated” on to the
“Carrier” frequency
Receiving “Sound” Waves
Radio Wave
Receiver
157.0 MHz
De-modulation
Receiver only listens
to signals on it’s tuned
frequency
Sound Wave
Sound
The Radio
Tranceiver
Speaker
Common
Antenna
Receiver
Receiving
156.0 MHz
The
“Push to
Talk” (PTT)
Button
Normally On
Radio
Wave
Normally
Off
Transmitter
156.0 MHz
Microphone
The Radio
Tranceiver
Speaker
Common
Antenna
Receiver
156.0 MHz
The
“Push to
Talk” (PTT)
Button
Off when pressed
Radio
Wave
On when
pressed
Transmitter
156.0 MHz
Microphone
Transmitting
On/Off/ Squelch
Volume Control
Receiver
156.0 MHz
Normally On
Radio
Wave
Normally
Off
Transmitter
156.0 MHz
High / Low
Power
Channel
Selector
On/Off Squelch
Volume
Receiver
Noise
Message
156.0 MHz
Normally On
Silence
Radio
Wave
Normally
Off
Transmitter
156.0 MHz
Receiving
Ch 83
Ch 67
Ch 16
Ch 0
Receiver
156.0 MHz
Channel
Select
161.775 MHz
156.375 MHz
156.8 MHz
157.0 MHz
off
PTT
Button
Radio
on Wave
Transmitter
156.0 MHz
157.175 MHz
156.375 MHz
156.8 MHz
157.0 MHz
Calling another Station
Name of station being called and call sign (if applicable)
Repeat up to three times
Ross Turk,
This is
Name of calling station and call sign (if applicable)
Repeat up to three times
Misha, Misha
Message to be sent
Channel Six
Over
Typical Example only !!
If no response, wait for approx three minutes and try again.
Response to a Call
Name of station being responding to call sign (if applicable)
Mise,
This is
Name of responding station and call sign (if applicable)
Ross Turk,
Message to be sent
Going to Channel Six
Over
Typical Example only !!
On working channel, the calling station generally speaks first
The Distress Call
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
Name of station in Distress
This is Yacht Mise, Yacht Mise, Yacht Mise,
Mayday,
Position of Vessel in Distress
My position is
Fife Tree Zero Ate North,
Zero, Six, Zero Won West
Nature of Distress
Vessel holed and sinking
Two persons on board.
Other Information
Will fire flares, no further radio contact possible
Mayday
Typical Example only !!
Send message on Ch 16 or any channel where a response is likely
Control of a Distress
• When a Mayday is in
progress only related radio
traffic is allowed
• The ship in distress may
impose control on the
distress channel
• Normally a coastal radio
station (MRCC or an
MRSC) will assume
control
• The ship in distress may
impose silence -SEELONCE MAYDAY
• A controlling station,
which itself is not the
vessel in distress can
impose silence -SEELONCE DISTRESS
• Radio silence is lifted with
the words -- SEELONCE
FEENEE
• If prudent use of the
channel is required the
word PRUDONCE is
used
Acknowledging a Distress Call
Mayday, once only !! Yacht Mise
Name of responding station
This is
Dublin Radio,
Received,
Typical Example only !!
Mayday
Any station hearing a MAYDAY must acknowledge,
Wait for a brief moment to ensure that you are not over-transmitting
a Coastal Radio Station or a vessel nearer the scene
If you are in a position to render assistance you must do so
If the MAYDAY has been acknowledged, call the controlling station
and advise them of your ETA and what assistance you can give
If you can not respond, stay quiet, and listen
Send a MAYDAY RELAY, See 13 a,b,c.
Mayday Relay, Mayday Relay, Mayday Relay
Name of station Relaying Mayday
This is Yacht Mise, Yacht Mise, Yacht Mise,
Mayday Relay,
Relay the original message making it clear that you yourself
are not in distress
Mayday Yacht Pogtone, Yacht Pogtone, Yacht Pogtone,
position is (Position of Distressed vessel, not yours !!)
Fife Tree Zero Ate North,
Zero, Six, Zero Won West
DistressMessage (do not add to it, just relay as it was received)
Vessel holed and sinking
Two persons on board.
Will fire flares, no further radio contact possible
This is Yacht Mise,
Repeat your name / call sign
Mayday Relay
again at the end if the
message is excessively long
Typical Example only !!
Ch 0
Simplex
Ch 0
Receiver
Receiver
156.0 MHz
156.0 MHz
Off when pressed
Off when pressed
Radio
Wave
On when
pressed
Radio
Wave
On when
pressed
Transmitter
Transmitter
156.0 MHz
156.0 MHz
Duplex Transmission
Ch 83
Receiver
161.775 MHz
Transmitter
151.175 MHz
Ship Station
Ch 83
Transmitter
161.775 MHz
Receiver
151.175 MHz
Shore Station
Typical Coast Station
Receiver
Transmitter
Ch 16
Ch 16
Receiver
Transmitter
Ch 67
Ch 67
Receiver
Transmitter
Ch 83
Ch 83
Dublin Radio
999 Calls
Malin Head
Radio
Malin
MRSC
Glen Head
Radio
Irish Marine
Emergency Services
Belmullet
Radio
Lifeboats
Dublin
MRCC
Clifden
Radio
Shannon
Radio
Valentia
Radio
Bantry
Radio
Dublin Radio
Wicklow Head
Radio
Valentia
MRSC
Rosslare Radio
Mine Head
Radio
Cork
Radio
Inshore
All Weather
IMES Coastal Rescue
Units
IMES SIKORSKI S61N
Helicopter
Air Corps Helicopters
Other Relevant Developments
• VHF channels can also be used to transmit coded
signals which can “activate” the called station.
• This is used to call emergency services on CH 67
• Channel 70 is reserved for Digital Selective
Calling (DSC) and may not be used for voice
transmission
• DSC will required on all sets after 1999 to
facilitate the new GMDSS service
Developments ...
• GMDSS will include sattelite based distress
communications via INMARSAT for ships in
oceanic regions.
• VHF DSC is required under GMDSS after 1999
• Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacons
(EPIRBS) are capable of automatically
transmitting a combined distress and position
signal.
• Additional VHF direction finding equipment is
currently being installed.
Revision
• Licence Conditions
– 1) Relevance of International Radio Regulations
– 2) Relevance of Merchant Shipping (Safety
Convention) Act 1952
– 3) Use limited to Maritime Mobile Service
• Ships
• Port Stations
• Coastal Radio Stations
– 4) Hygenic conditions
– 5) Screening Lights and Safety of Operators
– 6) Messages on behalf of Government
Revision ...
• License Conditions Continued
– 7) Operators Certificate of Competence
– 8) Confidentiality of Traffic
– 9) Obligation to Log all messages
See General Regulations
– 10) Payment for Coastal Radio Services
– 11) Notification of Alterations to Equipment
– 12) Right of Inspection
– 13) Documents to be carried
• Licence
• ITC Radio (and Telegraphy) Regulations
Revision ….
• License Conditions Continued ...
– 14) Payment of Licence Fees
– 15) Power to revoke licence
– 16) Ongoing relevance of ITC,
ammandments etc.
– 17) Cover of Emergency Radios
» No Certificate of Competence necessary
Revision ….
• General Regulations …
– a) Set must be licensed and Operators must
have Certificate of Competency
– b) Obey instructions from Coast Stations
– c) Stations must identify themselves
• Call Sign (Formally)
• Ships Name (Optionally)
– d) Listen before transmitting
Revision ….
• General Regulations …
– e) Channel 16 -- International Distress Frequency.
– May only be used for •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Distress Signal
Distress Call
Distress Traffic
Urgency Signal
Urgency Call
Urgency Traffic
Safety Call Only (Not Safety Traffic)
Establishing a communication with another station
Revision ...
• General Regulations ..
– f) All transmission on Ch 16 to be kept to minimum
– g) Listening watch on Ch 16
• Ships fitted with VHF Only (Non Compulsory) should
maintain maximum watch on Ch 16
• Irish Ships fitted with VHF (Compulsory) must maintain watch
on Ch 16, except in certain conditions, which must be logged.
• Obligation to log all communications relating to Safety,
Urgency and Distress Traffic
Revision...
• General Regulations ..
– h) Ship’s VHF must be fitted with
• Channel 16 (Distress Channel)
• Channel 6 (Primary Intership Channel)
• All other channels necessary for Service
• Stations must use channels for the allocated purpose
as far as possible
• Radio Telephony is forbidden on Ch 70