What is channel 16 on VHF?

VHF Marine Radio Channels

However, channel 16 on your VHF radio is probably the most important. Channel 16 is designated as the national distress, safety and calling frequency. All vessels should monitor this channel while underway.

What frequency is channel 16 on VHF?

VHF Channel 16 is the international distress frequency; it broadcasts on a frequency of 156.8 MHz and is received worldwide by any VHF radio. It is used for distress and emergency calls as well as for informational broadcasts from the Coast Guard.

Can you radio check on VHF 16?

Please use VHF Channel 09 and do not use VHF Channel 16:

VHF Channel 16 is not for the purpose of radio checks. Please use VHF Channel 09, which has been designated by the FCC as a boater's calling channel.

What channel should my VHF be on?

Federal Communications Commission regulations require boaters having VHF radios to maintain a watch on either channel 9 or channel 16, whenever the radio is turned on and not communicating with another station. All non-emergency traffic should be communicated on another channel (not channels 9 or 16).

What is VHF channel 12 used for?

Channel 11-12: Vessel traffic regulating.

What is CHANNEL 16 VHF? What does CHANNEL 16 VHF mean? CHANNEL 16 VHF meaning

How do you call Sea Tow on VHF?

Call Sea Tow via phone at 800-4-SEATOW (473-2869), one-touch to call via the Sea Tow App or contact your local Sea Tow on VHF channel 16. Call “Sea Tow, Sea Tow, Sea Tow, this is the vessel [name].” The local Sea Tow Captain will answer and take you to a working channel.

What VHF channel do fishermen use?

Calls to other vessels are normally initiated on Channel 16 except for recreation vessels which may use (voluntarily) Channel 09 VHF-FM. The FCC has designated Channel 09 as a recreational calling channel in order to eliminate congestion on Channel 16 VHF-FM.

How can I listen to the Coast Guard?

During most CG SSB nets and CGCWOA ZUT nets, audio is streamed live from station W5CGC in Southlake, Texas. The live stream is available on TuneIn. Click here for an alternate feed. The live Net streams are available on mobile devices such as iPhone and Android phones.

Why is channel 16 the emergency?

Channel 16 VHF (156.8 MHz) is a marine VHF radio frequency designated as an international distress frequency. Primarily intended for distress, urgency and safety priority calls, the frequency may also carry routine calls used to establish communication before switching to another working channel.

Why is channel 16 the distress channel?

Ch 16 is the Distress, Safety and Calling channel.

This is used for calling another vessel before moving to a different channel, or for safety and distress transmissions. Before using Ch16 listen for a few moments to check you are not interrupting an important transmission such as a Mayday.

Why is channel 16 a simplex channel?

Simplex is the communication method where both transmitter and receiver are operating on a single (or the same) frequency, for example VHF CH 12 and VHF CH 16. On simplex channels it isn't possible to transmit and receive simultaneously.

What is the frequency of channel 16 mentioned in the radio regulation?

Very High Frequencies (VHF)

Channel 16, which is set at 156.800 MHz, is for Distress, Urgency and Safety communication.

What is the international distress calling channel?

The frequencies 161.975 MHz (VHF-CH AIS 1) and 162.025 MHz (VHF-CH AIS 2) are used for AIS search and rescue transmitters (AIS-SART) in search and rescue operations.

Can you use a VHF marine radio on land?

Marine VHF radios, whether fixed or handheld, may not be used on land, period. It's the law. Once a VHF radio goes ashore, it cannot be used for marine band transmission (without a Coast Station License).

What is the channel to call the bridge?

In advance of your arrival at the bridge (often you should call well before), alert the bridge operator that you need an opening. Try to make contact on the VHF channel designated for bridge use in your area (usually 13 or 9).

How do I request a VHF radio check?

Turn radio to one-watt power setting, and key the microphone. Call "radio check" three times, followed by your boat name and location. Wait for a reply confirming someone has heard your transmission.

How far will VHF transmit?

A typical VHF station operates at about 100,000 watts and has a coverage radius range of about 60 miles.

What is my boat's MMSI number?

A MMSI number (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) is a nine-digit number that identifies your boat for marine traffic monitoring systems. The unique identifier facilitates VHF communications, customs and border security, emergency response, and commercial call tracking and billing.

How do you call into a marina on VHF?

How do I listen to the Sea Tow radio?

To conduct an automated radio check, turn your VHF radio to channel 27 or 28, key the mike, and ask for a radio check, just as you would on any other channel.

Does the Coast Guard monitor channel 16?

Monitoring of Channel 16

Although since February 2005, the Coastguard has not been required to maintain a dedicated headset watch on Channel 16, they have the facility to do this if required and will be maintaining a "loudspeaker watch" on Channel 16 for the foreseeable future.

What is the purpose of VHF channel 06?

VHF CH 06 is designated to be used for communication with aircraft in the event of SAR action. NOTE: In case of SAR action, those channels should not be used for reasons other than for distress communication.

Can a VHF radio talk to a CB radio?

CB or its close relatives fall into the HF frequency range (covering somewhere around 26 to 28 MHz, depending on country), so anything that accurately calls itself a VHF radio will not transmit (and most likely will not receive) CB.