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Automated radio checks

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/09/2011 : 04:30:52

This new program from Sea Tow will help skippers along parts of the east coast or the west coast to avoid using Ch.16 for radio checks. The Coast Guard frequently reminds boaters in my area that radio checks are to be done on Ch.9. Now I will be able to use Ch.27 to make sure my radio is being heard around the bay.

Dear Sea Tow Member,

Sea Tow is pleased to announce a first of its kind, Automated Radio Checks, a public safety service for boaters. The Automated Radio Check Service is now available throughout the country and is an exclusive service provided by Sea Tow.
• Boaters will now be able to conduct Automated Radio Checks by turning their VHF radios to appropriate channel. VHF Channels vary based on location. Click here to find the channel in your area.
• Available to boaters 24/7
• Unique service – does not require another boater or watch-stander to be performed
• No special equipment required
• This is a FREE service
• Available exclusively through Sea Tow's ongoing partnership with MariTEL
Instruction for conducting your Automated Radio Check:
• Turn your VHF radio to the appropriate channel
• Key the mic
• Ask for a radio check, just as you normally would
• The system will respond with an automated reply and will replay your original radio transmission, letting you know exactly how well your radio is working


Here is the list of regions and their respective VHF channels for the automated radio check service:

Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check Service

In areas across the country, Sea Tow is offering boaters a new way to conduct radio checks that doesn't require help from other boaters or watch standers. To use Sea Tow's free Automated Radio Check service, simply tune your VHF radio to the appropriate channel for your location and conduct a radio check as you typically would. Upon releasing your radio's microphone, the system will play an automated message and relay your transmission back to you, thereby letting you know that boaters can hear you loud and clear.

Interested in learning more about ARC?

The Automated Radio Check Service is currently available in the areas listed below. However, we are continually launching the Service in new areas nationwide. Visit this page often for updates.

West Coast
Sea Tow Newport/LA - Ch. 27
Sea Tow San Diego - Ch. 27

Northeast
Sea Tow Central Connecticut - Ch. 24
Sea Tow Eastern Connecticut - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Southern Connecticut - Ch. 24
Sea Tow Portland-Midcoast (Maine) - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Boston - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Cape and Islands - Ch. 28
Sea Tow South Shore (Mass.) - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Rhode Island - Ch. 24
Sea Tow Central Hudson (NY) - Ch. 24
Sea Tow Eastern Long Island - Ch. 28
Sea Tow Freeport (N.Y.) - Ch. 24
Sea Tow Great South Bay (N.Y.) - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Lower New York - Ch. 28
Sea Tow Huntington (N.Y.) - Ch. 28
Sea Tow Port Jefferson - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Shinnecock / Moriches (N.Y.) - Ch. 24 & 27
Sea Tow Services International (Southold) - Ch. 28
Sea Tow Western LI Sound - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Manasquan (N.J.) - Ch. 24
Sea Tow Northern New Jersey - Ch. 27

Mid-Atlantic
Sea Tow Atlantic City (NJ) - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Central New Jersey (NJ) - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Sea Isle / Cape May (NJ) - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Delaware River (DE) - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Northern Chesapeake (Md.) - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Central Chesapeake (Md.) - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Lower Chesapeake(Va.) - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Hampton Roads (Va.) - Ch. 28

North Carolina
Sea Tow Albermarle Sound- Ch. 27
Sea Tow Crystal Coast- Ch. 27
Sea Tow Ocean Isle Beach - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Oregon Inlet- Ch. 27
Sea Tow Pamlico Sound - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach - Ch. 26 & 27

South Carolina
Sea Tow Charleston - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Georgetown - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Myrtle Beach - Ch. 27

Gulf of Mexico
Sea Tow Galveston Bay - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Mobile - Ch. 26
Sea Tow New Orleans - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Pensacola/Orange Beach (Ala.) - Ch. 27

Georgia
Sea Tow Brunswick - Ch. 27

Tennessee
Sea Tow Fort Loudon - Ch. 28

Florida
Sea Tow Carrabelle/St. Marks - Ch. 26 & 27
Sea Tow Charlotte Harbor - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Clearwater/Port Richey - Ch. 26 & 27
Sea Tow Daytona - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Destin - Ch. 26 & 27
Sea Tow Fort Lauderdale - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Fort Myers - Ch.27
Sea Tow Horseshoe Beach - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Islamorada - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Jacksonville - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Key Biscayne - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Key Largo - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Marco Island - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Naples - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Palm Beach - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Panama City - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Pensacola - Ch. 26 & 27
Sea Tow Port Canaveral - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Port St. Joe - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Sarasota - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Sebastian - Ch. 27
Sea Tow St. Augustine - Ch. 26
Sea Tow Services International (Summerland Keys) - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Tampa Bay - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Treasure Coast - Ch. 27
Sea Tow Venice - Ch. 27

Puerto Rico
Sea Tow Puerto Rico - Ch. 26 & 27

Virgin Islands
Sea Tow Virgin Islands - Ch. 27


Safe sailing!

JohnP
1978 C25 SR/FK "Gypsy"
Mill Creek off the Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay
Port Captain, northern Chesapeake Bay

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 04:40:56

it's actually pretty cool, not only does it automatically confirm radio check but it also replays your query...the down side is, should you stay on their channel (how did they get a channel for themselves???), that they broadcast commercial promotional messages...

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 05:49:54

I understand that Channel 16 is the "International Hailing and Distress Frequency". I hear a speech from the Coasties about it every time somebody asks for a radio check on the channel. I find it interesting that the speech usually lasts much, much longer than the request thereby compromising the air space with a much more powerful radio covering a much wider area. There's one particular radio operator in the Detroit sector (I hear it about 50 miles or so from Detroit) that sounds particularly stressed and offended every time she repeats the speech as if somebody just walked into her living room.

Doesn't it make sense that one would want to know for certain the the radio is actually broadcasting and receiving on the "International Hailing and Distress Frequency"?

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 06:13:57

Cool!<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 Doesn't it make sense that one would want to know for certain the the radio is actually broadcasting and receiving on the "International Hailing and Distress Frequency"?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Unless you have an old crystal-based radio (with one crystal for each channel), if your radio transmits on one channel, it'll transmit on the others. The USCG (in most locations) is trying to promote Ch. 9 for non-emergency hailing, and it appears to be a long slog... Newer radios can monitor several channels; older ones, just one channel, which by regulation is supposed to be 16 so they'll get distress calls. 16 will probably remain a mess for some time, and USCG Sector Long Island Sound seems to be resigned to that. What bugs me is the chatting on 16, and its use by racers.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/09/2011 06:19:30

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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1771 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 06:19:16

I hate the automated radio check thing. Go figure!

Why? 'Cuz it does not allow for the establishment of range and while you may be able to hear yourself back, it does not mean anyone else can. Basically, SeaTow decided to start answering radio checks a couple of years ago 'cuz it's free advertising. I'm calling BS.

Coasties will give you a radio check depending on where you are and which sector is responding. Some will tell you to use 9 in the future, some won't. I always try to beat everyone when I hear a radio check request 'cuz I get a freebie. It works for everyone that way, including the coasties. They know who is where and that all is well and that these mariners are able to hear each other and the Coasties in case of an emergency.

Now that been said, getting a radio check everytime you go out is overkill, but a prudent mariner on a passage will want to verify that they are still in range - which is why when we just went around Hatteras and Cape Fear the Coasties were all too happy to answer back without scolding. Same thing offshore of Cape May/New York. All Coast Guard sectors have at least 3-4 radio operators on 24/7 with a watch commander. They can't leave during their shifts which are typically 12 hours long. Radio checks keeps everyone active and listening - including me.

But it seems as if there is so much confusion that it just depends on where the heck you are. Technically, 16 is a "Hailing" AND "Distress" channel. If I am requesting a radio check, I always hail "Any Vessel." Technically, VERY legal.

Also, who listens to 9 anyway? And um, 9 in someplaces is how you hail the bridge tenders - so that does not make any sense either...

And finally, since I hate SeaTow - I would like to know how THEY got this gig. Why not Tow Boat US?

sten

Edited by - redviking on 08/09/2011 06:38:06

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 06:36:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I hate the automated radio check thing. Go figure! Why? 'Cuz it does not allow for the establishment of range and while you may be able to hear yourself back, it does not mean anyone else can.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I don't get much range info when I do a radio check and the Coasties or a boat a quarter mile away answers... and I don't hear how my radio sounds. And when I launched in April and asked for a check on 9, I got no response whatsoever--because nobody was there.

I had a bridge operator tell me my output was weak... I disconnected and reconnected the antenna, and he said it was much better ("chatting" on 13

). I'd like to have checked the difference myself on Ch. 27. But indeed, if I'm embarking on a passage 50+ miles out, I'd want to get confirmation from the USCG.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/09/2011 06:37:48

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 06:41:14

And not to hijack, but uh WTF is 22 Alpha? Seriously? Anyone know? @@ Alpha is ONLY used by the United States and when you are on a foreign flagged vessel and the Coasties ask you to switch and answer on 22A or for a Marine Safety broadcast you are essentially screwed.

Abolish 22 Alpha once and for all - Rant mode off!

sten

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 07:06:03

I've wondered about 22 Alpha also. My radio has only 1 choice for 22 and I've turned to that when the Coasties requested 22A. Worked fine. I assume that maybe the USCG might have a 22 Bravo that they use internally. I often hear them, when hailing one another, to "switch and answer primary". I wonder if that's it?

BTW, Anybody know where the busiest USCG station in the country is?

Edited by - John Russell on 08/09/2011 07:07:30

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 07:06:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 ...WTF is 22 Alpha? Seriously? Anyone know? @@ Alpha is ONLY used by the United States and when you are on a foreign flagged vessel and the Coasties ask you to switch and answer on 22A or for a Marine Safety broadcast you are essentially screwed.

Abolish 22 Alpha once and for all.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">If you're a furriner, ya jist gotta stop at WM in Bermuda or Nova Scotia or somewhere and buy a 'Mercan radidio.

But if they change from 22A to 22, wado I do??

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 07:12:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 I've wondered about 22 Alpha also. My radio has only 1 choice for 22 and I've turned to that when the Coasties requested 22A. Worked fine.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...cause your radio only has 22A. (If you have a digital display, it'll show that.) <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">BTW, Anybody know where the busiest USCG station in the country is?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Wichita, KS.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/09/2011 07:12:46

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 07:17:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by StinkpotterBut if they change from 22A to 22, wado I do??
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Which is why it was a stupid idea to begin with - it's too late to change, but we Americans are a stubborn and often stupid group of people. Red right returning isn't universal either, BUT WE had to have our way.

I think the radio manufacturers whould made it an option to disable or enable 22A - would be a gradual phaseout and allow those of us who might need the regular 22 somewhere to be able to buy a radio with both...

sten

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 07:24:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 I've wondered about 22 Alpha also. My radio has only 1 choice for 22 and I've turned to that when the Coasties requested 22A. Worked fine.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...cause your radio only has 22A. (If you have a digital display, it'll show that.) <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">BTW, Anybody know where the busiest USCG station in the country is?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Wichita, KS.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Marblehead, Ohio. Lot's of drunk boaters near those Lake Erie Islands.

Edited by - John Russell on 08/09/2011 07:27:18

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 07:53:02

Don't understand the displeasure being expressed with the automated service. It has been in place in San Diego Bay for about a year and a half and provides an easily accessible service to confirm your radio is transmitting. Since it replays exactly what you transmit you can verify how clean your transmission was just by listening to the replay. It is also a good tool if you are working on your radio and need to verify transmissions repeatedly. It reduces chatter on CH16 and allows you to avoid the inconsistency of hailing a response using CH9. I have several screwdrivers in my tool bag. They all have different uses but I can only use one at a time. The others don't frustrate me. CH27 is just another tool in the bag.

Edited by - on

redviking
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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 08:24:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sloop Smitten
 I have several screwdrivers in my tool bag. They all have different uses but I can only use one at a time. The others don't frustrate me. CH27 is just another tool in the bag.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Right, but you didn't throw out your other screwdrivers did you? CH27 can exist. Don't care. But I will still use 16 when I want to know for sure. Again, 16 is a "Hailing AND Distress" channel, which means if I want to hail any vessel for a radio check I can still legally do so. No information is provided about the exact location of the SeaTow Tower, just that you can hear yourself back... Big deal... I agree, could be useful when working on your radio such that you don't hog 16, but let's be realistic, it's just another tool as you said and I am not throwing away the one I trust so much.

If you are offshore as I find myself whenever I can

, I want to hear from someone else offshore or at least the Coasties to verify that if I hit a submerged container or something, that someone can hear me.

In the old days - we'd all give each other radio checks and nobody seemed to mind. What gives now? There are less boats out here now than probably ever before, my radio is 3 times as quiet as it used to be. Also, if you request a radio check on 16 and the automated thing comes back telling you to get one on 27, how do you request a human response?

What's next? Do it yourself Coast Guard rescues?

sten

Edited by - redviking on 08/09/2011 08:31:19

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 11:24:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 

Doesn't it make sense that one would want to know for certain the the radio is actually broadcasting and receiving on the "International Hailing and Distress Frequency"?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No, 'cuz if your radio works, it works. Period. The dummies who think they need a radio check are missing the point, and are using the wrong channel anyway.

Radio checks should be a thing of the past. Would clear up a lot of air time.

The same topic came up on co.com (go figgur!!) and I asked why people even bother these days.

Here's a good answer:

Stu, they are all new to boating folks who do not want to embarris themseves to the entire community with their amachure antics. So once one Muldoon does a radio check they get the idea it would be cool for them to do one (and look salty in the eyes of the crew) too. I've heard this many times, everything is calm and just a few folks trying to rasie their buddies then the radio check. next thing you know the channel is alive with folks doing radio checks. And they copy the first guys format. For an interesting twist on this try doing a radio check but ask for a specific location to report ie "Any boat in Harring Bay, Any boat in Harring Bay, the is the sailing vessel Bardi Sea, radio check, over. They will repeat that exact format cause they don't know what they are doing.

***************

And for those of you who are "Interpreting" Ch16 as "distress" and checking, have you asked yourself just why the CG says NOT TO DO SO? C'mon there's are scads of other channels to use. Please use them.

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 08/09/2011 11:43:35

redviking
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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 11:42:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stu Jackson C34
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 

Doesn't it make sense that one would want to know for certain the the radio is actually broadcasting and receiving on the "International Hailing and Distress Frequency"?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No, 'cuz if your radio works, it works. Period. The dummies who think they need a radio check are missing the point, and are using the wrong channel anyway.

Radio checks should be a thing of the past. Would clear up a lot of air time.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Then consider me one of those "Dummies." Try your handheld and see if you get even a garbled response on CH27... The range and ability to be heard will always be important, unless you have a VHF meter wherein you can check yourself anyway, and even then you are on your own boat so the variables are many... How tall is your mast Stu? Mine is 58.5 feet tall and I guarantee you I can transmit a lot farther than a C34...

After 5 trips up and down the east coast, and as previously stated, I have found the variables to be many in terms of where you can request a radio check sans scolding and where you can't. Trust me, all Coasties are not the same. Figure that one out. Is it a law, or just an admonishment? But whatever you do on your boat - simply will not work on mine. But I will stick to my old school ways until I start getting tickets or something for doing what has been done for decades.

As was originally posted: "This new program from Sea Tow will help skippers along parts of the east coast or the west coast to avoid using Ch.16 for radio checks." I avoid doing radio checks on 16 unless I am actually doing something.

But that's what I get for voicing my opinion on a website. Point taken. All of you please stay off of 16 and leave that channel to people who actually go places!

BTW - should you respond to a radio check, the proper format is "Loud and clear" Or "Broken up and Garbled" etc, and your location. Wonder how many sailors know that?

Standing by channel ONE-SIX. OUT!

sten

Edited by - redviking on 08/09/2011 12:17:29

John Russell
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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 12:04:24

Wow, that turned ugly in a hurry. Has this become Sailing Anarchy?

By the way, Stu, I'll compare my Mensa card to yours any day.

Edited by - on

redviking
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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 12:07:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 Wow, that turned ugly in a hurry. Has this become Sailing Anarchy?

By the way, Stu, I'll compare my Mensa card to yours any day.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Do we have any more that would work? Sorry, I don't want to turn this into SA - but in my experience safety stuff is just exactly that. The PITA from having to suffer thru a radio check pales in comparison to the devastating possibilities of not being able to communicate and I will always advocate for safety. Period.

"Stu, they are all new to boating folks who do not want to embarris themseves to the entire community with their amachure antics."

I am not an amateur. I've got thousands of miles under my keel. But let me ask you - if you were going offshore, based on what you know about me, would you feel safer with me or being on the boat of someone who was afraid to look like an amachure and wouldn't make sure their safety equipment was working?

sten

Edited by - redviking on 08/09/2011 12:54:02

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 13:28:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Red right returning isn't universal either, BUT WE had to have our way.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The rest of the world was stubborn too, that's why there are two zones, it isn't just the USA vs the rest of the world.

Edited by - on

redviking
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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 14:04:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Red right returning isn't universal either, BUT WE had to have our way.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The rest of the world was stubborn too, that's why there are two zones, it isn't just the USA vs the rest of the world.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Uh yeah, we were able to influence the Americas and a couple of Asian occupied territories to become IOLA B countries, while the rest of the world is IOLA A.... Wonder which came first. A or B? We were able to force our rules on those we sorta had a grip on while the rest of the world resisted. Remember Europe was quite a bit ahead of our own domestic seafarers by a few centuries.

Sten

Edited by - on

PCP777
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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 14:07:40

I check mine on channel 69, un-official cruising channel on the lake and pre -race on 71, the racing channel.

Edited by - on

piseas
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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 14:14:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 Rant mode off!
sten
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sten, Should have heeded your own words. I respect most of what you say in our forum but sometimes, like now, you, well I think you know.
This does sound more like SA than our Catalina 25 group. Take a time out, a deep breath and relax. Its not the end of the sailing world.
I wonder what John P is now thinking? I think I might know.
I do believe in a honest discussion but lets leave out our politics and anger. I think we will all be better(sailors) for it.
Steve A
PS Sten yes I would probably feel safer sailing with you than an amateur, unless the winds got over 30.

Edited by - on

redviking
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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 14:38:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 Rant mode off!
sten
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sten, Should have heeded your own words. I respect most of what you say in our forum but sometimes, like now, you, well I think you know.
This does sound more like SA than our Catalina 25 group. Take a time out, a deep breath and relax. Its not the end of the sailing world.
I wonder what John P is now thinking? I think I might know.
I do believe in a honest discussion but lets leave out our politics and anger. I think we will all be better(sailors) for it.
Steve A
PS Sten yes I would probably feel safer sailing with you than an amateur, unless the winds got over 30.

LOL! Yeah, ok.... I think John P. Was right to post this and I agree it has its value, but I hate to think that the VHF has been turned into one big commercial for SeaTow. I loved my C25 and truly believe that the civil discussions here are beneficial for all. I know my stuff and I know others here do as well. I dislike opinions not based on reality, and will do my best to moderate my comments such that they are not perceived as offensive. I believe in everything I posted and want others to recognize that fact.

BTW, 30 knots isn't so bad on a 40 footer with a reef tucked in - or two. LOL!

That been said, I would have to say that factual, intellectual discusions are why I still hang around here. A lot of people don't know everything including myself. But if I can't learn something from another point of view or from fact, why bother?

This site beats all of them, hence my participation. When it gets a little hot, well that just means that there is something interesting to discuss. Often, when asked about anchoring or something else, I shut down the thread because my answer is too complete. That is boring. I have opinions, and right or wrong, they are just that. It doesn't mean that we wouldn't have a few beers and swap stories someday. Thanks for understanding.

Sten

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

redviking
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Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 14:57:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Red right returning isn't universal either, BUT WE had to have our way.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The rest of the world was stubborn too, that's why there are two zones, it isn't just the USA vs the rest of the world.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Uh yeah, we were able to influence the Americas and a couple of Asian occupied territories to become IOLA B countries, while the rest of the world is IOLA A.... Wonder which came first. A or B? We were able to force our rules on those we sorta had a grip on while the rest of the world resisted. Remember Europe was quite a bit ahead of our own domestic seafarers by a few centuries.

Steno
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And that is not political, just fact.... Wiki it....

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 15:09:48

I found this
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Those "A" and "B" Channels: (In the US, "B" stands for Bootleg!) - Why do you hear channel 22 referred to as "22-Alpha?" Because many channels on the international band are split-frequency. On international radios, the regular channel number indicates the split. An "A" channel is simplex on the ship frequency. A "B" channel is simplex on the shore frequency (4.6 MHz above the ship frequency) NO "B" channels that I'm aware of are legal for marine simplex in the US.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Paul

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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1484 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2011 : 15:27:22

ahem....getting back to topic...the SeaTow auto response I get wen checking from Peconic Bay identifies itself as their facility on the CT River...

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