Operation Manual

7-1
Appendix
SECTION 7 APPENDIX
7.1 VHF Marine Channel Usage Guide and
Licensing Requirements
Most of the information found in this section is reprinted in whole or in
part from FCC information Bulletin No. 2 REVISED EDITION February
1991 and FCC Fact Sheet PR-5000 March 1990.
REMEMBER:
• Maintain a radio watch on Channel 16. Channel 16 is used for distress
and safety purposes only.
• VHF Channel 70 is used only for Digital Selective Calling (DSC). It can
not be used for general-purpose calling.
• Your VHF transceiver has a high low power switch. Use low power
whenever feasible. Unnecessary high-power operations can interfere with
other important communications.
• Always use your radio call sign at the beginning and end of each
transmission.
• Be sure only qualified persons operate your radio. You are responsible
for control of your radio. Know the rules.
• Limit calls to other vessels to 30 seconds. If you receive no reply, wait 2
minutes; then try again. Keep communications brief and avoid chit-chat.
• Never transmit false distress messages, and never use profanity on the
air.
RAY230_sect7.p65 7/13/2001, 1:43 PM1