User Manual

Page 9
GX1600/GX1700
6. Report the number of persons aboard and condition of any injured.
7. Estimate the present seaworthiness and condition of your vessel.
8. Give your vessel’s description: length, design (power or sail), color and
other distinguishing marks. The total transmission should not exceed 1
minute.
9. End the message by saying “OVER”. Release the microphone button
and listen.
10. If there is no answer, repeat the above procedure. If there is still no
response, try another channel.
NOTE
The GX1600 and GX1700 have DSC distress calling, that can trans-
mit a distress call digitally to all ships with compatible DSC radios.
Refer to section “9 DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING”.
5.6 CALLING ANOTHER VESSEL (CHANNEL 16 OR 9)
Channel 16 may be used for initial contact (hailing) with another vessel.
However, its most important use is for emergency messages. This channel
must be monitored at all times except when actually using another channel.
Channel 16 is monitored by the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards and by
other vessels. Use of channel 16 for hailing must be limited to initial
contact only. Calling should not exceed 30 seconds, but may be repeated
3 times at 2-minute intervals. In areas of heavy radio traffic, congestion
on channel 16 resulting from its use as a hailing channel can be reduced
signicantly in U.S. 0waters by using channel 9 as the initial contact (hailing)
channel for non-emergency communications. Also hailing on channel 9, the
calling time should not exceed 30 seconds but may be repeated 3 times at
2-minute intervals.
Prior to making contact with another vessel, refer to the channel charts in this
manual, and select an appropriate channel for communications after initial
contact. For example, Channels 68 and 69 of the U.S. VHF Charts are some
of the channels available to non-commercial (recreational) boaters. Monitor
your desired channel in advance to make sure you will not be interrupting
other trafc, and then go back to either channel 16 or 9 for your initial contact.
When the hailing channel (16 or 9) is clear, press the PTT button on the mic
and state the name of the other vessel you wish to call and then “this is”
followed by the name of your vessel and your Station License (Call Sign)
then release the PTT button on the mic. When the other vessel returns your
call, immediately request another channel by pressing the PTT button on