VHF Marine Radio Procedures
Nothing comes close to a Cobra
®
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Licensing Information
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English
Licensing Information
•
The radio operates on all currently allocated marine channels and is switchable for
use according to International, Canadian or U.S.A. regulations. It features instant
access to emergency Channel 16 by pressing one key.
CobraMarine
™
VHF radios comply with the U.S. FCC (Federal Communications
Commission) requirements that regulate the Maritime Radio Service.
Station License
The UK requires a ships radio license and a marine radio operator’s certificate before
transmitting equipment can be used aboard a vessel. Other European countries have
specific requirements of their own.
For detailed information and applications, contact the Radio Licensing Centre run
by Royal Mail in the UK. In other countries contact the relevant national postal or
telecommunications authority.
Canadian or U.S.A. Station License
If your vessel will be entering the sovereign waters of Canada or the U.S.A., you
should contact Industry of Canada, Radio Regulatory Branch or the U.S. Federal
Communications Commission for licensing and operating information.
Radio Call Sign
A radio call sign is included as part of the ships radio license in the UK.
Other countries may have different practices; contact your local regulatory
authority for information.
User Responsibility and Operating Locations
All users are responsible for observing domestic and foreign government regulations
and are subject to severe penalties for violations. The VHF frequencies on your radio
are reserved for marine use and require a special license to operate from land,
including when your boat is on its trailer.
VHF Marine Radio Procedures
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Maintain Your Watch
Whenever your boat is underway, the radio must be turned On and
be tuned to Channel 16 except when being used for messages.
Power
Try 1 watt first if the station being called is within a few kilometres. If there
is no answer, switch to a higher power. This will conserve your battery
and minimize interference to other users.
Calling Coast Stations
Call a coast station on its assigned channel. You may use Channel 16
when you do not know the assigned channel.
Calling Other Vessels
Call other vessels on Channel 16. You may also call on ship-to-ship channels
when you know that the vessel is listening on a ship-to-ship channel.
Limits on Calling
You must not call the same station for more than 30 seconds at a time.
If you do not get a reply, wait at least 2 minutes before calling again.
After three calling periods, wait at least 15 minutes before calling again.
Change Channels
After contacting another station on a calling channel, change immediately
to a channel which is available for the type of message you want to send.
Station Identification
Identify your station by your call sign, ship name or other official number
at both the beginning and end of each message.
Prohibited Communications
You MUST NOT transmit:
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False distress or emergency messages.
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Messages containing obscene, indecent or profane words or meaning.
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General calls, signals or messages (messages not addressed to a particular
station) on Channel 16, except in an emergency or if you are testing your radio.
■
When you are on land.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols
VHF Marine Radio Protocols
400-BR-F 6/23/04 2:09 PM Page 6
