Page 9
GX1700
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 re-
sponse, try another channel.
NOTE
The
GX1700
have DSC Distress calling, that can transmit a distress
call digitally to all ships with compatible DSC radios. Refer to section “
9
DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING
”.
5.5 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.
It 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 significantly
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 traffic, 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
” fol-
lowed 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 the mic
and saying “
go to
,” the number of the other channel, say “over” and release