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There are many benefits that come from VHF radios. Ever wonder what they are?
The radio is used for a variety of purposes, including direct contact to rescue services like the Coast Guard and towing companies, as well as harbor, bridge, and marina communication. It provides a two-way communication system within a 5 to 30-mile range, proving to be far more reliable than a cell phone. The equipment is a combination of a transmitter and receiver, operating on standard channels, as well as a single-button distress signal. Additional benefits consist of communication with other boaters and weather alerts. More information on the benefits below:
Digital Selective Calling
VHF radios feature Digital Selective Calling (DSC) which has both non-emergency and emergency functionality. DSC allows a boater to send their current location to another boater within range. In addition, it serves as a highly important resource in emergency situations. With a single-touch button, the radio will send a digital Mayday notification on channel 70, which automatically gets picked up by the Coast Guard and all other vessels within range. Your MMSI number, exact location, and the nature of the emergency is also sent. From there, your radio will automatically switch to channel 16 which provides a direct communication line with rescue services.
Safety and Navigation
Pleasure-only boaters use channels 6 and 22A for mainly safety reasons. Channel 6 is reserved for search and rescue operations between local vessels. The Coast Guard will ask the boater to switch to channel 22A after making contact on channel 6.
Channel 13 serves as a navigational resource between watercraft. This channel is mostly used by larger vessels to disclose their current location and where they are headed. It is also used for bridge and lock communication.
Weather Alerts
VHF radios incorporate automatic weather alerts. An alert will be sent when the NOAAissues a special weather warning. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other severe weather conditions will signal an alert.
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The radio is used for a variety of purposes, including direct contact to rescue services like the Coast Guard and towing companies, as well as harbor, bridge, and marina communication. It provides a two-way communication system within a 5 to 30-mile range, proving to be far more reliable than a cell phone. The equipment is a combination of a transmitter and receiver, operating on standard channels, as well as a single-button distress signal. Additional benefits consist of communication with other boaters and weather alerts. More information on the benefits below:
Digital Selective Calling
VHF radios feature Digital Selective Calling (DSC) which has both non-emergency and emergency functionality. DSC allows a boater to send their current location to another boater within range. In addition, it serves as a highly important resource in emergency situations. With a single-touch button, the radio will send a digital Mayday notification on channel 70, which automatically gets picked up by the Coast Guard and all other vessels within range. Your MMSI number, exact location, and the nature of the emergency is also sent. From there, your radio will automatically switch to channel 16 which provides a direct communication line with rescue services.
Safety and Navigation
Pleasure-only boaters use channels 6 and 22A for mainly safety reasons. Channel 6 is reserved for search and rescue operations between local vessels. The Coast Guard will ask the boater to switch to channel 22A after making contact on channel 6.
Channel 13 serves as a navigational resource between watercraft. This channel is mostly used by larger vessels to disclose their current location and where they are headed. It is also used for bridge and lock communication.
Weather Alerts
VHF radios incorporate automatic weather alerts. An alert will be sent when the NOAAissues a special weather warning. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other severe weather conditions will signal an alert.
LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL BOATING RESOURCES:
https://www.facebook.com/SkiSafe/
