Diva replies on Channel 68:
“Diva on six–eight, over”
Both sender and recipient continue the
communication on Channel 68.
• Continue with your message.
• Keep calls short and to the point.
• Think before you speak and make your
message simple.
• It must be about your boat’s business and
no longer than 3 minutes in length.
• No chit chat.
• Each boat then acknowledges completion
of the call and returns to the Channel 16
calling frequency:
“Moxie, out”
“Diva, out”
Some Guidelines
• Keep the channels free. It is illegal for a
recreational boater to use a marine VHF
radio on shore.
• Do not allow children to use or play with
the radio.
• Be careful when handling the microphone.
• Make sure that the transmit button
does not somehow get “stuck” in the
“transmit” position.
• Check your radio periodically to be sure it
is not malfunctioning.
• Remember there are many people vying
for communication time.
• CB radio, amateur radio, cellular telephone
and FRS radios may all be used
on a boat for non-essential communication.
• Be courteous and use no more time than
necessary when using your radio.
Radio Checks
Radio checks are used to verify that your
radio is functioning properly. If you suspect
a problem with your radio or wish to verify
it is working properly before you leave port,
ask another boater for a radio check.
The usual procedure is to select a
calling channel. (Do not call for check on
channel 16 or ask USCG for check.)
• Ask for a radio check by saying
• “Radio check, radio check, radio check”
• “This is Moxie requesting a radio check”
• Any party hearing the transmission can
respond
• “Moxie (or radio check), this is Diva.
Switch and answer 68.”
• At this point it is like a routine message.
Verify the radio is functioning
and clear the channel.
• Radio checks should be used infrequently
so as to keep communications channels
clear. Ask for a radio check from the
Coast Guard only as a last resort.
NOAA Weather Radio
Channels
Weather radio channels provide one-way
broadcasts of continuous marine weather
reports by NOAA and its subsidiary the
National Weather Service.
• Channels WX-l, WX-2, WX-3, WX-4,
WX -5, WX-6, and WX-7 offer aroundthe
clock broadcasts of the latest weather
information (Figure 12-8). Not all channels
are available in all areas.
• Taped weather messages are repeated
every 4 to 6 minutes and updated several
times a day, more often when unusual
weather de velops.
• The Environment Canada Weather
Department uses WX-l, WX-2, and WX-3.
Canada also provides continuous marine
weather coverage on channel 2lB or 83B.
• Put radio in international mode, which
also shows up on WX-8 (161.650 MHz)
or WX- 9 (161.775 MHz) on many newer
marine VHF radios.
The particular channel available is deter-
144 Chapter Three
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125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
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Figure 12-8. This VHF
Radio receives ten
weather stations.