Standard Horizon HX-870 - Manual (Page 10)

Page 10 HX870
NOTE
The HX870 has the DSC Distress calling, that can transmit a distress
call digitally to all ships with compatible DSC radios. Refer to section
“ 10 DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC)”.
5.4 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. Call-
ing 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. waters
by using channel 9 as the initial contact (hailing) channel for non-emergency
communications. Here, also, 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 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. When the other vessel returns your call, immediately request another
channel by pressing the PTT button and saying “go to”, the number of the
other channel, say “over” and release the PTT button. Then switch to the new
channel. When the new channel is not busy, call the other vessel.
After a transmission, say “over”, and release the PTT button. When all commu-
nication with the other vessel is completed, end the last transmission by stating
your Call Sign and the word “out”. Note that it is not necessary to state your
Call Sign with each transmission, only at the beginning and end of the contact.
Remember to return to Channel 16 when not using another channel. Some
radios automatically monitor Channel 16 even when set to other channels or
when scanning.