Standard Horizon HX-870 - Manual (Page 9)

Page 9 HX870
5 ABOUT THIS RADIO
5.1 PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS
The FCC prohibits the following communications:
• False distress or emergency messages:
• Messages to “any boat” except in emergencies and radio tests;
• Messages to or from a vessel on land;
• Transmission while on land;
• Obscene, indecent, or profane language (potential fine of $10,000).
5.2 ABOUT VHF RADIO
The radio frequencies used in the VHF marine band lie between 156 and 158
MHz with some shore stations available between 161 and 163 MHz. The marine
VHF band provides communications over distances that are essentially “line of
sight” (VHF signals do not travel well through objects such as buildings, hills
or trees). Actual transmission range depends much more on antenna type,
gain and height than on the power output of the transmitter. On a fixed mount
25W radio transmission expected distances can be greater than 15 miles, for
a portable 6W radio transmission the expected distance can be greater than
5 miles in “line of sight”.
5.3 DISTRESS AND HAILING (CHANNEL 16)
Channel 16 is known as the Hail and Distress Channel. An emergency may
be defined as a threat to life or property. In such instances, be sure the
transceiver is on and set to CHANNEL 16. Then use the following procedure:
1. Press the
PTT (Push-To-Talk) button and say “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.
This is , , ” (your vessel’s name).
2. Then repeat once: “Mayday, ” (your vessel’s name).
3. Now report your position in latitude/longitude, or by giving a true or magnetic
bearing (state which) to a well-known landmark such as a navigation aid
or geographic feature such as an island or harbor entry.
4. Explain the nature of your distress (sinking, collision, aground, fire, heart
attack, life-threatening injury, etc.).
5. State the kind of assistance your desire (pumps, medical aid, etc.).
6. Report the number of persons aboard and condition of any injured.
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 PTT button and listen.
10. If there is no answer, repeat the above procedure. If there is still no response,
try another channel.