RYA SRC VHF Radio Procedures — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the designated international distress, safety, and calling frequency for VHF marine radio?
- Channel 6
- Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) (Correct answer)
- Channel 72
- Channel 80
Correct answer: Channel 16 (156.800 MHz)
Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) is the international distress, safety, and calling frequency. All vessels equipped with VHF must maintain a listening watch on this channel.
Question 2: What does the proword 'OVER' signify at the end of a VHF radio transmission?
- The communication is finished
- The speaker has finished their message and is awaiting a reply (Correct answer)
- An emergency situation
- The channel is changing
Correct answer: The speaker has finished their message and is awaiting a reply
'OVER' indicates that the speaker has finished their transmission and is inviting the other station to reply. It signals the end of one party's turn to speak.
Question 3: Before transmitting on VHF, what should a radio operator always do first?
- Switch to maximum power
- Listen on the intended channel to ensure it is clear and you will not interfere with other communications (Correct answer)
- Call the coastguard for permission
- Turn off all other electronics
Correct answer: Listen on the intended channel to ensure it is clear and you will not interfere with other communications
Before transmitting, always listen on the intended channel to check it is not already in use. Transmitting over an existing communication is poor practice and potentially dangerous if it blocks a distress call.
Question 4: What is the correct way to make an initial call to another vessel on VHF?
- Just start talking about your message
- State the name of the station being called (up to 3 times), followed by 'THIS IS' and your vessel name (up to 3 times), then 'OVER' (Correct answer)
- Sound your horn first
- Send a text message via DSC first
Correct answer: State the name of the station being called (up to 3 times), followed by 'THIS IS' and your vessel name (up to 3 times), then 'OVER'
The correct format is: '[Station name] x3, THIS IS [Your vessel name] x3, OVER'. On a working channel, names need only be said once each.
Question 5: What does the proword 'OUT' signify?
- An error has been made
- The communication is ended and no reply is expected (Correct answer)
- The speaker is going outside
- A request to change channel
Correct answer: The communication is ended and no reply is expected
'OUT' signifies that the communication has ended and no further reply is expected or required. 'OVER' and 'OUT' should never be used together.
Question 6: What VHF channel is commonly used for ship-to-ship safety communications in UK waters?
- Channel 16
- Channel 6
- Channel 72 (Correct answer)
- Channel 13
Correct answer: Channel 72
Channel 6 is the primary intership safety channel. It is used for safety-related communications between vessels, separate from Channel 16 which is the distress and calling channel.
RYA SRC VHF Radio Procedures
What is the designated international distress, safety, and calling frequency for VHF marine radio?