RYA SRC VHF Radio Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When responding to a radio check with the best possible signal quality, which response is correct?
- Reading you strength five
- Loud and clear
- Five by five
- All of the above are acceptable (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the above are acceptable
On marine VHF, responses such as 'loud and clear', 'five by five', or 'reading you strength five' are all acceptable ways to indicate maximum signal quality.
Question 2: What is the correct NATO phonetic alphabet word for the letter 'G'?
- George
- Golf (Correct answer)
- Geneva
- Gamma
Correct answer: Golf
In the NATO phonetic alphabet used in marine radio communications, 'G' is represented by 'Golf'.
Question 3: What is the correct NATO phonetic alphabet word for the letter 'J'?
- Juliett (Correct answer)
- Juliet
- January
- Junior
Correct answer: Juliett
The correct spelling is 'Juliett' with a double 't' — this distinguishes it from the name Juliet in written radio logs.
Question 4: Which of the following must be recorded in a vessel's radio log?
- All distress, urgency and safety traffic heard or transmitted (Correct answer)
- Every channel change made during the voyage
- All routine radio checks with other vessels
- Weather forecasts received by radio
Correct answer: All distress, urgency and safety traffic heard or transmitted
A radio log must record all distress, urgency and safety traffic — this is a legal requirement for vessels equipped with a GMDSS radio.
Question 5: What does an MMSI number identify in DSC communications?
- The VHF channel selected for the distress call
- The vessel's GPS position co-ordinates
- A specific vessel or coast station (Correct answer)
- The category of distress being reported
Correct answer: A specific vessel or coast station
An MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a specific vessel or coast radio station in DSC messages.
Question 6: During normal operation at sea, when must a VHF watch be maintained on Channel 16?
- Only when expecting an incoming call
- At all times the radio is switched on, unless temporarily on another channel (Correct answer)
- Only when navigating in coastal waters or shipping lanes
- Only when entering or leaving harbour
Correct answer: At all times the radio is switched on, unless temporarily on another channel
A continuous watch on Channel 16 is required whenever the radio is in use, with brief exceptions when communicating on a working channel.
Question 7: What is the correct NATO phonetic alphabet word for the letter 'W'?
- William
- Winston
- Whiskey (Correct answer)
- Washington
Correct answer: Whiskey
In the NATO phonetic alphabet, 'W' is represented by 'Whiskey' — mariners must use this standardised word to avoid confusion.
RYA SRC VHF Radio Procedures 5
When responding to a radio check with the best possible signal quality, which response is correct?