Once you have your radio set up and on the correct channel, you are ready to transmit.
Each time you transmit you should:
– say the station you are calling (up to three times depending on the situation),
– say “This is” followed by your vessel’s name
– Say “Over” if you want a response OR “Out” if you do not.
The station you call should follow the same rules.
LEARN: Before the course, make sure you know the basic structure of a radio conversation and the way the words are used.
Example 1
A conversation on the radio might go like this (what you say is in RED and the response is in BLUE):
Po, Po, Po [up to 3 times]
This is Dipsy, Dipsy, Dipsy [up to 3 times]
Over
Dipsy [now just say the vessel’s name once]
This is Po
Over
Po, this is Dipsy
We are two miles southeast of Mousehole – what is your position?
Over
Dipsy, this is Po
We are just outside Mousehole Harbour
Over
Po, this is Dipsy
Fine, have a beer waiting
Over
Dipsy, This is Po Out
Using Channel 16
If you do not know which channel another boat is on, it is often correct to assume they are listening to channel 16 (there is no guarantee).
In this case you would call the vessel on Channel 16 and if they respond you move quickly to another channel where you continue your conversation.
Example 2
Your conversation on channel 16 might start like this (what you say is inRED and the response is in BLUE):
Tinky Winky, Tinky Winky,
This is Lala
Over
Lala,
This is Tinky Winky
Channel 06?
Over
Tinky Winky,
T his is Lala
Going Channel 06
Over
You both change to channel 06 and Lala transmits first.
What if I don’t get a reply?
If you call a boat on channel 16 and you don’t get a responce you should not simply keep calling. You should:
– wait 2 minute then call again;
– then wait another 2 minutes then call again;
– then finally call after 3 minutes before giving up.
Feedback
The content of these pages is put together in good faith and is constantly evolving. It is possible that errors exist within this content.
If you spot an error or would like to add anything to these pages please contact us via email.
Reading the content of these pages is not a substitute for completing a RYA SRC Course or similar.
