Radio Protocol

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  • gford001
    Ausfish Silver Member

    • Jan 2013
    • 474
    #1

    Radio Protocol

    Hey,
    I just have a quick question about using callsigns on the radio.
    I have a UHF and VHF in the boat and have never had cause to use either of them. I have them so I can call for help if needed and I monitor them incase anyone else needs help etc.
    Just wondering about callsigns.... Do you just make up a callsign? I guess if your boat has a name, you use that, but otherwise, what do you use? My boat has no name.
    I am pretty experienced with radio communications, having been a Military Comms specialist for a while, but we were assigned callsigns and protocols to use, what do Civilian boaties do?
    Do you register a callsign with coastguard or something so they know who they're talking to? How do you know someone else isn't using the same Callsign?
    Wondered about this for a while, just keep forgetting to ask.
    Tags: None
  • Dignity
    Ausfish Addict

    • Dec 2004
    • 6890
    #2
    Re: Radio Protocol

    A lot of boaties use their boat name however if you become a member with the local coast guard, which is highly recommended, cost less than a Sixpack of beer a month but we'll worth it, you will be assigned a call sign, Makes logging on and off much easier and is a great safety feature and something you should get in the habit of doing. Not having a boat name this would be your best option as well as supporting a great organisation.
    One of the sad signs of our times is that we have demonized those who produce, subsidized those who refuse to produce and canonized those who complain.
    Thomas Sowell

    Comment

    • gford001
      Ausfish Silver Member

      • Jan 2013
      • 474
      #3
      Re: Radio Protocol

      Originally posted by Dignity View Post
      A lot of boaties use their boat name however if you become a member with the local coast guard, which is highly recommended, cost less than a Sixpack of beer a month but we'll worth it, you will be assigned a call sign, Makes logging on and off much easier and is a great safety feature and something you should get in the habit of doing. Not having a boat name this would be your best option as well as supporting a great organisation.
      Yeah I've got membership. Figured it sounded like a good idea. I just put the card in my wallet. Maybe I should read it.......
      Cheers .

      Comment

      • TruBlue
        Ausfish Bronze Member

        • Dec 2015
        • 73
        #4
        Re: Radio Protocol

        Hey gford001
        Yep mate u can just make one up
        In regard to the same call sign being used, it can happen however when u log on for coverage you also give vessel rego description pod and a mobile number so it isn't an issue


        Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

        Comment

        • Dignity
          Ausfish Addict

          • Dec 2004
          • 6890
          #5
          Re: Radio Protocol

          Originally posted by gford001 View Post
          Yeah I've got membership. Figured it sounded like a good idea. I just put the card in my wallet. Maybe I should read it.......
          Cheers .
          I put my call sign on the radio itself with one of those labeling tapes and always show newbies on my boat in case I'm out of it for some reason. No good having all the equipment and nobody else knows what to do.
          One of the sad signs of our times is that we have demonized those who produce, subsidized those who refuse to produce and canonized those who complain.
          Thomas Sowell

          Comment

          • gford001
            Ausfish Silver Member

            • Jan 2013
            • 474
            #6
            Re: Radio Protocol

            Thanks for the help .Just something I've often wondered about.
            I checked my membership card, found out why I didn't notice a callsign, it's VMR not coastguard.

            Comment

            • ozynorts
              Ausfish Platinum Member

              • May 2012
              • 2050
              #7
              Re: Radio Protocol

              A VMR membership card should have your member number on it. Just use that when you log on.
              Remember to always log on before heading offshore.

              Comment

              • D1vemaster
                Ausfish New Member

                • Jan 2015
                • 22
                #8
                Re: Radio Protocol

                Get yourself onto a Australian Waters Qualification (AWQ) course; no point having an anchor with no boat right?!

                If your radio has DSC functionality you will need the AWQ in order to obtain your MMSI for use in your radio
                Tight lines & screamin' reels!

                Comment

                • TheRealPoMo
                  Ausfish Silver Member

                  • Jul 2014
                  • 472
                  #9
                  Re: Radio Protocol

                  Didn't know the MROCP had changed. Now I am a " Long Range Operator" apparently.
                  Woohoo.

                  Comment

                  • gford001
                    Ausfish Silver Member

                    • Jan 2013
                    • 474
                    #10
                    Re: Radio Protocol

                    Originally posted by D1vemaster View Post
                    Get yourself onto a Australian Waters Qualification (AWQ) course; no point having an anchor with no boat right?!

                    If your radio has DSC functionality you will need the AWQ in order to obtain your MMSI for use in your radio
                    Yeah I'll check it out. Cheers .

                    Comment

                    • outta line
                      Ausfish Gold Member

                      • Jul 2010
                      • 663
                      #11
                      Re: Radio Protocol

                      I always long on using your VMR number first but that number is only if logging on within the VMR membership zone as they will have all info on there database... Using the number eliminates the confusion if there is a few boats logged on with the same call sign..... Your call sign is more for ship to ship your rego number can also be used as call sign if you like
                      ...........GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO BAIT.........

                      Comment

                      • SkullJug
                        Ausfish Bronze Member

                        • Mar 2007
                        • 91
                        #12
                        Re: Radio Protocol

                        My best mate and I use radios when we are convoying in the fourbie and have been using the same call signs since we were about 18.

                        His call sign is "Over"
                        Mine is "Roger"

                        Comment

                        • Volvo
                          Ausfish Addict

                          • Oct 2001
                          • 3886
                          #13
                          Re: Radio Protocol

                          As previousely mentioned , if your a member of VMR you will be assigned a membership No. and so much easier using that as your call sighn. The safety in logging on when heading anywhere using your assigned NO. or whatever call sign you decide to use is that .
                          (a) They are aware you are heading off to a certain destination.
                          (b) Letting them know you have arrived or of further movement help them keep track of where you areor have been if by any chance you have an emergancy and saves one hell of a lot of hassles.
                          (c) same for when you up anchor to head off home..
                          Even if you have never had the need to use your radio fo the above you just never know whats ahead and the time taken to call in and let them know might just be the time it saves your or someone with you..
                          Radio and GPS two best things ever came out for Boaties on the safety side ey..

                          Comment

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