Through this program, you will learn how to use a VHF radio receiver. All boats today must be equipped with a VHF radio transceiver, which is used for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication. The main purpose of a VHF radio is safe navigation and protection of lives at sea. Be prepared!
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VHF / DSC and radiotelephony
Most boats carry a marine VHF radio transceiver which is used for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication. The main purpose of it is safety of navigation and protection of human lives at sea. Therefore, larger boats are obliged to carry it. VHF stands for Very High Frequency and it relates to the frequency of radio waves used for communication. It is sometimes also referred to as UKW (Ultrakurzwellen in German) or UKV (ultrakratki valovi in Croatian), which stands for ultrashort waves. It operates on standard internationally agreed frequencies which are known as channels. Two transceivers (stations) can communicate only if they are operating on the same channel.
Frequencies used for VHF communication range from 156 MHz to 163 MHz. The channels are designated with numbers from 1 to 28 and from 60 to 88. Channels from 29 to 59 do not exist. Channel 16 (frequency 156.8 MHz) is international distress and call channel. This is the most important channel which is used for initiating communication with other stations and it should always be monitored during sailing.
Important VHF channels
Channel No. Description
16 International distress and call channel
6, 8, 72, 77 Ship-to-ship communication
10 Croatian harbor masters
13 Safety information and distress communication
17 Croatian marinas
In Croatia, there are three official coast radio stations (CRS) which cover the Croatian territorial waters: Rijeka Radio, Split Radio and Dubrovnik Radio. CRSs constantly listen for distress calls and they provide other services like broadcasting weather forecasts, broadcasting navigational warnings, relaying ship-to-shore telephone calls, etc. Each CRS uses several antennas which are placed on different sites in order to cover a wider area. Meteorological reports and navigational warnings in Croatian and English are transmitted in designated times.
A VHF radio signal spreads only in straight lines and it cannot pass through solid objects. Therefore, a range of VHF signal is limited by curvature of the Earth and by elevations on the land.
Every boat carrying this radio must have an official permit for it and every person operating it must have a valid radiotelephony license.
Where: A.N.A., Obala sv.Ivana bb, Jezera, otok Murter, classroomDuration: 4 hoursStart: 9:30 amEnd: 1:30 pmTopis of the program:
- VHF service Croatian coastal radio stations
- VHF unit – appearance and operation
- VHF communication procedures
- Special procedures
- Distress call (MAYDAY)
- Urgency call (PAN PAN)
- Safety call (SECURITE)
- Priority in radio traffic
- Spelling alphabet
- Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
DATES AND PRICES