Radio check, radio check, radio check, this is fishing vessel CharlestonFishing.com calling for a radio check on channel 16?.When was the last time you checked your VHFs transmission capabilities before heading out on the water? Even with the a digital age of cell phones and satellite phones your VHF radio still serves as your primary link to US Coast Guard, towing services, and other vessels. Perhaps the number one reason your VHF remains the primary link for emergencies is it allows multiple parties to hear your conversation so they can assist in a rescue. Furthermore if your VHF is equipped with MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity)/distress capabilities and properly interfaced with your GPS, your location, vessel type, and emergency contact information is automatically in the hands of the Coast Guard effectively accelerating rescue efforts.
The reality is, while you most likely realize the need to test your transmission, it rarely gets done perhaps due to crowded air waves or lack of response from others. Sea Tow has an automated service that will allow you to check your transmission when and wherever you would like. Checkout the full press release below from Sea Tow as well as the link to their site for a short video tutorial on the service.
Tight lines?
Captain Tim Pickett
CharlestonFishing.Com</font id=“blue”>
Automated Radio Check Service
We all know that having a functioning VHF radio on board is a necessity. Checking your radio to ensure it is working should be done every time you go out boating. In the past you used to need to make a radio check request and wait for a response, but no longer!
Now you can do it yourself with Sea Tow?s Automated Radio Check Service. Provided as a FREE public service to boating communities nationwide, Sea Tow?s innovative Automated Radio Check Service reduces the volume of non-urgent communications traffic on VHF channel 16, the international hailing and distress channel, while still allowing you to perform the che