Emergency calls is the category of greatest interest to coastal and offshore boaters. When an MMSI number has been entered into a VHF radio, and when it is connected to an operating GPS, DSC allows you to broadcast a mayday transmission to all vessels within range and, if you're within 20 to 40 nautical miles of shore, your transmission will be picked up by the Coast Guard's Rescue 21 network of shore stations.
This distress call communicates your identification and your position in one brief call. Rescue 21 comprises a series of VHF antennas located on high towers or mountains along the coast of the continental U. These antennas are connected to a network of communication stations associated with the Coast Guard sectors, which make up the Coast Guard's VHF distress system.
Rescue 21 gives Coast Guard radio watch standers several advantages:. Rescue 21 is now implemented across the country, and it's the single best reason to ensure you have a DSC radio correctly installed. There are three emergency procedure words that carry extra importance when you're communicating by radio. Through the use of these words, you will alert all mariners to the seriousness of your transmission, and to the possibility that they might be involved in lending assistance.
All three are anglicized versions of French words, and each is repeated three times in succession so that those who hear the transmission understand that they're hearing an actual call for help and not a discussion of another vessel's distress call. See additional comments on mayday relay below.
While VHF radios may have anywhere from 55 to 80 channels, there are relatively few that can be used by recreational boaters. This table lists the most common ones, but because VHF channel use is somewhat geographically specific, a few channels may be different in your home waters. The VHF channels used in Canada and Internationally may have different frequencies and different functions than those used in the U.
If you're the only person to hear a mayday call from another vessel, you may have to act as a relay to rebroadcast vital information to the Coast Guard or other rescue agencies. In that case, use the words "mayday relay. Finally, nothing is more frustrating than hearing a mayday call, then having another vessel break in with low-priority traffic. At the end of the emergency, the transmission Silence Fini pronounced "seelonce feenee" tells other mariners that normal communications can resume.
The French pronunciation helps differentiate these words from the normal stream of radio traffic, but it's certainly no time to worry about perfecting your accent. When you need help, every second counts. The goal is to broadcast the most important information as quickly and clearly as possible. After the radio transmits your position, MMSI number, and the nature of your distress, it will revert to Channel 16 so you can make a voice transmission.
The regulations require a two-step process to send a DSC distress call, so most radios will have a spring-loaded red cover over a red button. Press and hold for 5 seconds. If you don't have a DSC-equipped radio, select Channel 16 and high power 25W , press the transmit button, and say the following:. We request immediate assistance. A lifelong sailor, he has made two singlehanded passages to Hawaii, three crewed trans-Pacific races, and a World Record attempt on the west-to-east trans-Atlantic record.
He is a nationally known speaker on marine safety and one of five moderators of the US Sailing Safety at Sea Seminars. Chuck has worked for West Marine for nearly three decades and is responsible for the product content on westmarine. He lives in Santa Cruz, Calif.
If the antenna will supply only 1 TV or 2 TVs Using a 2 way signal splitter signal amplification should not be needed. From your location in Peoria AZ. If I can assist you further, please don't hesitate to contact me. Best Regards, Denny Duplessis.
Before you decide to buy my antenna please ask me if a TV antenna will work where you live by using the link below. Denny's TV Antenna Service. Washington Rd. Ithaca , MI Phone: Email dithaca msn. The commercial applications of top-in-class HF radio. Read more. Get ready for the HF Mailbox.
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Accept Read More. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. That because this adapter enables a thin connector, factory-installed, no crimps required along with easy cable run and connection. Moreover, weather swings, interference from most other electronic equipment, and LTE cell towers can temporarily cut off a VHF antenna signal.
A metal roof will affect the antenna reception and prevent it from passing through as well. These factors have to be taken into account when you mount. Compared to other antenna types, VHF antennas are claimed to be the most cost-effective unit with high portability. Many people use a marine VHF antenna to receive two-way communication and weather band signals over long distances.
Keep in mind all of the external elements that can affect and impair your VHF antenna reception when you begin to mount it. I recommend wiping off unwanted stains and dirt on the antenna body with a soft, damp cloth, and no solvents applied on. Check for its condition after every sail outs and trips. Plan up beforehand whether you need to use the antenna regularly in the following period. If not, I think you should unscrew it off the mount and store it away until the next application. No antenna construction can withstand all kinds of different weather impacts for long without degrading.
You can scroll through a bunch of marine VHF antenna reviews for the best evaluation of your targeted device. The most trusted VHF antenna brands I have mentioned above certainly have their units sold in these addresses at a fairly reasonable price range. Feel free to make a comparison between them to find out the cheapest suppliers. I hope you would be able to buy an effective VHF antenna at my suggested places. It is a must-have for your radio, truck, and TV.
After reading this article about the best VHF antenna, I expect you to find your favorite unit and buy it right away for a strong VHF reception. If you believe the information here about VHF antennas is helpful, please spread the word to your friends and family on social media. Thank you for reading this. I have a challenging time attaching the separate coax connector of the VHF antenna to its wire.
The procedure involves soldering to a connector body in 6 different places. It feels that this assembly requires a skilled technician.
Or else, the brand should have their factory to install this connector from the start. The chrome-plated ferrule is made to standards.
It enables clean audio for many VHF radios. The antenna soldering can be done by yourself. The coax connector attachment is too difficult. A beautiful centennial white color with the standard 8-foot height is properly everything you could ever ask for in a VHF antenna.
The Shakespeare 8-foot VHF antenna is not a telescopic one. Still, you can gain the best results by mounting it with the units I mentioned. Its finest application is far offshore. The VHF antenna has a plastic base that is pretty flimsy. It is not robust to sit still and hold this antenna firmly in the vertical direction.
Even the car bounces on the road is enough to result in a collapsed antenna, which is likely to break off soon. I guess that the brand should have built it with a stainless steel base. It can easily cover all marine band frequencies.
The whole required hardware is stainless steel. Made out of fiberglass with a 3 DBD gain. Provide loud and clear audio quality within a mile range. Include a ratchet mount, a cable and a connector. It is attached to a flimsy base made from plastic. I understand that the inch antenna is huge and heavyweight.
Still, a stronger base would be more satisfying for many users. Due to the size, it is ideal for large marine boats with 3 DBD gain and long-range transceiving power. However, I am not satisfied with its performance of fewer than 12 feet, which is too short and almost useless for any connection.
Usually, this RG cable for a marine antenna should be about at least 15 feet to enable a comfortable extension and simple screwing off the antenna.
The best selection for boats under 24 feet. Enable loud and clear audio from a distance. The overall sturdiness is made amazing. Its connector works with most VHF radio outlets. The supplied RG cable is less than 12 feet. I believe that it best suits areas that are near the shore because of its humble length.
It would be wrong of any users to underestimate this Shakespeare 3dB VHF antenna since it performs even finer than big models. You should quickly purchase such an antenna for your small boat communication.
While other antenna models may arrive at your door with short coaxial cables, the most noticeable problem with this Tram VHF marine antenna is the original hardware.
They are quite cumbersome as the cable length is too long, and there is no space to store the excess wire. I end up having to get a shorter version.
The stainless steel material is durable. Its 6dB gain is as effective as an 8-foot model. The metal hardware prevents rust in saltwater.
Available in a reasonably low price range. The excessive cable wire amount is too much. I see that plenty of users are keen on mounting the antenna on their pontoon boats to achieve clear, high-quality, and static-free audio when in far offshore. It is good to know that it can avoid scaling in saltwater for many seasons. A more suitable length for the connecting cable will complete its entire optimality.
The stainless steel VHF inch antenna is likely to be bent throughout the delivery process if its package is not preserved well. I managed to straighten it back to the original form, but I still believe that no one would be pleased to see such an antenna. Frequent bending is likely to lead to breakage in the future. The low profile design is good for mast mount.
Include a stainless steel bracket for mounting. The transceiving ability works up to 33 miles. Its SO connector is the female PL The model can be bent easily if unpreserved.
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