Ted Koppel

Communication in Land and Sea

It is important to have a high quality communication system on board to ensure safety for boaters. Before you set out, it is advisable to ensure the vessel has multiple devices for communication, so that it can be used to transmit emergency signals while on board.

It is important to have a high quality communication system on board to ensure safety for boaters. Before you set out, it is advisable to make sure the vessel has multiple devices for communication, so that it can be used to send out emergency signals while on board. Very often, many boaters lose their life, as they do not have equipment to send out an emergency signal and they do not get timely help.

Some of the important communications equipment that enables efficient communication while on the water is discussed below:

Marine VHF Radio: This equipment is usually installed on all boats and is used for a range of purposes. It is mainly used to communicate with other boaters or the nearest marina or service facility. It is also a very useful device for summoning rescue service. The VHF radio that operates in the VHF frequency between 156 and 174The VHF radio that operates in the VHF frequency between 156 to 174 MHZ is widely used for avoiding collision of ships at sea MHZ is vastly used for avoiding collision of boats at sea. Marine VHF Radio mostly works on the principle of 'simplex' transmission, where communication takes place in only one direction at a time.

VHS with DSC: Many newer VHS radios are not available with DSC. The DSC DISTRESS function when activated transmits a digital MAYDAY including vessel identification, Latitude / Longitude and time (with GPS connected), to facilitate prompt response. Another advantage of the DCS is the ability to easily share position information with other DSC equipped vessels using the position request and position sharing functions. With the push of a few buttons you can request the position of another vessel, or simply send your position information to the vessel you select.

Handheld Radio: While not a requirement a hand held VHF radio can serve as an inexpensive spare radio in case of a malfunction of the installed radio. Portable VHF radios are usually water resistant, and can generally be used as an emergency communication devise in the event of a ditching. They also include all of the NOAA weather broadcasting stations.

Speakers: Marine speakers, unlike the ordinary speakers, are of much higher standards. They are specifically built to withstand harsh conditions of the sea. Amplifiers, speakers, subwoofers make up a complete marine entertainment speaker system. The main behind load hailer speakers is to make announcements and instructions so everybody hears them. The loud hailer can also be used as a fog signaling devise.

Single Sideband Radiotelephone: This high-powered radio is an ideal tool, which is used for long range communications usually by long distance cruisers and commercial operators. The radiotelephones are constructed in a way that they withstand the rigors of the seas. Some radiotelephones also have emailing capabilities. Operation of a Single Side Band radio requires a Ham Radio license. Most of the newer Single Side Band radios have Digital Signal Processing (DSP) virtually eliminates noise and interference and operate on 1300 channels.

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