5 clever things a smart VHF radio can do
Modern VHF radios are becoming more than just devices used to call from one boat to anotherMarine radios have come a long way since the days of dedicated operators listening intently as they delicately turned dials to get the right frequency. These days, the systems are much more intelligent and easy to use and generally packing a lot of features that many owners probably don't even know they can tap.
That’s not to understate the importance of older HF radio systems, particularly if you’re cruising the world and need to make radio hops to far-flung places.
But for the average boat owner, VHF radio is what you’ll be using.
Shop around, and you’ll find VHF radios on the market that offer a lot more than just ship-to-ship or ship-to-land communications.
VHF radios such as the Raymarine Ray73 dual-station unit can now perform the job of several devices that you're probably not even aware of.
They can pinpoint your location in an emergency
Modern VHF radios are equipped with a service known as Digital Select Calling, or DSC, which allows you to call for help at the press of a button.
When you buy a VHF radio that can use DSC, you will need to apply to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority for a maritime mobile service identity, a unique number that you program into your radio that links to an on-land database.
The unique MMSI links your radio to the database, so as soon as rescue authorities receive a distress call they know exactly who and what they’re looking for.
However, when you apply for a MMSI you need to show proof that you’ve completed a certificate of competency to use a VHF radio via a recognised training provider.
They can let other boats know where you are
Boats use a standard known as the automatic identification standard to constantly transmit a boat’s position out on the water.
AIS signals, which include navigation and safety broadcasts from nearby boats, can then be pushed to a compatible multifunction display, a chartplotter, a radar or other instruments.
The more clever systems will even alert you if they reckon another boat is on a collision course with yours.
They can act like an intercom
Big boat, and you need to talk regularly between the flybridge and the saloon without shouting?
The more clever VHF systems can patch on extra handsets scattered around the boat so that everyone will be within hailing distance.
The remote stations can act as VHF radios, meaning a DSC distress call can be made from any one of them, but they also have an intercom function allowing you to chat via any radio connected to the system.
Some even have built-in fog horns
Fog on the water isn’t really that much of an issue in Australia, but occasionally it is.
Under maritime regulations, a boat needs to make one long sound signal every two minutes when travelling through fog that’s think enough to limit visibility.
That’s a pretty tough ask for the average recreational boat owner.
However, if you have an external speaker connected to your VHF radio so you can use it as a loudhailer, chances are it also has the foghorn function that will automatically sound a regular sound signal for you via the external speaker, taking all the guesswork out of when to flip the horn switch.
Never miss a radio transmission
The more clever VHF radios include a play-back system that allows you to re-listen to a radio transmission.
Why is this handy? Just say someone is making a distress call and runs through the GPS coordinates just as you’re reaching to grab the pen to write the numbers down.
Using the radio’s replay function, you can listen back to the message to ensure you’ve correctly written down the coordinates.
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