Free Radio Checks You Can Do For Yourself.

[skip1930]

Here is a capital idea. No need to reach out to know if the VHF works...
Remember how you would call on VHF channel 16 or any channel for a radio check? Sometimes a response and sometimes not would be forthcoming...And maybe you'd be 'kicked' a little bit by the Coast Guard for tying up the channel?

Well no more of this captain. Now you can administrate your own radio check without involving any other boaters.

Our United States Power and Sail Squadron in Sturgeon Bay is in the process of installing this service on the copula of the Door County Maritime Museum and for this the squadron will also air a short message with each radio check.

skip.

[Bob23]

Thank you Skip for this info and for all the contributions you bring to the site.
Bob23

[jgsharpe]

Cool idea - thanks Skip!  Here's the url to find out if it is available in your area:
http://www.seatow.com/boating-safety/automated-radio-checks

[skip1930]

Well the system is up and working in Sturgeon Bay. The black box is mounted at the bellfree on the Door County Maritime Museum, plenty high enough for line-of-sight.
Do your radio check and hear what you sound like on channel 28. It plays back your radio call plus a short message about the Museum.

"Hear what you sound like"....that's funny. Some people screech into the mike, others talk too fast, a few over modulate by putting their lips on the mike, some don't transmitt long enough for a noticeable hit by those just scanning and monitoring.

Come on people. It's-->Comfort & Joy, Comfort & Joy, Comfort & Joy hailing the downtown Michigan Street Bridge, Michigan Street Bridge, Michigan Street Bridge. Over?
This is the bridge. Channel 68 Captain. Roger, 68 Over.<--

Proper radio calls could save your ship or life.

Geeeezzzzzz skip, kind of touchy aren't you?

[jamato323]

Thanks for the info and the refresher Skip....beats what I heard locally not so long ago...."breaker one six"

[Welsh Dragon Forge]

Nice. It shows one here. Now I just need to buy a radio....