SECTION 7
APPENDIX
7.1VHF MARINE CHANNEL USAGE GUIDE AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Most of the information found in this section is reprinted in whole or in part from FCC Information Bulletin No. 2 February 1991 and FCC Fact Sheet PR-5000 March 1990.
REMEMBER:
•Maintain a radio watch on Channel 16. Channel 16 is for distress and purposes only.
•Use VHF Channel 70 only for Digital Selective Calling (DSC), It may be for gen- eral-purpose calling using DSC. Your cooperation in not using Channel 70 for intership communications is necessary to prevent interference.
•Your VHF transceiver has a high-low power switch. Use low power whenever feasible. Unnecessary high-power operations can interfere with other important communications
•Always use your radio call sign at the beginning and end of each transmission.
•Be sure only qualified persons operate your radio. You are responsible for control of your radio. Know the rules.
•Limit calls to other vessels to 30 seconds. If you receive no reply, wait 2 minutes; then try again. Keep communications brief and avoid chit-chat.
•Never transmit false distress and never use profanity on the air.
OTHER REMINDERS
“The FCC has revised its policy on radio licensing requirements for certain ships and stations in the 1996 Telecommunications Act Maritime Provisions (FCC96-145). This new rule eliminates the individual licensing requirement for recreational ships and private aircraft operating domestically which are not required by law to carry a radio. But, the operator is still bound to abide by the FCC rules governing the operation of a marine VHF transceiver and is subject to the penalties for non- compliance. Even though the station license is now not mandatory for recreational boaters, we still strongly recommend that one be obtained. The FCC station license application fee is $75.00 and the license term is 10 years. If you plan to dock in a foreign port or leave a foreign port to dock in a U.S. port, however, you will need a station license as well as a radio operator license to operate a VHF marine radio.”
