GETTING
STARTED
Maritime
Radio Services
Operation
The four groups you will have occasion to use are the U.S.A.
Regular Band of 52 channels, the Canadian Band of 56 channels, the International Band of 55 channels, and the Weather Band of 10 channels. Some of these are receive (listen) only, such as the weather channels.
The emergency channel 16 is restricted to hailing of other vessels, distress calls and safety purposes only. Known as the Hail and Distress Channel, it is used to contact nearby vessels and in emergencies where there is threat to life or property.
The calling or hailing channel 9 is used for establishing contact with another vessel as an alternate to channel 16. As channel 16 is often used so frequently that hailing vessels is not practical in some high traffic areas. Contact is made using channel 9 and then switched to another regular channel for exchange of information.
Maritime radio users are required to monitor channel 16, it is also advisable to monitor channel 9 and a weather channel as well. To facilitate these requirements, the VHF 725 is equipped with
Appendix C on pages 28 and 29 of this manual provides a listing of channels and the use of each, including those which are for receiving broadcast messages only.
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