An earlier posting about yachties abusing VHF procedures [ i.e., using 16 as a chat frequency ] simply reinforces my GOM [ grumpy ol' man ] observation that the world is going to hell in a hand basket... The whole point about marine VHF is that it is an INTERNATIONAL calling and distress net. If you get into trouble in the English Channel, the Aleutian Islands or in Sydney Harbour, the basic procedures are the same everywhere. Ch 16 is the main distress channel. Can't be any simpler. Anyone who uses it for chat is a dangerous fool. And increasingly I hear routine calls transmitted during the official silence periods after the hour and half hour.... Grump, grump grump..... *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"Peter Rattenbury" <ratten_at_uow.edu.au> > And increasingly I hear routine calls transmitted during the official > silence > periods after the hour and half hour.... Did not know that was a recognized procedure for VHF. In fact, we have used five minutes before the hour or five minutes after the hour as times to contact other paddlers, to avoid cluttering the airwaves with needless hails when the other party is not listening. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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