Can the CG find you just by your VHF Transmission?

[Morpheus]

The reason I ask this is over the weekend there were alot of idiots using 16 for general conversation (guess cause it's getting close to the 4th the idiots are coming out on their boats more).

Of course the CG was barking at them to stop and I could tell the CG radio person was actually getting pretty agravated.

So that leads us to my question can they find these idiots and do something about them. They keep telling the morons to take it off 16 but doesn't seem like there is any way to prevent it.

 

[Four Suns]

yes

 

[Morpheus]

Even if my antenna is at a 45 degree angle? (haha)

Seriously though, they do some kind of antenna triangulation or something. Coming down the ICW this morning there were a few hundred boats seems like it would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

 

[sprink56]

They can but it involves a triangulation with the boat transmitting and a USCG vessel in the water nearby. Picking one boat out on open water is easy but picking one out in a crowd is tough.

I have heard Coast Guard West Palm and Coast Guard Miami threaten to do this on the air when the chatter becomes excessive on 16. Using 16 for BS (other than a quick location request then switch to 68) is rude and dangerous. What I don't understand is, if they are near shore why not use the cell phone:huh:

 

[Nehalennia]

The newer Rescue 21 system is still being installed around the country. The program has given the USCG the equipment to triangluate the common VHF signals.
The integration of our GPS units tied in offering DSC connects our radios to the USCG sending our exact position.
I've been in the USCG's command center here in Seattle(for work) and it's amazing.
I've asked about if the can find the morons playing on the radio. They said they can get a pretty good pinpoint.
Last summer I was on Lake Stevens and called my cousin on his boat via VHF and was promptly requested by the USCG not to broadcast because I was not in a navigable waterway. I had no idea.
Also last summer I had just connected my VHF to GPS and asked the USCG at the dock if there was a way I can test it. The Officer asked if I had my radio on, I said yes. He said he couldn't see me, which made me think they can see all properly connected DSC capable radios. I scratched my head thinking I didn't have the wiring connected properly then saw the GPS was off.

http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/rescue21/project.asp

 

[Morpheus]

I see good stuff. I actually enjoy just listening (not to the BS) but to the real stuff which has been very educational as to the proper way to use the VHF.

 

[Morpheus]

The newer Rescue 21 system is still being installed around the country. The program has given the USCG the equipment to triangluate the common VHF signals.
The integration of our GPS units tied in offering DSC connects our radios to the USCG sending our exact position.
I've been in the USCG's command center here in Seattle(for work) and it's amazing.
I've asked about if the can find the morons playing on the radio. They said they can get a pretty good pinpoint.
Last summer I was on Lake Stevens and called my cousin on his boat via VHF and was promptly requested by the USCG not to broadcast because I was not in a navigable waterway. I had no idea.
Also last summer I had just connected my VHF to GPS and asked the USCG at the dock if there was a way I can test it. The Officer asked if I had my radio on, I said yes. He said he couldn't see me, which made me think they can see all properly connected DSC capable radios. I scratched my head thinking I didn't have the wiring connected properly then saw the GPS was off.

http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/rescue21/project.asp

I only have a hand held at the moment but installing a VHF with a larger (straight) antenna and connecting the DSC to the GPS is on my list of things to do (such a long list).

So your saying your not allowed to use your VHF from a lake or just not 16?

 

[Robski97]

Unrelated but over the past year CG has asked all radio checks to go channel 9.

First if u ask for a radio check and u get the CG telling u to go to channel nine .NEWS FLASH THE RADIO WORKS.

Here on long Island u go to channel 9 for a radio check u never get an answer....


Rob

 

[Four Suns]

I do a radio check on Ch 16 all the time... Works like this:

Four Suns: This is Four Suns calling Coast Guard Hampton Roads. Over.
Coast Guard Hampton Roads: This is Coast Guard Hampton Roads, go ahead Four Suns. Over.
Four Suns: Coast Hampton Roads, nevermind... thought we had an issue but we don't. Over and out.

 

[Nehalennia]

I only have a hand held at the moment but installing a VHF with a larger (straight) antenna and connecting the DSC to the GPS is on my list of things to do (such a long list).

So your saying your not allowed to use your VHF from a lake or just not 16?

In USCG's sector "Seattle" and Port Angeles group they have jurisdiction over the navigable waterways, which in this case includes the rivers and Lake Washington(which is on the east side of Seattle). It's an active commercial body of water. Anyway, other lakes that are governed by counties or local municipalities are not connected to any of the "working" waterways so the USCG doesn't want VHF being broadcast from their.

BTW, some handheld VHF units have DSC/GPS built in. Very handy if you don't intend to install a fixed mounted unit.

 

[fwebster]

The local CG station tape records all VHF traffic. In at least one instance, an Auxilarist in the station recognized the boat involved in a VHF violation and they were able to track the guy down. His wife and dinner guests weren't happy when the CG showed up at his door the next night for a "discussion".

 

[Morpheus]

I do a radio check on Ch 16 all the time... Works like this:

Four Suns: This is Four Suns calling Coast Guard Hampton Roads. Over.
Coast Guard Hampton Roads: This is Coast Guard Hampton Roads, go ahead Four Suns. Over.
Four Suns: Coast Hampton Roads, nevermind... thought we had an issue but we don't. Over and out.

:smt043

In USCG's sector "Seattle" and Port Angeles group they have jurisdiction over the navigable waterways, which in this case includes the rivers and Lake Washington(which is on the east side of Seattle). It's an active commercial body of water. Anyway, other lakes that are governed by counties or local municipalities are not connected to any of the "working" waterways so the USCG doesn't want VHF being broadcast from their.

BTW, some handheld VHF units have DSC/GPS built in. Very handy if you don't intend to install a fixed mounted unit.

Yea I looked at those but I'd like to go ahead and get a fixed mount probably a icom or standard horizon with a remote mic The only problem with the handheld is I can't hear it when on plane even with it turned all the way up.

 

[Hampton]

:smt043
Yea I looked at those but I'd like to go ahead and get a fixed mount probably a icom or standard horizon with a remote mic The only problem with the handheld is I can't hear it when on plane even with it turned all the way up.

You aren't holding it close enough.

 

[Morpheus]

You aren't holding it close enough.

Should I tape it to my ear? :grin:

I do pick it up when someone starts bark'n but I've missed half of what they said by the time I get it up to my ear.

 

[Four Suns]

The handhelds are worth a sh!t for transmitting... get a small perma-mount job with 25 watts of power and a small 4' whip antenna... it'll actually work (unless it's Raymarine).

 

[Turtlesboat]

:smt043



Yea I looked at those but I'd like to go ahead and get a fixed mount probably a icom or standard horizon with a remote mic The only problem with the handheld is I can't hear it when on plane even with it turned all the way up.

Sure you can, I have a little standard horizon handheld with a remote mic. I clip the mic to my shirt and the sound comes out of the mic. i'll make your ear bleed if I put it to up to your ear.

 

[Nehalennia]

Check this story out.
A local kid 20 miles inland got his parents in trouble....big time.
[urlhttp://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_081808WAB_false_distress_call_SW.d820728.html]7-year-old boy admits making hoax call to Coast Guard[/url]