Radio and Watch Keeping Information

It will be useful to learn the

How to Log-On Your Vessel by Radio

The VHF and 27 Meg. marine radios pictured below illustrate examples  of radios commonly installed on small recreational vessels.

VHF Marine Radio

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Lowrance
Picture
GME

27 Meg Marine Radio

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GME

Further Details

For more detaiied information relating to the operation of Marine Radios, click 
NSW Maritime Radio Licence Information 
and enrol in a
Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency
for VHF

Steps in Logging-On and Logging-Off Your Vessel Using Marine Radio

Often boaters feel 'un-cool' in using their marine radio - especially if doing so for the first time. "What if I make a mistake and say the wrong thing?"

DONT BE EMBARRASSED, its better to sound silly than be sorry!

Volunteers at Marine Rescue Kioloa provide the following 4 easy steps in helping you log-on and log-off your vessel by radio .

Step 1 
What will I need to know before logging-on?

Knowing the location of Marine Rescue Kioloa.
  • The radio room is on the top floor of the Base near the ramp on Scerri Drive .
  • The radio operator at the Base logs you on and off with Marine Rescue Kioloa.
Knowing about your marine radio.
  • Your vessel will be equipped with either a 27 Megahertz, or VHF digital radio. See pictures on the left for commonly found examples. Both types of radio will have:-
  1. An "on-off" switch
  2. A volume dial
  3. A dial for changing  channels (the number displayed in a screen, eg., "88", 16")
  4. A squelch dial for reducing static
  5. A microphone with a press button on the side
  6. An aerial attached to the hull of your boat                                                         
Knowing the details of your vessel
       Be ready to provide the radio operator with the following details:

             Vessel rego (YOUR CALL SIGN)
                Your name
             Car and trailer rego numbers
         Vessel details - colour and type eg., white, 5M runabout
                An on-shore contact number
         Mobile telephone number
                The number of people on board
         Your precise time of return eg.,1330
                Your approximate fishing location eg., North of Brush Is    
Join the Kioloa Radio Service Club, register all these details and receive a (KRS) call sign.

Step 2
Logging-On from your vessel

Launch your boat and when it is safely afloat:-

Turn your radio dial to on.
                  Switch dial to Channel 88 if 27 meg, or Channel 16 if VHF    

IMPORTANT: ALWAYS USE THESE CHANNELS TO LOGON AND LOGOFF          If you use working channels to logon or logoff and you are in a black spot or your home base is unattended, nobody else will hear you. Channels 16 and 88 are always monitored by someone.

Take up the mic, press the button, and say:-

"Marine Rescue Kioloa, Marine Rescue Kioloa this is (boat rego # [call sign]), over" 
              then release the button
              The radio operator at MRK will reply:-
"(boat rego #), (boat rego #) this is Marine Rescue Kioloa please switch to Channel 91 (27 Meg) /Channel 73 (VHF), and repeat your call sign, over"
                  Change the channel as requested,
                  then press the button and say  
"Marine Rescue Kioloa this is (boat rego #), over"
                  release the button
                  The radio operator at MRK will reply
 "(Boat rego #) go ahead, over"
                  you will press the button and say
"I wish to log on. I have [for example] 2 persons on board, I am fishing north of Brush Island, and my time of return is 1330, over"
                 release the button
                 The operator will                                  
" [repeat your details and ask] Is that correct?, over"
                you will press the button and say
"That is correct, over"
                release the button and
                the operator will reply
"I have you logged on, this is Marine Rescue Kioloa, out"
                press the button and you say
"This is (boat rego #) [call sign], out"
                Replace the mic, but keep the radio ON

Step 3
Using your radio during the voyage

  • ALWAYS:-
  • LISTEN IN to your radio on Channel 88 or Channel    
     16 while at sea.
  • Notify the radio operator of any change in your location, employ the contact routine used for logging-on.
  • Notify the radio operator of any change in your time of return employ the contact routine used for logging-on.
  • If you want to talk by radio with other vessels while at sea use  Channel 77 on VHF.
  • Notify the radio operator of emergencies using   
         Channel 88 (27 Meg) or Channel 16 (VHF).
  • Requesting a radio check from the radio operator ie. a check on the quality of your radio reception, as     
      follows:
           Lift the mic, press the button and say:
                   "Marine Rescue Kioloa, Marine Rescue Kioloa this is          
                (your call sign) on Channel [either] 88 [or] 16, over."
                Release the button, the radio operator will say:
                "(Your call sign) please switch to Channel 91 [or] 73                                                  and repeat your message, over."
                Change channel as requested and repeat your message.    
                Then ask the operator, as follows:
                "Marine Rescue Kioloa this is (your call sign), I       
                 request a radio check, over."
                The radio operator will then say 
                "I read you five by five (5 x 5) [5 x 5 loud and 
            clear, 4 x 5, 3 x 5, 2 x 5, 1 x 5 unclear], this is 
            Marine Rescue Kioloa, out."                    

Step 4
Logging-Off from your vessel

  • Log-off using the same routine for logging-on above.
  • Don't forget to log-off at the agreed time.
  • Wait until you are adjacent to the ramp before logging off.
  • You may also log off by Mobile Phone or by telling the radio officer at the base in person.

Don't be shy!  We look forward to your call. 

How to Log-On Your Vessel by Mobile Phone

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MRNSW provides a free smartphone app allowing boaters to Log-On automatically.
The app enables KRS Members and Non-KRS Members to Log-On with their nearest Marine Rescue Unit via their phone/tablet. The app also offers users a range of other features, including latitude/longitude position coordinates, safety information, quick access to local weather conditions and information about MRNSW.

The app has been designed as the third element of our integrated Seahawk and Radio Club management systems. It provides an ALTERNATIVE, but does NOT REPLACE, radio Log-Ons!

      CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON USING THE MOBILE APP

Do not log-off until your vessel and passengers are back safely to shore.

Don't forget to Log-Off!
Steps in Loggin-on and Logging-off by mobile phone app are captured in the following portfolio of screen shots taken during the process of logging-on and off a vessel from Kioloa Ramp planning to fish off Brush Island. Click on each image to enlarge.
marine rescue kioloa