Marine VHF Radio

[Scott]

How many of you guys listen in on VHF Radio while you're on the ferries or ferry watching? Is it very interesting or just something to keep you occupied if you're all by yourself?

Do you use something like this?

www.eaglenav.com/Products/VHF-Radios/EHR-10/

Do most of them have connections for headphones? Is there a "code of conduct" people should be aware of before using these? The one from the above link is a two-way radio, so it could be used for more than listening... something that could be misused by irresponsible users. Does that happen frequently, or is the "listening-in" crowd quite small and responsible?

[lmtengs]

I think you need a radio-operators license to transmit. To receive radio signal, you don't need one, though.

Am I right?

[Quatchi]

Yeah you technically need a license to use them. Its like a 2 hour course and a quick test.

Cheers,

[bigferryfan]

Just remember that what you hear being transmitted should not be repeated to others. It is a code of conduct thing.

[fargowolf]

Nov 1, 2010 21:38:59 GMT -8 Quatchi said:

Yeah you technically need a license to use them. Its like a 2 hour course and a quick test.

Cheers,

If John is simply going to use it for listening to the various ferry crews, I think all he'd need is just a regular VHF radio license. No course required. Cost: About $60

I'd inquire at a reputable, local mobile two way radio dealer though, just to be certain.

[plansea]

www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/h_sf01775.html

You need an operator's certificate but no radio licence

[Northern Exploration]

It is always free and no license is necessary to get a scanner and listen to the various bands. For example the airband section is very popular for aviation geeks. Broadcasting is always the differentiator with licenses. You just need to buy a scanner that covers the frequencies you want to listen to. More and more broadcasts are encrypted for specialty radios such as emergency services. There is an aviation store near YVR that had broad range hand held scanners mostly for aviation interests but that also covered the marine band. Radio Shack used to be the go to place for these sorts of things but The Source no longer carries them.

Yes John there is a ear piece plug in on most of them. The more expensive ones $120+ have gotten quite small and are the size of a larger cell phone. My oldie but goodie is the size of a walkie talkie.

[Ferryman]

Or if you're planning on working on ships anyways, you could do what I did. Pay $600 to Industry Canada for a 3 day course for the ROC-MC ticket (Restricted Operators Certificate - Maritime Commercial). Probably one of the most boring classes I've ever sat through, next to First Aid ;D. You don't even get to use any actual radios, but instead you use simulated ones on a computer for your practical exam.

[Scott]

Thanks for all the good advice. To tell you the truth, I'm just vaguely interested in this, and probably would hardly ever have a chance to use it. What brought it to my attention is that I was looking at what my Save-On-More points could get me and right now they happen to have an Eagle hand-held VHF Radio in their clearance section at a pretty good ratio of value to points. I think I'm going to pass, but if any of you are interested, you might be able to get one with your points if you have enough!

[Curtis]

Nov 2, 2010 10:29:01 GMT -8 Ferryman said:

Or if you're planning on working on ships anyways, you could do what I did. Pay $600 to Industry Canada for a 3 day course for the ROC-MC ticket (Restricted Operators Certificate - Maritime Commercial). Probably one of the most boring classes I've ever sat through, next to First Aid ;D. You don't even get to use any actual radios, but instead you use simulated ones on a computer for your practical exam.

LOL, pretty much what Chris said. I can't say I totally learned enough from that but hey, I'm qualified for it. (guess it's "restricted" for a reason) All you really have to remember is how to make emergency calls.

(in a boring mono-tone voice)
"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is the Voyager, The Voyager, The Voyager.

[Low Light Mike]

There's a post done this afternoon in the NorEx photo-thread, of a sound file of some radio transmissions from the ship.

- based on the expertise of the people on this thread, is this post ok, or should it be removed because it's illegal to publish that file ?

please advise. Thanks !

[novabus9228]

With all due respect Mr Horn, If anyone on this board has a problem with That post which is now over 1 month since the Nor-ex sailed south, then may I suggest we remove all of the posts with the deck plans, and all pictures in regards to the life saving gear, engine room photos, etc which may be of real security concerns.

I think there are many pictures on this site which would be more of a "Security" Concern than a month old radio transmission. Yes the general Vhf Rule is "Do not tell anyone" However Keep in mind that we are all ferry fanatics and this should not be of a major concern. THERE ARE FAR MORE "Security" Concerns posted on this board that should be of a greater concern, Such as pictures of lifesaving equipment, deck layouts, etc.

You recall posts about how people should not take pictures of some "Sensitive" areas of the vessles, berths, etc, So please do not make a big deal of a harmless radio transmission. I bet you the Coast Guard and the transport Canada would be shocked at some of the pictures posted to this board.

To me, Flugel Horn this is not a issue, With all due respect, Cant we all just get along and not make a big deal of something that is not a Security threat.. Because it realy is not a big deal.

Is it Illegal to take pictures and post to the internet pictures of a ship,s Deck plans, engine room, Lifesaving equipment? then we all are guitly arnt we?

Thank you, and have a nice day
Novabus 9228

[Low Light Mike]

I'm still curious if it really is a legal issue to post recordings of radio transmissions.

I'm just wanting some discussion, for those who might want to consider the balance of laws and common sense and who are ok discussing this issue for discussion's sake.

[novabus9228]

Of course it probaly is not "Legal". But where do you want to go with this? There are many Railway Fan videos on Youtube with Radio Transmission over thier Scanner that can be heard by the viewer. Now is this person's video Illegal because it is posted over a public Communications site?

Would the CRTC, Coast Guard, Transport Canada Shut down a web site because of such a post? Likley not. What Harm is it doing? Its not like its a military secret or something that is sensitive, It is relaying vessle Traffic info Only.(In the past tense)

This is why I mentioned in my last post that pictures of the ship's "sensitive" areas and deck plans would be more of a "Legal" Concern because you never know who may find this group.

I understand that we on this board are ferry fans, and because we are ferry fans we are interested in hearing such a transmission, That we are responsible people and that we "Get it". Not to do harm, but to share our interests and passions. I personally do not see the harm in pictures or radio transmissions as long as they do not fall into the wrong hands

This video below that I shot in April from the Coastal Inspiration would then be ilegal because it has my Scanner Transmission on it,

www.youtube.com/user/Novabus9228#p/u/81/mq9GRSQ5qP8

[lmtengs]

I kinda agree with Nova here.
If this kinda stuff isn't legal, then should SiiTech be legal? With it, you can see live, up-to-the-second positions of any ship in the area. Much riskier than a radio transmission. If SiiTech got into the wrong hands, well, let's not even think about getting into that...

[Scott]

OK, I've spent a little while researching this. Here are some relevant links:

Industry Canada: www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01133.html#sect32

This makes reference to the Radiocommunications Act, Section 9 (2):

laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/R-2/page-4.html

From the first link, from the RIC-22 - General Radiotelephone Operating Procedures which applies to Marine Radio:

3.2 Privacy of Communications

Radio operators and all persons who become acquainted with radiocommunications are required to preserve the privacy of those communications. In accordance with section 9(2) of the Radiocommunication Act no person shall divulge the contents, or the existence, of communications transmitted, received or intercepted by a radio station, except as permitted by the addressee of the message or his/her accredited agent, or to authorized officials of the Government of Canada, officers of the court or an operator of a telecommunications system as is necessary to forward or deliver the communication. These restrictions do not apply to a message of distress, urgency, safety or to messages addressed to "ALL STATIONS"; (i.e. weather reports, storm warnings, etc).

As outlined in section 9.1 of the Act, any person who violates the privacy of communications is liable, on summary conviction, in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both, or, in the case of a person other than an individual, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding seventy-five thousand dollars.

So from what I can understand, you are not allowed to "divulge" vhf radio communications except under special circumstances. The penalty is up to $25,000 and/or up to one year in jail.

My response to the last few posts is that it doesn't matter what you think should be legal, it matters what the law says. I've seen no laws regarding photos of ships... I've heard concerns about it, but as far as I know there are no regulations about it. And this forum is not just "ferry fanatics". This is a "public space" and available for everyone to read

[Ferryman]

This isn't a matter of a Security breach. This is a matter of the law, and it is illegal to divulge radio communtion. Last time I checked, there's no written law for taking photos of ferry terminals. Plain and simple. No need to get in a big fuss over it, because it is what it is. This isn't the first time I've seen radio communication posted on here, and there hasn't been any issues that I know of, yet.

I wouldn't worry about any of this for now, I just wouldn't want to go overboard with posting these sorts of things on here to attract attention.

[novabus9228]

Very well then, I shall not post anymore radio coms over this forum, Even if I hear any vessle not in service movements over the radio or the scanner I will not relay that info on this forum.

[lar]

This is definitely a long shot, but this seemed like the best place to post. Does anyone have any information about the fellow who manned Comox Coast Guard radio for so many years, 20 or more years ago? He was absolutely marvelous. Responsible for a huge area, with very limited resources, filled with recreational boaters, often novices from the US who had no idea of the difference between Puget Sound and Canadian waters, he would manage. And he had endless patience. Our amusement for the afternoon was listening to the stories unfold, about which I’m sure he could write a book. “The problem then is that you are out of … WIND?”

Larry

[sergiol83]

I took my nearly purchased HX870 on a ferry. Not sure if it is "legal" to use it on the ferry, but I just took it out a couple of times to check the location. HX870 is quite amazing, found it ranking pretty high in this review bestmarineradio.com/vhf-radio/

[shadypyro]

I am thinking of getting a handheld VHF marine radio just to see if i can listen into the ferry communications. Which handheld radio should i get?

Chris.