RADIO COMMUNICATION BASIS

ING. CÉSAR MÁRQUEZ

 Radio Communication https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQcbLwGT8w0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-up0o96Vhw
▪ Radio communication known as “Radio Telephony (RT)” uses a “Radio Transmitter
(TX)” to send out radio waves every time you send a message on a certain frequency
and a “Radio Receiver (RX)” to receive the radio waves at the same frequency.
▪ Radio waves consist of electro-magnetic energy in specific bands within the radio
frequency spectrum.
▪ The radio spectrum is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum, it goes from 3,000
Hertz (Hz) to 300 GigaHz. Therefore, electromagnetic waves within this frequency
range are called radio waves.
▪ Radio waves are extremely used in modern technology, particularly in
telecommunication. For that matter, to prevent interference between different
users, the generation and transmission of radio waves is strictly regulated by
national laws, coordinated by an international body, the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU).
 Radio Communication
▪ Frequency of an electromagnetic wave: is the number of occurrences of a wave per
second. For example, marine VHF RT works in the VHF part of the marine radio
frequency spectrum, which extends between 30 MHz to 300 MHz.
▪ Wavelength of an electromagnetic wave: is the distance between one crest of the
wave and the next one, it can go from kilometer to nanometers. The wavelength of
frequencies within the radio frequency spectrum is obtained by the following
relationship:
𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟔
𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒘𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒖𝒎 (𝟑𝟎𝟎 )
▪ F= 𝒔
𝑾𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉
 Example

▪ What is the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave with a frequency of

160 MHz?
▪ Given:
▪ Frequency = 160 MHz
▪ Speed of the electromagnetic wave in vacuum = 300 x 𝟏𝟎𝟔

𝟑𝟎𝟎 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝐦/𝐬

▪ 𝑾𝑳 = = 𝟏. 𝟖𝟕𝟓 𝐦
𝟏𝟔𝟎 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝟏/𝐬
 Different Type of Radio Waves
Propagation
▪ There are three types of radio waves propagation:
1. Line of Sight Propagation
2. Ground Waves Propagation
3. Sky Waves Propagation
 Line of Sight (LoS) Propagation
Line-of-Sight (LoS) propagation is a characteristic of electromagnetic radiation in which two
stations can only transmit and receive data signals when they’re in direct view of each other with
no obstacles in between. Satellite and microwave transmission are two common examples of LoS
communication.
This type of propagation would be fine if the earth were flat. However, it is round, meaning that
high-frequency waves being propagated from a transmitter in a straight line would eventually
become tangential to the earth's curved surface, causing them to shoot into space. As a result, a
station positioned beyond the distance at which the signal just touches the earth’s surface (i.e.,
becomes tangential) would not be able to receive this transmission.
 Linge of Sight (LoS) Propagation
LoS propagation will only work if a receiver is positioned within the circular region surrounding the
transmitter, whose radius needs to be equal to the signal’s tangential distance. The higher up the
transmitter is, the further out the LoS propagation distance will be. This is why TV transmission
antennas are positioned so high up on a TV tower. In most cases, these towers are put on a hill to
give signals a larger coverage area.
To overcome the limitations of LoS propagation brought about by the earth’s curvature, as well as
geographical obstacles that may get in the way of transmission, additional technologies and a
combination of different effects are usually incorporated. For instance, mobile phone signal
transmission adopts a slight variation of LoS by integrating local repeaters to boost the signal,
multipath reflection, rapid handoff, and diffraction.
Above 30 MHz the predominant propagation mechanism is by straight-line paths; therefore, VHF
radio and above used LoS propagation, reducing the range until the visible horizon.
 Range of an Antenna
▪ The range of radio communications (distance from antenna to the visible
horizon) is calculated by the following formula:
▪ Range of an Antenna (NM) = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 𝒙 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒂 (𝒎)
▪ Example: Calculate the range of a 30 m tall antenna
▪ 𝑹𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 𝒙 𝟑𝟎 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟑𝟐 𝑵M
 Range between 2 Antennas
▪ When calculating the range between 2 antennas, the range of both
antennas has to be taken in consideration.
▪ 𝑹𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑨𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝟏 − 𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 𝒙 ( 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝟏 + 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝟐)
▪ Example: Calculate the range of a 30 m tall antenna with a 62 m tall
antenna.
▪ 𝑹𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑨𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝟏 − 𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 𝒙 𝟑𝟎 + 𝟔𝟐 = 𝟑𝟎. 𝟎𝟒 𝒏𝒎
▪ In order to have communication between antennas there must be a clear
view from antenna 1 to antenna 2; therefore, the antennas fitted on
vessels must be at the highest point of the ship, clear from any structure to
maximize the range between the antennas.
 Range between 2 Antennas
▪ The range of radio communications at sea may vary greatly between
different types of vessels and the Coast Radio Station (CRS). The variation is
caused by the varying heights of antennas (h) in use. Some vessels are
bigger than others therefore the bigger ship will have a higher antenna
thus a wider range.
▪ This means that if two ships (one bigger than the other) at the same
distance from a CRS, it might be possible that only the bigger vessel can
communicate with the CRS due to the height difference of the antenna.
 Where to Install the Antenna?
▪ The VHF antenna should be fitted at the highest point of a vessel to get the
greatest possible radio range, for example on the masthead of a sailing
vessel.

▪ An emergency antenna is recommended to be carried because accidents

can happen that could lead to the damage or loss of the antenna.
 Ground Wave Propagation
Ground waves are radio waves propagating parallel to and adjacent to the surface of the Earth,
following the curvature of the Earth beyond the visible horizon.
The normal line-of-sight distance to the horizon is about 50 to 60 miles at best, for an antenna on
a tall tower. But signals at medium or low frequency are observed to travel several hundred miles
beyond the horizon, up to several thousand miles in some cases. This "hugging the ground" effect
is called ground wave, as opposed to direct wave or sky wave.
Lower frequency radio waves, below 3 MHz, travel efficiently as ground waves. In ITU
nomenclature, this includes (in order): medium frequency (MF), low frequency (LF), very low
frequency (VLF), ultra low frequency (ULF), super low
frequency (SLF), extremely low frequency (ELF) waves.
 Ground Wave Propagation
Ground propagation works because lower-frequency waves are more strongly diffracted around
obstacles due to their long wavelengths, allowing them to repeatedly bend downward to follow the
Earth's curvature.

MF communications depend mainly on ground – wave propagation but with further reduction in range
because of the increased effect of attenuation by the earth.

Attenuation of the earth is the process in which a

ground wave losses its strength as it travel through a
medium. As a ground wave passes over the ground, the
wave induces a voltage in the Earth. The induced
voltage takes energy from the wave, thereby weaking,
or attenuating, the wave as it moves away from the Tx.

Conductivity of the surface affects the propagation

of ground waves, with more conductive surfaces such
as sea water providing better propagation.
 Sky Wave Propagation
Skywave or skip refers to the propagation of radio waves reflected or refracted back toward Earth from
the ionosphere, an electrically charged layer of the upper atmosphere. Since it is not limited by the
curvature of the Earth, skywave propagation can be used to communicate beyond the horizon, at
intercontinental distances.
Basically, electromagnetic waves in the ranges of 3 to 30 MHz (High Frequency Waves) get reflected by
the ionosphere. However, the signals with frequency beyond 30 MHz despite undergoing reflection
gets penetrated.
 Sky Wave Propagation
Why do we need Sky Wave Propagation?
Radio waves between 3 – 30 MHz (HF radio waves) have smaller wavelengths
reducing their ability to pass through an obstacle or through and opening and
does not get diffracted making these waves not suitable for ground waves.
Furthermore, ground waves get attenuated by the earth’s surface reducing
the range of communications.

Sky waves are not affected by the ground increasing the range of
communication of higher frequencies between two antennas. This process
happens by reflections of waves from the ionosphere.
 Structure of Ionosphere
Ionosphere is the upper atmospheric region and is composed of ionized
layers. Generally, the ionosphere has 4 different layers:
1. D Layer
2. E Layer
3. F1 Layer
4. F2 Layer
 Structure of Ionosphere
Each layer has different concentration of atoms in a way that the ionized layer closest to the
surface of the earth has the highest number of neutral atoms making this layer denser. The middle
layer has a fair quantity and the farthest layer from the earth’s surface has the lowest number of
neutral atoms hence the less dense layer.
We are already aware of the fact that the sun emits powerful cosmic rays. So, due to a smaller
number of neutral atoms in the outermost layer, most of the cosmic rays penetrate the inner
surface of the atmosphere without even interacting with the atoms present there. However, as the
inner layer is slightly denser than the outer one so here interaction between cosmic rays and
atoms takes place.
Moreover, this interaction between cosmic rays and the atoms increases tremendously in the E
layer of the ionosphere, as this layer has a greater number of atoms. But on penetrating to such a
level inside the earth’s atmosphere, the intensity of the cosmic rays reduces to a large extent.
Hence very few cosmic rays interact with the innermost layer of the ionosphere although this layer
is denser than other layers.
Structure of Ionosphere
 Structure of Ionosphere
So, when cosmic rays interact with the atoms present in the ionospheric layers then electrons are
emitted from the valence shell of the atom. Thus, ionization takes place. And as interaction is
higher in the case of middle layers of the atmosphere, therefore, ionization will be higher in that
layer itself. After the ionization happened this layer will have the maximum amount of charged
particles.

We know that electromagnetic waves are composed of electric and magnetic fields. Also, the
charged particles present in the layers of the ionosphere have their own electric field. So, when
EMW is allowed to be propagated through the earth’s atmosphere then the field of the EMW and
the charged particles interact with each other. And this leads to cause reflection of the
electromagnetic wave by the atmosphere.
Structure of Ionosphere
 Structure of Ionosphere
It is to be noted here that the field in the atmospheric layer must be sufficiently large so that it can
allow reflection of the electromagnetic waves through it. This is so because it may be possible that
a high-frequency wave may not be reflected by the lower region of the ionosphere.
So, we can say this as a low-frequency wave is reflected by the lower layer and the high-frequency
wave is reflected by the upper layer. But beyond a certain permissible frequency (generally 30
MHz) the wave despite getting reflected penetrates the atmospheric region and is lost.
Hence sky wave propagation is suitable for the frequency range from 3MHz to 30 MHz. But for
signal frequency greater than 30 MHz, space wave propagation is used.
An important factor of ionospheric wave propagation is – skip distance. And skip distance is
defined as the minimum distance on the surface of the earth from where the signal is transmitted
and the reflected signal from the ionosphere has been received.
 Main Components of a Radio
▪ The main components of a radio consist of:
▪ A receiver (RX) with an earphone and loudspeaker
▪ A transmitter (TX) with a microphone – the microphone and the
earphone are often combined into a single handset.
▪ A DSC controller
▪ An antenna enabling both simplex and duplex operation.
▪ Power supply – often a 12 or 24 volts battery.
 Where to Install the Radio??
▪ Take into consideration the following recommendations to choose the place
where the radio will be installed:
▪ Clear of weather and direct sunlight
▪ Clear of the engine or any other machine that can cause noises, vibrations or
any other background noise that will affect the hearing of the operator
▪ Enough space for allowing the use and the reading of the radios’ controls
easily
▪ At least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) away of any compasses, whether magnetic or
electronic.
▪ Usually is sited in the cabin of a small vessel or on the bridge of a larger vessels.
Waterproof extension speaker sited close to the steering position is
recommended that allows the person on watch to monitor also the radio.
 Linking to a Navigation Source
▪ It is fully recommended to link the radio to an external navigation
source, for example a GPS or chartplotter. This way a radio can acquire
the position and time. This is very important in distress situations.
 Elements of a Radio
▪ The elements of a radio are:
▪ Power ON/OFF: connects the radio to its power supply. For some equipment's there
is a dedicated push button control but for more portable equipment it is combined
with the volume control.
▪ Volume control: makes the level of sound higher or lower from the loudspeaker or
handset earphone.
▪ Backlight (dimmer): all radios require some form of illumination for the display and
controls if they are to be operated in different light levels, that is day/night. This is
obtained by the “DIM” or a light symbol control.
▪ Press to talk (PTT): is usually mounted on one side of the microphone or in the
middle of the handgrip of a telephone style handset. To operate correctly, you have
to press it in order to switch the radio from receive mode to transmit mode and
release it in order to revert mode. The symbol TX (transmitting) or RX (receiving)
appears on the display during broadcast or reception.
 Elements of a Radio
▪ Squelch / mute: is either a rotating or push button control, which affects the sensitivity of the
receiver, that sets the level of the incoming radio signals. Therefore, it can affect the radio’s
ability to receive incoming signals. It does not affect the volume of the audio signal heard
through the loudspeaker or handset earphone. Turning the squelch up reduces the sensitivity
of the receiver and vice versa. With the squelch turned down the receiver will detect lots of
very weak signals, including static and atmospheric noise, which produces cracking or hissing
noises through the loudspeaker or handset earphone when no voice signal is being received.
This is a very useful indication of whether the volume control is set to the optimum level in
order to receive information clearly. However, one could not put up with this background
noise for very long so by adjusting the squelch control up there will come a point at which the
background noise hiss suddenly stops. This is the correct setting for the squelch control, that
is, the receiver sensitivity has been reduced sufficiently to eliminate unwanted signals and
noise but will still be able to receive wanted signals. Turning the squelch up further will reduce
sensitivity of the receiver still more and can result in the loss of weak wanted signals.
 Elements of a Radio
▪ Transmitter power button: radios have dedicated “1/25”, “1w/25w” or “Lo/Hi” button that
toggles between full power and low power.
▪ Dual watch: continuous watch on Channel 16 is necessary whilst at sea. It may also be
necessary to monitor another channel at the same time for example, a port harbor operations
channel. Selecting dual watch by “DW” or “D/W” control allows the radio to monitor the
working channel and channel 16 alternately.
▪ Tri watch: is available for most radios and operates on the same principle as dual watch, but
this function allows the operator to monitor the working channel, channel 16 and the user
channel in a rapidly sequence.
▪ Scan: whilst at sea all vessels should maintain continuous watch on channel 16. This facility
allows the operator to monitor channel 16 and any number of another channel in a rapidly
changing sequence.
▪ Memory (Scan): like the scan function, will cycle radio sequentially through the channels, but
only those which have been preselected.
 Handheld Radio
▪ A handheld radio is usually used as a backup to a fixed one, for internship
communications on large vessels and for use in a life raft, because it is a completely
self contained unit.
▪ Compared with a fixed radio, any handheld radio suffers three disadvantages:
▪ Limited battery capacity. Use low power when transmitting whenever possible
and speak clearly that you will be understood the first time because
transmitting consumes battery power rapidly.
▪ Very limited range of radio communications:
▪ The antenna is a part of a handheld radio itself, it’s height is very low.
▪ To preserve battery power, high power in handhelds is only 5 watts
compared to 25 watts on a fixed radio.
▪ They don’t have a DSC controller.
 Radio Channels
▪ Radio channels are individual frequencies in which two radios
communicate. There are two types of radio channels:
▪ Simplex
▪ Duplex
▪ The individual frequencies for each channel and whether they operate as
either simplex or duplex mode, have been allocated by international
agreements. There are exceptions, which have been allocated by the USA
for example, where some channels in the international scheme are duplex,
in the USA version they are simplex. Consequently, marine radios have a
special USA function which enables the appropriate transfer to the correct
channels when working in USA coastlines.
 Simplex Channels
▪ Simplex is the communication method where both transmitter and receiver
are operating on a single (or the same) frequency. On simplex channels is
not possible to transmit and receive simultaneously. Therefore, the
communication is in one direction, , but that may be reversible; this is
termed half duplex in other contexts. Simplex channels are mainly used for
Distress, Urgency, Safety and Routine calling purposes, port pilotage,
harbor and inter ship operations. Because a single frequency is used, there
is no privacy as we can be heard on other radios.
 Duplex Channels
▪ Duplex channels are normally used for communication between vessels
and CRS and for port operations and ship movement. A duplex
communication channel requires two simplex channels operating in
opposite directions. With duplex channels out transmission can only be
heard by the CRS. However, all ship stations listening to the same channel
can hear the CRS transmission. On duplex channels it is possible to transmit
and receive like a normal telephone but this requires a duplex radio and
two antennas or a special duplex filter that is mounted only on larger
vessels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKCDLk9irkQ
 Transmitter Power
▪ The maximum power or high power, which can be legally transmitted by a
marine radio is 25 watts. When reliable communications are available (no
interference) and with the ship’s antenna sited as high as possible, its perfectly
satisfactory to use less transmitter power (if you want to communicate within 10
NM). The advantage for the user is that there is less drain on the radio’s power
source. However, the main advantage of using less power is that by reducing the
range over which one’s vessel transmissions can be heard, it allows other a few
nautical miles away, to utilize the same channel. Another important advantage is
the possibility to avoid capture effect. For these reasons, all marine radios must
be able to transmit on a reduced or low power setting of 1 watt.
▪ For onboard communications, the power setting should always be on low power.
 Capture Effect
▪ When a radio is not being used as a transmitter, it is simply a receiver
and it will lock on to the strongest signal it receives. For example, 1
NM away from our vessel are two vessels which are transmitting on
the same channel at the same time. One of them is transmitting on
high power and the other one is transmitting on low power. Our
vessels will be able to hear only the signal coming from the vessel
transmitting in high power.

▪ For this reason, your vessel should first try to transmit on low power
and only if you are unsuccessful you may try on high power.
 Digital Selective Calling
▪ One of the greater disadvantage of a radio is that is not able to “address” to a
particular radio. A voice broadcast over radio can be heard by all other radios
in the range.

▪ To solve this issue radios integrates a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) controller.
Its function can be regarded as a cross between a normal telephone and a
radio.

▪ DSC controller or modem, which simply sends a burst of digital code, will
automatically “ring” the other radio with DSC. This is feasible because each
DSC controller has allocated a unique MMSI number that acts like telephone
number.
 Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
▪ A maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) is a unique 9 digit number and acts
in the same way as a telephone number. The MMSI allows the radio operator
to make automatic calls through the DSC radio and is the identity that is
automatically transmitted within DSC calls.
▪ These MMSI number are issued by the appropriate authorities in the country
of registration of the vessel and can be referenced back to a database of
information about the vessel and it’s owners and so forth. So, the MMSI
belongs to the vessel. Also CRSs have their own MMSI because they have their
own DSC radio and could be called by any vessel DSC radio.
▪ The MMSI is programmed into the DSC radio by the supplier.
 Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
▪ Before a new DSC radio could be used on a vessel, the following
procedure must be taken:
▪ If a vessel already has its own MMSI number, then its MMSI
number should be programmed by an authorized radio supplier.
▪ If a vessel doesn’t have its own MMSI number, then the owner
must apply for a MMSI number at the appropriate authority. When
the MMSI number is assigned, it should be programmed by an
authorized radio supplier.
 Maritime Identification Digit (MID)
▪ For ship stations the first three digits are known as the MID, they indicate
nationality, for example: MIDs allocated to United Kingdom are 232,233,234
and 235. The last six digits uniquely identify the individual vessel. MID xxxxxx
▪ For example: Cunard Lines Queen Mary 2 MMSI number is 235 762000.

▪ For CRS the first two digits of the MMSI number are always 00, followed by
the 3 digit MID nationality indicator, followed by the individual station
number. 00 MID xxxx
▪ For example: Palermo Italy CRS MMSI number is 00 247 0002
 Maritime Identification Digit (MID)
▪ For a group of stations the first digit of the MMSI number is always 0,
followed by the 3 digits MID nationality indicator, followed by the group
station number. Group MMSIs are usually acquired by companies for their
fleet, or by category of operation or by nationality. The group MMSI is an
additional MMSI to the MMSI of a vessel and it is used to call all vessels at
the same time with one call. 0 MID xxxxx
▪ For example: UK Royal National Lifeboat Group MMSI number is 0 232 00002.

▪ All MIDs are available in this website:

▪ https://www.egmdss.com/gmdss-courses/mod/page/view.php?id=350
 Digital Selective Calling
▪ DSC alerts are used to “switch people on” to follow on with voice
communication.
▪ DSC is used for a number of reasons:
▪ Automatic rather than manual radio watch keeping is available.
▪ Alerts using DSC are very quick (about 0.5 seconds on the dedicated
frequency on marine VHF band) and do not occupy as much time as a
manual voice call. This is very important particularly in areas where channels
are often occupied.
▪ Distress alerting can be enabled quickly with one press of the “Distress” push
button.
▪ Various categories of alerts are available: Distress, Urgency, Safety and
Routine.
 Digital Selective Calling Alerts
▪ The following DSC alerts are available:
▪ All Ships: an alert to all ships received within range of the station
sending the alert.
▪ Individual: an alert addressed and received by only one radio station
within range.
▪ Group: an alert addressed and received by all those vessels having
the group MMSI within range.
▪ GEO: an alert to a specified geographical area received by all stations
within that area.
 Digital Selective Calling Alerts
▪ The types of DSC alerts are related to a particular category or priority:
▪ Distress: indicates that a person or a ship is in grave or imminent danger and
requires immediate assistance (highest priority usually broadcast to all stations)
▪ Urgency: indicates an urgent call concerning the safety of a person or vehicle
(can be broadcast to all ships, a geographical area or to an individual station)
▪ Safety: indicates a call concerning meteorological forecast/broadcast or
navigational warning (can be broadcast to all ships, a geographical area or to an
individual station)
▪ Routine: indicates a call at the lowest priority concerning routine
communication, such as setting up of an RT link call via a CRS to a shore based
subscriber (normally broadcast to all ships or to an individual station)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga6WdGkaeNM
 Digital Selective Calling Advantages
▪ Digital Selective Calling (DSC) has many advantages compared to the traditional
system based on oral communications:
▪ The information is transmitted in digital form, not spoken, avoiding the
possibility of oral interference by other radios
▪ The distress alert is made with immediacy and safe delivery
▪ The distress alert is automatically transmitted, making it possible to handle
other tasks during the emergency
▪ The distress alert is automatically repeated to all the stations (ashore and
vessels). A Coast Station which receives a DSC distress alert will send an
"acknowledgment" (known as "ACK") and will implement appropriate
procedures in order to launch Search and Rescue operations with a minimum of
delay
 Digital Selective Calling Advantages
▪ The distress alert automatically includes the identification number (MMSI) of
the vessel. The MMSI enables to the coast station that receives the call to have
information (name, characteristics, etc.) of the vessel in distress (there is a
worldwide MMSI Directory that allows to identify each vessel).
▪ If the radio device is connected to a GPS, the position of the vessel is
automatically included in the alert
▪ The distress alert is received by any vessel having a DSC equipment on board,
giving zonal universality to the distress alert
▪ In addition to Distress alerts, DSC includes other kinds of calling: Security,
Urgency, Routine, Distress Relay, Position Request
 Call Signs
▪ Call Sign is a unique alphanumeric identity that belongs to the vessel and acts in
the same way as a registration number of a car. Therefore, the Call Signs allows the
distinguishing between two vessels with the same name. It is used in voice calling
procedures in radio communications.
▪ These Call Signs are issued by the appropriate authorities in the country of
registration of the vessel and can be referenced back to a database of information
about the vessel and the owners.
▪ If a vessel doesn’t have a Call Sign allocated, the owner must apply for a Call Sign at
the appropriate authority before a new radio could be used on a vessel.
▪ Each Call Sign begins with an alphanumeric prefix that indicates nationality, e.g.
prefix allocated to the UK are 2,G,M, VP-VQ, VS, W, ZB-ZI, ZN-ZO, and ZQ. The
prefix is usually followed by 2 to 3 alphanumeric characters.
 Call Signs
▪ For example: Cunard Lines Queen Mary II Call Sigin is W6RO.

▪ Also CRS, have their own Call Sign with the nationality indicator because they have
their own radio and could be called by any vessel.

▪ For example: the Niton CRS in UK Call Sign is GNI.

▪ All Call Signs prefixes are available in this website:

▪ https://www.egmdss.com/gmdss-courses/mod/page/view.php?id=349
 Recommendations of Radio Communications
▪ When you are speaking over the radio, you should consider:
▪ Speak clearly, so that there could be no confusion with other words
▪ Speak at normal conversation level, so do not shout as shouting may
overload the microphone causing distortion
▪ The voice should be pitched at higher level than for normal
conversation and dropping the pitch of the voice at the end of a word
should be avoided
▪ Speak slowly but still in phrases rather than word by word