Automated VHF Radio Check On Channel 26?

[Alecadi]

When sailing in Biscayne Bay I often heard on the VHF that there is an automated (??) radio check frequency, channel 26.

Out of curiosity I called Ch. 26 to check my signal... nothing happened no confirmation of my signal at all

How to proceed for that "automated" radio Check?

[Wotname]

Maybe your radio isn't working
Sorry I can't help in any other way.

[Alecadi]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Maybe your radio isn't working
Sorry I can't help in any other way.

Nope.. It's working perfectly........

[LeaseOnLife]

Just tried it from Dinner Key, works
Where are you!

Edit: For the procedure:

• I am calling "radio check, radio check, radio check, this is Lease-On-Life"
• Then the seatow comes back with an answer, my recorded voice, and some blabla about wearing life- vests..
• make sure you are on 26-USA not 26a-Canada

Dirk

[Cotemar]

Sea Tow’s Automated Radio Check Service (ARCS).

Automated Radio Check Service | Sea Tow

1. ARCS uses one of VHF channels 24-28. Simply tune your radio to the proper channel for your community.
2. Conduct a radio check as you normally would.
3. Upon releasing the mic, the system will replay your transmission, letting you hear how you sound.

[Alecadi]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Sea Tow’s Automated Radio Check Service (ARCS).


Automated Radio Check Service | Sea Tow

1. ARCS uses one of VHF channels 24-28. Simply tune your radio to the proper channel for your community.
2. Conduct a radio check as you normally would.
3. Upon releasing the mic, the system will replay your transmission, letting you hear how you sound.

thank you
I'll try it next time...

[Waterway Guide]

If you visit Automated Radio Check Service | Sea Tow, you can find the service map which shows where the stations are located and their corresponding channels. This can help you determine the strength by cueing on channels with stations further and further away.

[Mark on TL]

I went to the website, found the closest transmitters, nothing. A friend anchored next to me tried it also, no response. I did a radio check with my friend. Maybe I don't have enough power? But neither one of us have enough power? I'm heading south and will be trying this service again as I go.

Sent from my C6606 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[onestepcsy37]

Works great in east central florida. My SH handheld even gets it from five miles out, if I'm standing high enough on the boat...

[Mark on TL]

Hmmm. Curious. I'll report what I find as I sail from Miami to Key West.

Sent from my C6606 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[CaptMarc]

Its Ch. 27 for Broward and Monroe counties.
The system sometimes does not work, but I usually have luck on High power

i am Commercial operator in Port of Miami

[Stu Jackson]

What is it with these "I need a raido check" guys? They seem to proliferate on CH 16 which is verboten anyway. Use CH 9. Geez. If you think your radio isn't working, get a new one.

PS I haven't done a Radio Check in 26 years. Get over it.

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

What is it with these "I need a raido check" guys? They seem to proliferate on CH 16 which is verboten anyway. Use CH 9. Geez. If you think your radio isn't working, get a new one.

PS I haven't done a Radio Check in 26 years. Get over it.

Good for you. May I assume that you're using your radio regularly?

Me, I sometimes go a while between radio contacts. I've had microphones go bad -- receives just fine, great SWR, but extremely quiet (low modulation) transmissions. Automated radio check helped me troubleshoot it.

Another time, on a new boat, the antenna cable coax connector was shorted. I could still hear other stations, and in a radio check with a nearby marina I was told "loud and clear". It did seem that my reception was marginal (it was, of course), and I figured it out using measuring equipment and a radio check.

Bottom line, sometime radios / antennas / cables go bad. Sometimes you don't know you've got a problem. Do you test your inflatable PFD once a year? Your radio is also a piece of safety gear. Test it, either by using it for normal communications, or a radio check.