Coast Guard Suggestion

[JusDreaming]

I don't know about everyone else, but I have a very hard time recording or acknowledging the coordinates the the CG radio operators announce with a PAN PAN announcements. Why do they insist on speaking like they are in a speed talking contest?
If everyone sends an e-mail to the link below, maybe we can get them to speak a bit slower while trying to send coordinates that may deal with some one's life!!!!!!!!!!

USCG: Contact Us

[hellosailor]

Denny, I can't speak for your local USCG office but suggest you call them (during weekday hours) and let them know the calls are coming too quickly.

Most USCG operations are underfunded to the extent that the bases are not able to be fully manned. The VHF radio watchstanders are, in fact, sometimes solicited from civilians who are recruited into the USCG-Aux program specifically to act as volunteer watchstanders, in order to free up station personnel to man the boats and do other duties.

So the folks you hear on the radio? May not be the best folks the USCG has available, but simply volunteers trying to lend a hand as best they can. A little feedback may be in order, along with a recording of it if you have that to back up your point.

Sometimes they are literally busier than a one-handed wall-paper hanger, Congress doesn't get many requests to increase the USCG budget, so the USCG tends to get less than they are worth--or need.

[Sunspot Baby]

Up and down the East Coast US I find that many (most) CG stations are super strong but very hard to understand. Often Sounding as if they are over modulated.

George

[JusDreaming]

by the way I have the utmost respect for the CG and what they do!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Viking Sailor]

May I suggest a tape recorder. It can be connected directly to your radio so boat and wind noise won't interfere with reception. Also, you won't need to be at the radio while the message is being received.

Paul
s/v Feeling Good
we6p

[New2Sailing]

Being a new sailor, I would appreciate a real world description of the location in addition to the actual Lat/Lon. Three miles due west of the Santa Monica Pier means more to me (initially) than a Lat/Lon description. I'm often single handing or with a novice crew and too busy to extrapolate the Lat/Lon onto a chart to see where they are talking about. There are times where I might be close enough to something to be of assistance.

[AnchorageGuy]

The simplest way is to call back on the VHF and ask them to repeat. If they get enough calls perhaps they will slow down.