Communications Flashcards
The ship station license for your radio telephone is valid for
10 years
When sending and receiving messages on the marine radio, confusion over unusual words can be avoided by using the
Standard phonetic alphabet
One method of reducing the length of radio transmissions without distorting the meaning of your words is by using
Procedure words
You are monitoring VHF channel 16 when you receive a call to your vessel, TEXAS PRIDE. What is the proper way to answer this call?
“This is TEXAS PRIDE, WSR 1234, reply channel 10.”
When do you use your FCC call sign when transmitting on channel 16?
Always at the beginning and ending of a transmission
What is the MOST important thing you should do before transmitting on a marine radio?
Monitor the channel to insure that it is clear
When communicating on the radiotelephone using plain English, what procedure word indicates the end of my transmission and that a response is necessary?
Over
You are communicating on the radiotelephone using plain English. Which procedural word (proword) indicates that you have received another vessels transmission?
Roger
When using the International Code of Signals to communicate, the end of a radiotelephone transmission is indicated by the signal
AR
You are calling another vessel by radiotelephone using the International Code of Signals. He responds with the words “Alpha Sierra”. This indicates that
He cannot accept traffic immediately
What would be used to call all stations in your vicinity by radiotelephone ?
Charlie Quebec
You wish to communicate by radiotelephone with a foreign vessel using the International Code of Signals. This is indicated by the signal
“Interco”
If you receive the signal over radiotelephone of “Romeo Papa Tango” while using the International Code of Signals, you should
Repeat your last transmission
A call between any two ship stations on a intership working frequency shall have a maximum duration of
3 minutes
Routine radio communications should be no more than
Three minutes
You have just tried calling another vessel on the VHF and they have not replied. How long should you wait before calling that station again?
Two minutes
How should the number “1” be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone ?
OO-NAH-WUN
You are communicating by radiotelephone using the International Code of Signals. What is the correct method of sending the group 1.3?
“Unaone decimal terrathree”
How should the number “2” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
BEES-SOH-TOO
How should the number “3” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
TAY-RAH-TREE
How should the number “4” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
KAR-TAY-FOWER
How should the number “5” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
PAN-TAH-FIVE
How should the number “6” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
SOK-SEE-SIX
How should the number “7” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
SAY-TAY-SEVEN
How should the number “9” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
NO-VAY-NINER
How should the letter “D” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
DELL TAH
How should the letter “I” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
IN DEE AH
How should the letter “O” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
OSS CAH
How should the letter “Q” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
KEH BECK
How should the letter “R” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
ROW ME OH
How should the letter “T” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
TANG GO
How should the letter “V” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
VIK TAH
How should the letter “W” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
WISS KEY
How should the letter “Z” be pronounced when spoken on the radio telephone?
ZOO LOO
The height of a VHF radio antenna is more important than the power output wattage of the radio because
VHF communications are basically “line of sight”
VHF channel 6 is used exclusively for what kind of communications?
Inter-vessel safety and search and rescue
Marine Operators, when calling a ship on VHF-FM radiotelephone, normally call on channel
16
On a survival craft VHF radio precautions shall be taken to prevent the inadvertent selection of which channel
16
Which VHF channel should you avoid using as a working channel?
16
All VHF marine band radios operate in the simplex mode which means that
Only one person may talk at a time
You are making ship-to-shore calls on VHF. You should use the
VHF-FM service
If you know that the vessel you are about to call on the VHF radio maintains a radio on both the working and the calling frequencies, which frequency should you call on?
Working frequency
When making VHF radio calls to nearby stations, what level of transmitting power should you use?
Low power
What is the maximum power allowed by the FCC for VHF-FM radio transmissions?
25 watts
You are making a telephone call ship-to-shore using the VHF-FM service. You can tell the working channel is busy if you hear
Speech
Signaling tones
A busy signal
What is the average range of vessel-to-vessel VHF-FM radio communications?
15 to 20 miles
What is the expected range of a VHF radio transmission from a vessel to a shore station?
About 20 miles
The reception of weak radio signals may be improved by “opening up” the squelch control. What is the normal setting of the squelch control ?
Just past the point where background noise is cut off
The range of a SSB transmission is MOST affected by
The frequency band selected and time of day or night
What time of day would an SSB radio have the longest transmitting range?
During darkness
The unit of duration of a dash in Morse Code is
Three times the length of a dot
The standard rate of signaling by flashing light is
Forty letters per minute
The “call” part of a signal by flashing light is made by the general call or by
The identity signal of the station called
A message by flashing light consists of the call, the identity, the text, and the
Ending
A message by flashing light consists of the call, the text, the ending, and the
Identity
A message by flashing light consists of the call, the identity, the ending, and the
Text
What is the International Code signal for a decimal point between figures using flashing light ?
AAA
What is the International Code signal for calling an unknown station using flashing light?
AA AA
When signaling by flashing light, the signal “C” should be used to indicate a(n)
Affirmative statement
You have called another vessel by flashing light and he has answered your call properly. You now send your call sign “DE KLIS”. He should respond with
DE KLIS
When signaling by flashing light you make an error. You should send
The erase signal then continue the message with the last correctly spelled word
When signaling by flashing light, a correctly received repetition of a signal is acknowledged by the signal
OK
In a message sent by flashing light, what group of letters will direct the receiver of a message to repeat the transmission back to the sender?
RPT
The groups “AA” and “AB” are used in conjunction with what other group in signaling by flashing light?
RPT
Which signal given by flashing light changes a statement into a question?
RQ
If a receiving station cannot distinguish a signal sent by a flag hoist it should
Keep the answering pennant at the dip
Signaling by flag hoist is completed by the vessel hoisting the
Answering pennant
A vessel is signaling to you by flag hoist, and the answer pennant is hoisted close-up. You should
Expect no further flag hoists and secure from signaling
A warship indicates that it wishes to communicate with a merchant ship by hoisting
The code pennant, and keep it flying during the entire communication
The flag hoist 1.33 would be sent as
1, answer pennant, 3, second substitute
The flag hoist 62.2 would be sent as pennant 6, pennant 2,
Answering pennant, second substitute
If you wanted to ask a nearby vessel if he had a doctor on board, you would hoist the flag signal
AM
A vessel is flying the signal ““BJ-1” from her starboard halyard. The signal means
“an aircraft is circling over an accident”
You are signaling by flag hoist using the International Code of Signals. You wish to send the signals CL and IW and have them read in that order. What would ensure this ?
Hoist CL tackline IW
What is the correct interpretation of the flag hoist F 2 1 3 second substitute ?
F2131
What is the correct interpretation of the flag hoist G, 4, 2, 1, first substitute?
G4214
Several vessels are at anchorage. You wish to communicate with the vessel bearing 046*T from you but do not know the vessels call letters. Which flag hoist should NOT be used to establish communications?
RQ A046
While using the International Code of Signals, if the receiving station can distinguish the flag signal of the transmitting station, but cannot understand the meaning of it, the station can hoist the flag signal
ZL
A vessel in distress should send by radiotelephone the two tone alarm signal followed immediately by the
Spoken words “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”
The VHF radiotelephone calling/safety/distress frequency is
156.8 MHz (channel 16)
The national distress, safety, and calling frequency is channel
16
While underway, if you are required to have a radiotelephone, you must maintain a continuous listening watch on channel
16 (156.8 MHz)
Which radiotelephone transmission may be sent over channel 16?
Distress signal MAYDAY
call to a particular station
A meteorological warning
A distress frequency used on radiotelephone is
2182 kilohertz
The Coast Guard emergency radiotelephone frequency is
2182 kHz
What is the calling and distress frequency on a single side band (SSB) marine radiotelephone ?
2182 kHz
After receiving your distress call, the U. S. C. G. will ask you to switch to which SSB frequency?
2670
Your vessel is in distress and you have made radiotelephone contact with a U. S. Coast Guard vessel. The Coast Guard vessel requests that you give him a long count. This indicates that
The Coast Guard vessel is taking a radio direction finder bearing on your vessel
What should you donor you have transmitted a distress call a number of times on channel 16 and have received no reply ?
Repeat the message using any other channel on which you might attract attention
Which state about transmitting distress messages by radiotelephone is INCORRECT?
It is advisable to follow a distress message on 2182 kHz by two dashes of 10-15 seconds
What is TRUE about transmitting distress messages by radiotelephone?
Distress messages should first be transmitted on 2182 kHz
If no answer is received on the designated distress frequencies, repeat the distress call on any frequency available
Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) may be used for distress messages
You are underway in the Gulf of Mexico when you hear a distress message over the VHF radio. The position of the sender is about 20 miles south of Galveston, TX, and you are about 80 miles ESE of Galveston. What action should you take?
Defer acknowledgement for a short interval so that a coast station may acknowledge receipt
You are underway in mid-ocean when you hear a distress message. The position of the sender is 150 miles away. No other vessel has acknowledged the distress. Your maximum speed is 5 knots and due to the serious of the distress, you cannot arrive on scene to provide effective assistance. What action should you take?
Use the signal MAYDAY RELAY and transmit the distress message.
You are underway in mid- ocean, when you hear a distress message over the VHF radio. The position of the sender is 20 miles away. What action should you take?
Immediately acknowledge receipt of the distress message
If you are transmitting a distress message by radiotelephone you should
Use English language
While proceeding towards a distress site you hear a message PRU-DONCE over the radiotelephone. Which action should you take?
Use that frequency only for restricted working communications
Which radiotelephone signal indicates receipt of a distress message
Received mayday
Which radiotelephone signal indicates a receipt of a distress message ?
Romeo, romeo, Romeo
You are the first vessel to arrive at the scene of a distress. Due to the volume of traffic on the radio, you are unable to communicate with the vessel in distress. Which action should you take?
Broadcast “seelonce distress”
While proceeding toward a distress site you hear the message “Seelonce Feenee” over the radiotelephone. Which action should you take?
Resume normal communications on the guarded frequency
While proceeding to a distress site you hear the words “Seelonce mayday” on the radiotelephone. Which action should you take?
Monitor the radiotelephone but do not transmit
Which word is an international distress signal when transmitted by radiotelephone ?
Mayday
What is the spoken emergency signal for a distress signal over a VHF radio?
Mayday
The distress message of a ship should include considerable information which might facilitate the rescue. This information should
Be transmitted as a series of short messages, if time allows
What frequency has the FCC designated for the use of bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone communications?
156.650 MHz channel 13
The VHF radiotelephone frequency designated to be used only to transmit or receive information pertaining to the safe navigation of a vessel is
156.65 MHz (channel 13)
The radiotelephone safety message urgently concerned with safety of a person would be prefixed by the word
Pan
Your vessel has been damaged and is taking on water, but you do not require immediate assistance. You would preface a message advising other vessels of your situation with
Pan-Pan (3 times)
You are using VHF channel 16 (156.8 MHz) or 2182 kHz. You need help but are not in danger. You should use the urgent signal
“PAN-PAN”
What is the spoken emergency signal for a “man overboard” on the VHF radio?
Pan-Pan
In radiotelephone communications, the prefix PAN-PAN indicates that
A calling station has an urgent message about the safety of a person
You receive a call from the U. S. Coast Guard addressed to all stations. The call begins with the words “Pan-Pan” (3 times). Which type of emergency signal would this be?
Urgency signal
Which spoken emergency signal would you use to call a boat to cone assist a man overboard?
Urgency signal
“PAN-PAN” repeated three times over the radiotelephone indicates which type of message will follow ?
Urgency
You see an iceberg that has not been reported. What kind if radio message do you transmit to warn others ?
Safety message
A message warning of a tropical storm should be sent as a(n)
Safety message
You hear in the radiotelephone the word “Securite” spoken three times. This indicates that
A message about the safety if navigation will follow
A message giving warning of a hurricane should have which prefix when sent by radiotelephone ?
Securite Securite Securite
If you wish to transmit a message by voice concerning the safety of navigation, you would preface it by the word
Securite
Messages concerning weather conditions transmitted by radiotelephone are preceded by
SECURITE
A Coast Guard radiotelephone message about an aid to navigation that is off station is preceded by the word
“SECURITY”
In the International Code of signals, a group of three letters indicates
A group from the medical signal code
While operating off the coast of Greece, a seaman is injured. What indicator should be in the preamble of a radiotelegram asking for medical advice from a Greek station?
RADIO MEDICAL
While operating off Panama a seaman is injured. What indicator should be in the preamble of a radiotelegram asking for medical advice from a Panamanian station?
DH MEDICO
You are off the coast of South Africa, when a seaman is injured. What indicator should be used in a message requesting medical advice from a South African station?
PORT HEALTH
While operating off the coast of Portugal, a seaman is injured. What indicator should be used in a message requesting medical advice from a Portuguese station?
DSX RADIOMEDICAL
You have an AB who has become violently ill, and you are requesting urgent medical advice. Your message should contain which code?
MAA
An oiler was badly burned and you are communicating with a passenger ship that has a doctor and hospital on board. You want to rendezvous in a certain position so the oiler can be evacuated for medical treatment. Which code should your message contain?
MAB
You receive a medical message that contains the code MSJ. This means
“place patient in hot bath”
If you send a flag hoist of MAJ 8, what information are you conveying ?
I have a male age 8 years
While communicating with a shore station concerning an injured female, your message should indicate the subject’s age is 32. Which code would your message contain?
MAK 32
A crew member suddenly becomes blind in both eyes. Which code should your message contain?
MNO
If an ill crew member is beginning to show signs of improvement, what code should your message contain?
MPG
If a crew member that was ill has died, which code should your message contain?
MPR
After sending a message describing the symptoms of an ill crew member, you receive a message containing the code MRL this means
“commence artificial respiration immediately”
You are preparing to take another vessel in tow. Which signal indicates, “Hawser is made fast”?
Firing of a green star signal
By day, the signal meaning, “this is the best place to land” is a
Vertical motion of a white flag or the arms
Which is the lifesaving signal for “This is the best place to land”?
Green star rocket
The signal to guide vessels in distress, which indicates, “this is the best place to land” is the
Letter K in Morse code given by light
Which signal would be used by a shore rescue unit to indicate “Landing here highly dangerous”?
Horizontal motion of a white flag
Which of the following signals is made at night by a lifesaving station to indicate “Landing here highly dangerous”?
Horizontal motion of a white light or flare
The lifesaving signal used to indicate, “Landing here highly dangerous” is
Firing of a red star signal
If you are on a beach and are signaling to a small boat in distress that your present location is dangerous and they should land to the left, you would
Send the code signal S followed by L
The lifesaving signal indicated by a horizontal motion of a white light or flare means
“landing here highly dangerous”
“negative”
“abase hauling”
The signal used with shore lifesaving equipment to indicate “affirmative” is
Vertical motion of the arms
By day, the horizontal motion of a white flag, or arms extended horizontally, by a person on the beach indicates
“negative”
Which signal is used by a rescue unit to indicate, “Avast hauling”?
Firing of a red star signal
The firing of a red star signal may mean
“slack away”
What is a lifesaving signal for “You are seen - Assistance will be given as soon as possible”?
Orange smoke signal
What is the lifesaving signal for “You are seen - Assistance will be given as soon as possible”?
3 white star signals
Some lifesaving signals that would NOT indicate “You are seen - Assistance will be given as soon as possible” are
Vertical motion of white flags
Vertical motion of white light or flare
Firing of a green star signal
The National Weather service differentiates between small craft, gale, whole gale, and hurricane warnings by the
wind speed forecasted
A small craft advisory forecasts wind of up to what speed?
33 knots
When there is a small craft advisory winds are predicted up to
33 knots
An airplane should NOT send which signal in reply to a surface craft?
opening and closing the throttle
What are some signals an airlplane can use in reply to a surface craft?
Rocking the wings
Flashing the navigational lights off and on
Flashing Morse T
If an airplane circles a vessel 3 times, crosses the vessel’s course close ahead while rocking the wings, and heads off in a certain direction, what does this indicate?
Someone is in distress in that directiona dn the vessel should follow and assist
You have sent a visual signal to an aircraft. The aircraft then flies over your position on a straight course and level altitude. What should you do?
Repeat your signal
An aircraft has indicated that he wants you to change course and follow him. You cannot comply because of an emergency on board. Which signal would you make?
Send the Morse signal “N” by flashing light
An airplane wants a vessel to change course and proceed towards a vessel in distress. The actions of the aircraft to convey this message will NOT include
flashing the navigation lights on and off
During a training exercise a submarine indicating that a torpedo has veen fired will send up smoke from a float. The smoke’s color will be
black
A green signal, floating in the air from a parachute, about 300 feet above the water, indicates that a submarine
has fired a torpedo during a drill
The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine indicating that a torpedo has been fired in a training exercise is
green
The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine to indicate an emergency condition within the submarine is
red
The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine to indicate an emergency is
red
The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine about to surface is
white
A yellow signal floating in the air from a small parachute, about 300 feet above the water, would indicate that a submarine
is about to rise to periscope depth
The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine coming to periscope depth is
yellow
You are approaching another vessel and see that she has the signal flag “A” hoisted. What should you do?
Slow your vessel and keep well clear becasue she has a diver down
Which single-letter sound signal may be made only in compliance with the International Rules of the Road?
D
You are approaching another vessel and see that she has the signal flag “F” hoisted. What should you do?
attempt to call the vessel on VHF radotelephone becasue she is disabled
What signal flag is the “Pilot Flag” (“I have a pilot on board”)
“H”
You are approaching another vessel and see that has the signal flag “J” hoisted. Whould should you do?
Keep well clear of the vessel because she is on fire and has dangerous cargo on board or she is leaking dangerous cargo
You are approaching another vesses and see that it has the signal flag “O” hoisted. What is your next action?
Attempt to call the vessel on VHF radiotelphone and begin a search becasue the vessel has a man overboard
While in port, what signal flag would inform the vessel’s crew to report on board because the vessel was about to proceed to sea?
“P”
At sea, you are approaching a small vessel and see that it has the signal flag “P” hoisted. What should you do?
Approach with caurtion because the vessel is a fishing vessel and its nets are fouled on an obstruction.
You are approaching a small vessel and see that is has the signal flag “T” hoisted. What should you do?
Keep clear of the vessel because it is engaged in pair trawling
You are approaching another vessel and see that she has the signal flag “W” hoisted. What should you do?
Attempt to call the vessel on VHF radiotelephone because someone on board requires medical assistance
Which sinle-letter sound signal(s) may only be made in compliance with the Rules of the Road?
D
E
S
You wish to communicate informationt that the swell in your area is 8-10 feet in height and from the northeast. This swell, as defined in the International Code of Signals, would be described as
moderate
The waiting signal in code for all forms of signaling is
AS
The signal “AS” when used in signaling by the International Code of Signals means
“Wait”
If you are in urgent need of a helicopter, which signal code should you send?
BR
In the International Code of Signals, the code signal meaning “I require immediate assistance” is
CB
Under the International Code, the signal “CQ” in NOT used for signaling by
flashing light
The signal K4 sent by any method means
“I wish to communicate with you by sound signals
If another station sent you the signal “KG”, he would be
asking you if you needed a tug
If you desired to communicate with another station that your navigation lights were not functioning, you would send
PD1
What is the meaning of the signal VJ 8 when sent by the International Code of Signals?
A gale is expected from the north
Waht is the meaning of the signal DX RQ when sent by the International Code of Signals?
Are you sinking?
What is the meaning of the signal QU RQ when sent by the International Code of Signals?
Is anchoring prohibited?
If you receive a message “A243” by any method of signaling, it would be referring to
bearing
What should be used to send the group “Bearing 074” True?
A074
If there is a possibility of confusion, which signal should be used to send the group “True Bearing 045 Degrees”?
A045
When signaling a course using the International Code of Signals, the signal
always indicates a true course unless indicated otherwise in the message
If you sent out a signal on 12 March 1980, the date would be indicated by
D120380
What is the meaning of the flashing light signal “D0910”?
Date October 9
Which signal would be used to send the group “Distance 750 nautical miles”?
R750
The letter R followed by one or more numbers indicates
distance
The signal L1210 means the
latitude is 12*10’
Which group should be used to send the signal “Latitude 73*25’ North”?
L7325N
What is the meaning of the signal “G0325”?
The longitude is 3* 25’
Which group should be used to send the signal Longitude 109*34’ West?
G10934
You are approaching another vessel and see that has the signal flag “W” hoisted. What should you do?
Attempt to call the vessel on VHF radiotelephone because someone on board requires medical assistance
