Summary Of VHF SRC Lecture

Question 1

What letters does a call sign start with

Answer 1

ZR to ZU

Question 2

MMSI number :
How many digits
First 3 are ?

Answer 2

Has 9 digits
First 3 identify the nationality ( 601 for RSA)
Coast station ID starts with “00”
Group of ships station ID starts with “0”

Question 3

Fixed radios transmit what Wat

Answer 3

1W or 25W

If you are interfering , reduce the transmitter power to 1W

Question 4

Antenna range

Answer 4

The higher the dB ( decibel) of the antenna , the more directional the signal is

Question 5

GMDSS

Answer 5

Is about the Safety of Life at Sea ( SOLAS)

Question 6

GMDSS 4 sea areas

Answer 6

Area A1- an area within RT coverage , continuous DSC alerting available : normally 30-50nm

Area A2- MF/HF with continuous DSC alerting: normally +- 200nm

Area A3- Uses INMARSAT : 70N and 70 S

Area A4- polar regions

Question 7

SOLAS operational procedures

Answer 7

Log sheet entries
Date and time ( UTC) 
Vessel name 
Call sign
MMSI
Position
Nature of distress
Channel / frequency

Question 8

Equipment included as part of GMDSS

Answer 8

A -Navtex: receives met warnings , navigational warnings and details of distress messages. Range is +- 300Khz (kilohertz) , English language on 518Khz, national language on 490Khz.

B- EPIRB ( emergency position indicating radio beacon)
Uses the Cospas-sarsat system, transmits on 406Mhz ( megahertz) , activated either by water or manually, if accidentally activated leave it in and calm nearest MRCC ( marine rescue Co-ordination centre)

C- SART ( Search and Rescue Radar Transponder)
Responds when interrogated by 9 GHz (gigahertz) X band/ 3cm radar beam.
Dots , arcs and circles all set on the rescue crafts radar screen to show how to close they are to the SART.
SART transmits a locating signal with no identification

Question 9

Battery maintenance

Answer 9

1) keep them fully charged
2) do not overcharge
3) keep in well ventilated area to avoid a hydrogen explosion
4) avoid working in batteries when wearing metal articles, extreme caution with metal tools
5) protection ( goggles and gloves )
6) keep terminals and surfaces clean and dry
7) use grease Vaseline or commercial terminal lubes
8) never mix old batteries with new
9) ensure they are secure
10) top up with distilled water
11) check alternator is working at start up
12) check specific gravity for charge