Navigation and Seamanship

6.5.2.1. Identification of Radio Telephony Stations

Identification of Radio Telephony Stations:

                                                                                                   

Radio telephonycommunication mainly between ship to shore or shore to ship or ship to ship.There are 13 shore stations called coast stations are operated by theDepartment of Telecommunication, Government of India, along the Indian coast.Bombay and Madras are the two major coast stations operating in the MF, HF andVHF bands. Other 11 stations namely Kandla, Okka, Porbandar, Ratnagiri, Goa,Manglore, Cochin, Tuticorin, Port Blair.Visakhapatnam and Calcutta operate in the MF band. Of these Calcutta,Visakhapatnam, Port Blair and Cochin operate also in the VHF band.

Advantages of Marine VHF Radio

• Easy to use

• Good clearreception

• Reasonablerange of coverage for small fishing vessels

• Low powerrequirements make battery operation possible

• VHFfacilitates reasonable antenna sizes

• Portable andhandheld sets are available

• TheRelatively low cost of appliances has lead to their great popularity