Do you check your VHF radio each time you plan to get underway? Your radio is one of the most important safety items on your boat, yet many boaters do not test it to be certain that it is transmitting effectively.
Don't forget that radio checks are easy in most areas using Sea Tow's free Automated Radio Check service on VHF channels 24, 26, 27, and 28 (Do not radio check on Ch. 16 – and please remind boaters to use the Automated Radio Check service).
To check your VHF radio, tune it to one of the local Automated Radio Check VHF channels, key the mike, and ask for a radio check. An automated response is transmitted back along wtih your voice transmission, which not only helps you assess the transmission strength, but also lets you hear any static, hum, whine or other defect to help you solve issues with your radio and antenna. And since each Automated Radio Check station also responds with the location of the station, you can try different channels to check the distance versus clarity. For an interactive map of current Automated Radio Check stations and corresponding channels, visit Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check page.
Here's a brief how-to video by Sea Tow:
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