VHF procedure
How to Make a Radio Check on VHF — Wording and Channels
Published · Last checked October 2026
To make a VHF radio check, call a nearby station on a working channel, not channel 16, and ask for a radio check. A marina on channel 80, a friend on an intership channel such as 72, or an automated radio check service where available are all good choices. Say the station's name, 'this is' and your boat's name, then 'radio check, over'. They reply with a signal report such as 'loud and clear'. HM Coastguard asks leisure users not to request routine radio checks.
Where to do it
- A marina or harbour office on its working channel, when you are calling them anyway.
- Another boat on an intership channel: 6, 8, 72 or 77.
- An automated radio check service, which records your call and plays it back, available in some areas on a published channel.
- DSC test call: some coast stations accept a DSC test call by MMSI, which checks the DSC side without voice. Do not use the distress button.
Avoid channel 16 and do not call the coastguard just for a check: their channels need to stay clear for emergencies. See VHF channel 16 explained.
The wording
- Listen to make sure the channel is free.
- '*Hamble Point Marina*, *Hamble Point Marina*, this is yacht *Seabird*, *Seabird*, radio check, over.'
- Reply: '*Seabird*, this is *Hamble Point Marina*, loud and clear, over.'
- 'Thank you, *Seabird*, out.'
| Reply | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Loud and clear | Strong and readable: all good |
| Readable but weak | Check antenna, connectors and power setting |
| Broken / intermittent | Possible loose connection or poor position |
| Unreadable | Problem with set, cable or antenna |
| Nothing heard | Try high power, then check the installation |
If the check fails
Most VHF faults are in the antenna, the coaxial cable or the connector at the masthead or deck gland. Check that the set is on the right power setting, the squelch is not set too high and the antenna is connected. A handheld with a fresh battery makes a useful comparison. Learn the full procedure in the VHF radio lesson and the phonetic alphabet lesson.