Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN FAST
RESCUE BOATS
11 11
2 way VHF radio:
• Transmits and receives on VHF Channels 16 and 6
• Capable of withstanding total immersion to 10 ft. (3.3 m)
• Floats to prevent being lost overboard like other radios
• Can be stored in a survival craft for up to 5 years
• Easily User-replaceable "push/twist/lock" battery; 5 year replacement life
• Operating life: 8 hours @ -20° C (-4° F), longer in temperate waters
• The radio is equipped with a 5 year lithium survival battery pack
• Unit meets all IMO, SOLAS and FCC requirements for survival craft two-way
VHF transceivers.
• An optional rechargeable MaxCap battery pack is also available.
ACR - Survival Craft Radio 16-6 Model 2726A
The 16/6 Survival Craft Portable Two-Way VHF Radiotelephone is intended to
be used for on-scene emergency communications between survival craft and ship,
and survival craft and rescue units. The radio is equipped with a 5 year lithium
survival battery pack which is user replaceable. With the lithium battery pack
installed, the unit meets all IMO, SOLAS and FCC requirements for survival craft
two-way VHF transceivers. An optional rechargeable MaxCap™ battery pack is also
available.
SENDING DISTRESS COMMUNICATIONS
The following are a set of observations intended to help the user maximize his
success during the course of a rescue where two-way communication is possible.
1. Transmit only when the channel is clear of activity, or between other stations'
transmissions during a distress.
2. Use the world recognized expression M'AIDER or MAYDAY to call for help.
Note that MAYDAY is commonly pronounced as it is read in English, when utilized in
English speaking countries. To improve the chances of being understood
internationally, it is best to pronounce the above expression two ways:
a. The internationally recognized way, M'AIDER (in French) pronounced
phonetically as “mě - dě,” and,
b. The commonly used pronunciation in English speaking countries MAYDAY
pronounced phonetically as “mā - dā.”
To prevent the distress signal from being misunderstood, and to improve the
intelligibility of the distress call, use the two pronunciations above when calling.
Antenna height and range of communications are intimately related. In
general, a higher antenna will have a longer range than a similar lower antenna.
The typical range for a transmitting radio held at about 1.2 meters (4.0 ft) above
average water level is expected to equal 4.5 kilometers (2.8 statute miles). The
receiving shipborne antenna can extend the range if it is mounted high. Airborne
receivers greatly extend the above range (over 150 kilometers/100 miles for aircraft
flying over 1500 meters/5000 ft).
Because of the above fact, and to maximize the range of the survival craft VHF
radiotelephone, the unit should be held as high as possible without endangering the
safety of the operator.