basic principles and features of marine radio communications including: correct use of frequencies, frequency bands and modes of emission frequencies for routine call and reply distress, urgency and safety communication definition of coverage and sea areas for digital selective calling (DSC) radio calling, replying and relaying procedures purpose of silence periods when operating radio equipment limitations on the performance of different types of marine radio equipment purpose for and procedures for the monitoring of calling and working frequencies methods of communicating vessel position different types of marine radio equipment, their features, applications, operating characteristics and operating procedures hazards associated with radio transmission and the repair and maintenance of radio equipment and related hazard control measures international and national radio regulations applicable to mobile marine communication maintenance strategies and requirements for GMDSS equipment as defined in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)and Radio Regulations and STCW means to prevent the transmission of false distress alerts operational checks including checking radio performance; testing fuses; measuring capacity of batteries and the specific gravity of the electrolyte; measuring on and off load voltage principles of radio propagation including: basic propagation mechanisms at LF, MF, HF and VHF maximum usable frequency (MUF) optimum working frequency (OWF) frequency bands classes of emission duplex, simplex paired frequencies and ITU channels procedures for: keeping records of radio communication transmitting and decoding the international phonetic alphabet and figure code using various GMDSS systems and services including Inmarsat services (B, C, M); enhanced group calling system (EGC); MF/HF radio with NBDP; DSC facilities and usage; EGC receiver; maritime safety information (MSI) services; navigational telex (NAVTEX) system; SafetyNET system prohibitions on connecting non-GMDSS equipment to reserve source of supply radio communication problems and appropriate actions and solutions radio equipment faults, defects and related fault finding techniques requirements of ship reporting systems types, applications and features of basic antenna systems used in marine radio communications use of radio medical services. |