2008 Communications Plan

Pacific Cup Communication Plan 2008 (SI 3.5)

June 16, 2008

Start Line Procedure

• Starters may check in with Race Committee on VHF 71 prior to their Warning Signal. (SI 2.2)
• The Race Committee will monitor VHF 71 from one hour before the first scheduled start until one hour past the last start for the day, or until all starters have passed under the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Racers shall monitor VHF 71 while in the vicinity of the starting line and until they have cleared the bridge and, thereafter to monitor VHF 16 at all times. Also see; (SI 1.6, SI 2.2, SI 2.7 and SI 2.9)

Daily Roll Call Procedure

0900 PDT                                Record 0900 Position

0900 PDT                                Check-in commences with communication vessel, alphabetic by boat name within division:

1. Double Handed division first, in starting order.

2.  Remaining divisions in starting order.

1100 PDT                                Check-in period ends.

                                                Any changes to these Roll Call procedures will be announced by the CV/CO at least twelve hours before they become effective if possible.

1100 PDT/0800 HST              Once the Communications Vessel has docked, roll call will be conducted by KYC starting at 1100 PDT (0800 Hawaiian Time) and finishing at 1300 PDT (1000 HST) the 0900 PDT Position will still be the one reported. The fleet will be given ample notification of this change during a previous Roll Call.

Roll Call Operations (SI 3.3, SI 3.4, SI 3.5, SI 3.6)

Pacific Cup's roll call is a "controlled net," meaning that the Communications Vessel ("CV") is in charge of the use of the frequency and also that traffic is done somewhat differently than normal two-way communications.  Shortly before the roll call, the CV will come on the air and announce the CV’s call sign as well as the fact that a controlled net is about to commence.

Roll Call will commence at 0900 PDT, possibly with announcements.  We use a simple and highly abbreviated protocol for the roll call. (In emergencies you should use full and proper position reporting).

CV hails: "Blue Duck"

Blue Duck: "Blue Duck at 31 23 by 134 53 (three one, two three by one three four, five three)

CV (confirming position): "Blue Duck, 31 23 by 134 53

Blue Duck: "Roger" (but if incorrect, transmit correction: E.g.” Correction! Latitude is 134 degrees 53 minutes.")

Notes:

• Emergency and Special Traffic
• In case of emergency, you may interrupt the net by hailing "Break-Break."  The CV will suspend all operations for your emergency traffic and hail you with "Go ahead break."  Do not use "Break-Break" for non-emergency traffic.
• Special Traffic: If you have a message for the CV or another boat, when you report your position add "and I have traffic for (e.g.) Red Dog."  The CV will acknowledge and hail you after the roll call.
• Roll Call Details
• Round position to the nearest minute. Give position deliberately and clearly.
• The CV may request a relay if it can't hear clearly.  If CV asks for a relay and you can hear both the CV and the other station, then reply with "(Your Name) Relay" and wait to be acknowledged.  The CV can't hear you if several boats broadcast at once. Blue Duck should also stand by if it hears a relay request.
• If you can't reach the CV via SSB during the roll call, try using VHF 16.
• During roll call, all vessels must monitor VHF 16 for assistance with possible check-in relays or emergency traffic.  Failure to relay is a violation of the Sailing Instructions.  It is strongly advised to have VHF 16 on at all times.
• After the roll call on 4A, if there are missed boats, CV will try again on 4146 kHz, (4A), and will attempt periodic hails on (8A) and (12A) until 1100 PDT when the check-in period ends.
• Finishing or Retired (SI 4.5)
• Vessels that have completed the 100 mile check-in before 1000 PDT need not participate in the roll call. However, If still on the course you are encouraged to check in, if only to brag, but it is not required.
• Those that abandon the race are strongly encouraged to continue to check in until they reach port. Your friends and fellow racers may worry otherwise.
• SailMail and Channel 4B
• Racers are asked not to use channel 4B for private calls during roll call as sometimes there is interference with 4A.
• The CV will be using SailMail for transmission of roll call data to race officials and the web page.  Except for emergencies do not use SailMail frequencies from 0930 PDT to 1200 PDT.  The CV will make a brief announcement on 4A when it has completed its SailMail transmission.

KYC Communication after roll call 1000 to 1100 PDT

KYC will monitor 12353 kHz, (12A), during the early portions of the race and will then monitor channel 8A, on 8294 kHz after July 25th. This is intended as a status frequency for the Communication Vessel and may be used by competitors to the extent that KYC can be of service. This is not considered an emergency channel.

Informal Radio Hour

• 1700 PDT 4146 kHz, (4A), is reserved for an informal discussion period among the fleet.  For some, this is a highlight of the voyage.
• The CV may choose to use this period to read back the computed standings and the latest guess as to who is leading in each fleet.
• The CV may choose to handle traffic from the racers. Other vessels with E-mail capability can also provide this service at their discretion, however rewarding such efforts with the promise of Mai Tai's at Kaneohe is recommended.
• Also be advised that anything discussed during the radio hour may find its way into the awards ceremony or into the daily reports after the informal radio hour.

Finish Line Procedure (SI 4.5)

Finish line/Arrival check-ins shall be transmitted as shown below, unless otherwise instructed by KYC Base on the initial check-in. KYC Base plans to have coverage, (listening), 24/7 starting with the first Yacht to reach the 100 mile point.

• 100 mile check-in to KYC.   4146 kHz         Hail “KYC Base”
• 25 miles from finish             4146 kHz         Hail “KYC Base”
• 5 miles from finish               VHF 71            Hail “Pacific Cup Finish”
• At the finish                          VHF 71            Hail “Pacific Cup Finish”
• After the finish                      VHF 68            Hail “Escort Vessel”

Any communication from an official of the finish line committee, including navigational advisories offered in the interest of safety, will not be considered outside assistance for the purpose of rule 60.

Emergency Communications

• The USCG is best equipped to handle a true emergency, contact them on the channels listed below.
• The communication vessel can provide some assistance, for example relaying traffic or redirecting a nearby yacht. However the communication vessel is not obligated to monitor except during the roll call period.

EPIRB: If you trigger an EPIRB do not turn it off until the USCG has been notified. If you trigger an automatic or manual distress signal from your SSB and/or VHF radio, whether in an emergency or accidentally, notify the USCG or have someone relay the situation. In years past accidental transmission without USCG notification has resulted in USCG air assets being readied and/or flying continuously over several days in search of a missing vessel that had turned off an EPIRB/DSC signal without a report.

• Any vessel that is equipped with Satellite telephone equipment and/or Satellite communications equipment should provide the contact information to the Race Committee during the Inspection of the vessel, or at the Skippers Meeting.

Distress Frequencies

The following Distress frequencies are monitored by the US Coast Guard:

Notes:

• Particularly good results have been reported using 4125 kHz at night, which is monitored continuously by USCG Kodiak, Alaska, and 8291 during the day by NMC and NMO
• These distress channels/frequencies were different in the past. But the latest USCG tables for Calling and Distress Watch Schedule changed them to the above Simplex frequencies to improve response time.
• Call "Any US Coast Guard station" three times, say "this is", then say your vessel name three times, say latitude-longitude using degrees, minutes and tenths of a minute, and North/South and East/West appropriately, (to facilitate the use of directional antennas), and then say "over". Pause 3-4 seconds for a reply, then repeat. Continue calling for at least two minutes before trying a different frequency.
• Higher frequencies (12xxx/16xxx kHz) work best during the day, 4, 6 or 8 kHz at night.
• Always remember to speak slowly and clearly. A quick call may not be heard.
• The Pacific Seafarers Net is exceedingly reliable and helpful.  They will respond to emergencies even if you do not have a HAM license.  They operate daily at 0300 UTC (2000 PDT, 1700 HST) on 14.300 MHz frequency. Go here for an example conversion table from UTC to local time:            http://101science.com/UTCzulu.html

      NOTE: HAWAII IS ON HST. HST IS THREE HOURS BEHIND PACIFIC TIME.

                  E.G. 0800 HST IS 1100 PDT!

Weather Information  frequencies (SI 3.2)

          *These are the “Dial” frequencies, not the carrier frequencies. The “dial” frequencies are 1.9 kHz below carrier frequencies and allow your radio to “hear” the WX Fax sounds.

          ** For access to the full broadcast schedules please go to:

           http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/fax/hfreyes.txt   For Pt. Reyes and/or,   

            http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/fax/hfhi.txt     For Hawaii.

            These text documents will  give you specific transmission times for documents of interest for a safe and fast passage to Hawaii. Highly recommend that you print the latest copies of these documents immediately before the Race.

Appendix for Communications Requirements.

Since all Yachts will be carrying both VHF and SSB permanently installed radio equipment this Appendix is for information and use to prepare for ease of both normal and emergency communication outside the Pacific Cup Race Communications. There are services available from professionals such as the Gordon West Amateur Radio School that can supply this service. If your installed SSB has not been programmed you may wish to contact Gordon or another Professional. (See below for contact details)

Each vessel must have a valid FCC Ship Station License.

A minimum of a 500 mile communication should be made before or after inspection to verify the satisfactory operation of SSB equipment.

Contact Gordon West at (714) 549 5000, Mon-Fri between 0900 and 1600 to arrange radio checks certified for signal strength and clarity. After making arrangements with “Gordo” regarding time and date you will then be able to contact him on Marine SSB channels  4A/8A/12A. Gordo’s call sign is WMD. Gordon also provides FCC Ship Station Licensing service.

Respectfully Submitted

Jack McGuire

Chairman, Communications Committee