How to Use a VHF Radio: The Mayday One to Ten, One to Five Slow Count Request

Any boater who makes a mayday call on channel 16 to the Coast Guard needs to be prepared for a surprise or two.

One is to be asked to give slow ascending and descending one to ten or one to five counts.

The reason is simple. If your radio contact with the Coast Guard is strong but you can't describe your position via a chart or latitude and longitude, the Coast Guard wants you to continue talking so that they can triangulate and home in on your position.

One reason is that they surely want to help you.

The other that they want to make sure that you're not some nitwit broadcasting a hoax mayday call from your living room.

Think of the typical tv crime drama. The kidnapper calls the family. phone. The good guys want the bad guy to continue talking to they can trace the call. Same case here in this mayday audio sample.

The slow one to ten count is truly destined for superannuation within the next half decade. Once the Coast Guard has fully implemented its Rescue 21 antennas, even the briefest mayday calls, just the short phrase "Mayday, mayday..." can be traced to a line of position.

The Coast Guard will know where to look for you without having to ask.

Listen to the audio sample at Sea Kayaking Dot Net.