Which statement is NOT true regarding the requirements of survival craft portable two-way VHF radiotelephone equipment?

Which statement is NOT true regarding the requirements of survival craft portable two-way VHF radiotelephone equipment?

• A. It operates simplex on Ch-70 and at least one other channel.
• B. It must be capable of transmitting on Ch-16 for safety calls.
• C. It must be operable with one or more spare batteries.
• D. It must meet minimum output power for survival craft communications.

Answer: (A)

The important idea here is how survival craft portable VHF radios are designed to ensure reliable safety communications at sea. They must be able to transmit on Channel 16 so you can reach others for distress or safety calls, and they must work on at least one additional voice channel besides 16. They also need to run on power with spare batteries and meet a minimum output power so the signal can be heard at a distance. Channel 70, however, is reserved for DSC (digital selective calling) and is not a voice channel for two-way radio. Saying the device must operate simplex on Channel 70 describes a voice capability on a DSC channel, which isn’t how these radios are used for routine voice communication. So the statement describing operation on Channel 70 is not true, while transmitting on Channel 16, having spare batteries, and meeting the minimum power are the correct requirements.

The important idea here is how survival craft portable VHF radios are designed to ensure reliable safety communications at sea. They must be able to transmit on Channel 16 so you can reach others for distress or safety calls, and they must work on at least one additional voice channel besides 16. They also need to run on power with spare batteries and meet a minimum output power so the signal can be heard at a distance. Channel 70, however, is reserved for DSC (digital selective calling) and is not a voice channel for two-way radio. Saying the device must operate simplex on Channel 70 describes a voice capability on a DSC channel, which isn’t how these radios are used for routine voice communication. So the statement describing operation on Channel 70 is not true, while transmitting on Channel 16, having spare batteries, and meeting the minimum power are the correct requirements.