BoatUS Online Course: All About Marine Radios

Chances are the most important piece of safety gear aboard your Grady-White is the marine radio...and it's one of the least understood. A partnership between US Power Squadrons and BoatUS Foundation aims to improve boaters' knowledge with the new online course, All About Marine Radio, offered at BoatUS.org/courses. The course shows how to use standard VHF radios as well as newer Digital Selective Calling (DSC) VHF radios and is great for novices and experienced boaters. Taken from the comfort of home, the course is $24.95.

All About Marine Radio teaches how to choose the best radio for your boating lifestyle and how to get the most use out of it. The course will show some simple rules to follow when you're using a marine VHF radio plus how to:

• Determine which features you want in a marine radio for your type of boating
• Make and receive radio calls, including what channels to use
  
• Obtain and use an Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number for your boat
  
• Call for help in all kinds of emergencies
  
• Ensure that your transmissions are understandable
  
• Simple rules to follow when using your radio