FCC Exam Question: 1-16C1

On what frequency would a vessel normally call another ship station when using a radiotelephony emission?

A. Only on 2182 kHz in ITU Region 2.
B. On 2182 kHz or Ch-16, unless the station knows that the called vessel maintains a simultaneous watch on another intership working frequency.
C. On the appropriate calling channel of the ship station at 15 minutes past the hour.
D. On the vessel’s unique working radio channel assigned by the Federal Communications Commission.
Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Vessels normally call other ship stations on internationally recognized distress and calling frequencies. For MF/HF radiotelephony, this is 2182 kHz. For VHF radiotelephony, it is Channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Ship stations are required to maintain a watch on these frequencies, making them the primary means for initial contact. Once contact is established, stations typically switch to a designated working frequency to avoid cluttering the calling channel. However, if a station already knows the specific working frequency the other vessel is monitoring, they may call directly on that channel. * **A) Incorrect:** This is too restrictive, as it omits VHF Channel 16, which is widely used for intership communication, and 2182 kHz is an international, not region-specific, calling frequency. * **C) Incorrect:** There is no general rule to call at "15 minutes past the hour," nor does it specify the correct calling channels. * **D) Incorrect:** Vessels do not have unique *calling* channels assigned by the FCC for initiating contact with *other* ships; they use internationally agreed-upon common calling frequencies.

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Includes Elements 1, 3, 6, 7R, 8, and 9.