Western Australian Consolidated Regulations

W.A. MARINE (RADIOTELEPHONY) REGULATIONS 1981 - SCHEDULE 2

[Regulation 5(b)]

VHF frequency modulated installations

Part I  —  Installations

1 .         Specification

                A VHF frequency modulated installation shall comply with the specification RB 274 issued in January 1976 by the Postal and Telecommunications Department of the Commonwealth for radio equipment employed in the International VHF Maritime Mobile Radiotelephone Service.

2 .         Transmitter

                The transmitter of a VHF frequency modulated installation shall — 

            (a)         be capable of effectively transmitting — 

                  (i)         on the frequencies 156.80 MHz (Channel 16) and 156.375 MHz (Channel 67); and

                  (ii)         on such frequencies, other than those referred to in subparagraph (i), as are appropriate to the service in which the seagoing ship concerned is engaged;

            (b)         have a maximum radio frequency output power of not less than 7.5 watts, and not more than 25 watts, mean power; and

            (c)         include means for readily reducing the output referred to in paragraph (b) to not more than 1 watt mean power.

3 .         Receiver

                The receiver of a VHF frequency modulated installation shall be capable of effectively receiving — 

            (a)         on the frequencies 156.80 MHz (Channel 16) and 156.375 MHz (Channel 67); and

            (b)         on such frequencies, other than those referred to in paragraph (a), as are appropriate to the service in which the seagoing ship concerned is engaged.

Part II  —  Sources of electrical energy

4 .         Main source

                The main source of electrical energy for a VHF frequency modulated installation shall — 

            (a)         be capable of operating that installation; and

            (b)         be separate from the reserve source of electrical energy referred to in clause 5.

5 .         Reserve source

                The reserve source of electrical energy for a VHF frequency modulated installation shall be capable at all times whilst the seagoing ship concerned is at sea of supplying continuously for a period of 6 hours a total current equal to the sum of — 

            (a)         one‑half of the current required to operate the VHF frequency modulated radiotelephone transmitter for the transmission of speech;

            (b)         the current required to operate the VHF frequency modulated radiotelephone receiver; and

            (c)         the current required to operate the electric light referred to in regulation 11(1)(c).

6 .         Batteries

        (1)         Batteries which supply the whole or any part of the electrical energy for a VHF frequency modulated installation shall — 

            (a)         not be of the dry cell type;

            (b)         be placed and housed to the satisfaction of a radio surveyor; and

            (c)         be capable of being fully charged within a period of 16 hours by the means referred to in subclause (2).

        (2)         If a VHF frequency modulated installation is supplied with electrical energy wholly or in part by batteries, there shall be provided on the seagoing ship concerned means — 

            (a)         for charging those batteries and for preventing those batteries from discharging otherwise than for the purpose of supplying the total current referred to in clause 5;

            (b)         for testing the charge condition of those batteries; and

            (c)         in the case of batteries which supply electrical energy not only to that installation but also to other equipment on that seagoing ship — 

                  (i)         there shall be provided at that installation means for promptly cutting off the supply of electrical energy to that other equipment in an emergency; and

                  (ii)         those batteries shall be capable of supplying adequate electrical energy to that other equipment for such period as the Department approves in addition to complying with the requirements of clause 5.

        (3)         If, in the opinion of a radio surveyor, electrical generating devices in the seagoing ship concerned may cause damage to its VHF frequency modulated installation through voltage fluctuations, electrical energy shall be supplied to that installation by 2 banks of batteries which shall be — 

            (a)         charged and discharged through an interlocking isolating switch separating the battery on charge from the transmitter, and the combined or separate receiver, of that installation; and

            (b)         situated in or adjacent to the wheelhouse of that seagoing ship.

Part III  —  Radiation system

7 .         Aerial

        (1)         The aerial of the radiation system of VHF frequency modulated installation shall — 

            (a)         be of such type and dimensions, and so erected and insulated, as to secure efficient radiation;

            (b)         be so placed and constructed that — 

                  (i)         it is adequately protected from mechanical damage;

                  (ii)         danger to personnel as a result of accidental contact is precluded;

                  (iii)         it does not interfere with the safe navigation or working of the seagoing ship concerned; and

                  (iv)         it is adequately protected from the adverse effects of salt water.

        (2)         The aerial installation of a radiating system referred to in subclause (1) shall be of vertical polarization.

        (3)         The product of the antenna gain and the power of the transmitter of a VHF frequency modulated installation, measured at the point of connection to the aerial terminal, shall not, in the case of an isotropic radiator, exceed 41 watts Effective Isotropic Radiated Power.