You hear it all the time when monitoring VHF Channel 16.

“Radio check.” Silence. “Radio check.” Silence. “Radio check.”

“We hear you goofball.” (That’s my response, anyway.)

Okay, confessional, I’ve done it in the past. And I’ve done it because I didn’t know what else to do. After all, your VHF is easily one of the most important safety items aboard your boat. And you do need to know it’s working.

Enter Sea Tow and its ARC Service. Best of all – it’s FREE, baby.

The Automated Radio Check Service allows you to conduct your radio check and ensure functionality while, most importantly, reducing the volume of non-urgent communications traffic on VHF channel 16, the international hailing and distress channel.

You simply go to the Sea Tow website and find out which VHF Channel (24, 26, 27, or 28) serves your area. Tune your radio to the proper channel and call for a radio check like you normally do. Upon releasing the mic, the system will replay your transmission, letting you hear how you sound.

Bada-bing. You’re no longer a goofball.