GMDSS GOC Flashcards: Radio Concepts and Terminology
80 original English cards for maritime radio trainees: GMDSS terms, current sea-area concepts, selected channels, identification, MSI and alerting distinctions.
Sobre aquesta baralla
Practise 80 original English concept cards for GMDSS GOC revision. The scope is a selected theory subset referenced to the active CEPT ERC/DEC/(99)01 Annex 1 syllabus, amended 8 March 2024. It is not a complete GOC course or a national examination guide. Reviewed for 2026; sea-area concepts reflect the SOLAS changes effective 1 January 2024.
Recall a term’s meaning or function, identify selected channel/frequency uses, interpret basic MMSI patterns and NAVTEX header fields, and distinguish concepts in six short reasoning prompts. Selected applications revisit DSC channel use, HF propagation, ship-specific A3 coverage, NAVTEX coverage versus service area, voyage planning and the limits of beacon return-link confirmation. Basics come before dependent cases; related variants are separated by at least three unrelated cards. The app schedules later repetition. Public tags are gmdss plus basics, radio, safety-info or alerting.
Excluded: complete emergency scripts and action sequences; distress acknowledgement, relay and cancellation procedures; live testing; equipment operation or repair; full communication drills; national eligibility, renewal and carriage rules; billing and complete examination coverage. Those tasks need current approved training, vessel procedures, publications and the actual equipment manual. Flashcard recall does not establish practical competence, certification or readiness to manage an emergency.
All questions and answers were independently written with AI assistance and checked against public authoritative factual sources. The cover is an original AI-generated illustration, not an equipment guide. No examination questions, mark schemes or curriculum text were copied. CC0 applies only to original expression, organisation, metadata and generated media to the extent applicable rights exist; it does not license source publications or claim ownership of facts.
Independent, unofficial study material by Open Study Contributor. No affiliation with or endorsement by CEPT/ECC, IMO, ITU, Inmarsat, Iridium or any certification authority is claimed. See the official CEPT syllabus and implementation information; national requirements must be checked with the relevant administration.
Targetes d'aquesta baralla
Targeta 1
Pregunta
In maritime radio, what does GMDSS stand for?
Resposta
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.
Targeta 2
Pregunta
In the CEPT maritime-radio syllabus, what does GOC stand for?
Resposta
General Operator’s Certificate.
Targeta 3
Pregunta
What does a radio frequency of 1 Hz represent?
Resposta
One cycle per second.
Targeta 4
Pregunta
In GMDSS, what does MSI stand for?
Resposta
Maritime Safety Information.
Targeta 5
Pregunta
Which international organisation develops the maritime safety framework behind GMDSS?
Resposta
The International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Targeta 6
Pregunta
Which international organisation maintains the Radio Regulations used by maritime radio services?
Resposta
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Targeta 7
Pregunta
GMDSS combines which two broad communication paths?
Resposta
Terrestrial radio and satellite communication.
Targeta 8
Pregunta
In maritime radio, what does DSC stand for?
Resposta
Digital Selective Calling.
Targeta 9
Pregunta
Which maritime emergency category means grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance?
Resposta
Distress.
Targeta 10
Pregunta
What is the purpose of NAVTEX?
Resposta
Automatic reception of broadcast maritime safety information as text.
Targeta 11
Pregunta
In maritime radio, what does MMSI stand for?
Resposta
Maritime Mobile Service Identity.
Targeta 12
Pregunta
In maritime satellite communications, what does SES stand for?
Resposta
Ship Earth Station: the satellite-communication station aboard a ship.
Targeta 13
Pregunta
In maritime safety, what does EPIRB stand for?
Resposta
Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon.
Targeta 14
Pregunta
How many hertz are in 1 kHz?
Resposta
1000 Hz.
Targeta 15
Pregunta
In maritime communications, what does SAR stand for?
Resposta
Search and Rescue.
Targeta 16
Pregunta
What is the basic role of maritime DSC?
Resposta
Establishing contact and transferring calling or alert information using digital codes.
Targeta 17
Pregunta
In radio spectrum terminology, what does MF mean?
Resposta
Medium frequency: 300 kHz to 3 MHz.
Targeta 18
Pregunta
What is the international NAVTEX frequency?
Resposta
518 kHz.
Targeta 19
Pregunta
How many digits does an MMSI contain?
Resposta
Nine digits.
Targeta 20
Pregunta
Which category concerns an urgent safety message without the distress condition requiring immediate assistance?
Resposta
Urgency.
Targeta 21
Pregunta
In radio spectrum terminology, what does HF mean?
Resposta
High frequency: 3 to 30 MHz.
Targeta 22
Pregunta
In GMDSS, what does RMSS mean?
Resposta
Recognised Mobile Satellite Service: a satellite service recognised by IMO for GMDSS.
Targeta 23
Pregunta
How many kilohertz are in 1 MHz?
Resposta
1000 kHz.
Targeta 24
Pregunta
In a NAVTEX header, what does B1 identify?
Resposta
The transmitter.
Targeta 25
Pregunta
In radio spectrum terminology, what does VHF mean?
Resposta
Very high frequency: 30 to 300 MHz.
Targeta 26
Pregunta
Which category announces navigation-safety information or important meteorological warnings?
Resposta
Safety.
Targeta 27
Pregunta
Which radio coverage defines GMDSS sea area A1?
Resposta
VHF coast-station voice coverage with continuous DSC alerting, as defined by a Contracting Government.
Targeta 28
Pregunta
What do the Maritime Identification Digits in an MMSI identify?
Resposta
The administration with jurisdiction over the station.
Targeta 29
Pregunta
In a NAVTEX header, what does B2 identify?
Resposta
The message subject category.
Targeta 30
Pregunta
Which spoken maritime radio signal denotes distress?
Resposta
MAYDAY.
Targeta 31
Pregunta
Which radio coverage defines GMDSS sea area A2?
Resposta
MF coast-station voice coverage with continuous DSC alerting, outside A1, as defined by a Contracting Government.
Targeta 32
Pregunta
What atmospheric region enables HF skywave communication beyond the horizon?
Resposta
The ionosphere.
Targeta 33
Pregunta
What do the B3B4 characters in a NAVTEX header represent?
Resposta
The two-digit message number.
Targeta 34
Pregunta
Which spoken maritime radio signal denotes urgency?
Resposta
PAN PAN.
Targeta 35
Pregunta
Since 1 January 2024, what determines a ship’s GMDSS sea area A3?
Resposta
Its carried ship earth station’s recognised mobile satellite service coverage with continuous alerting, outside A1 and A2.
Targeta 36
Pregunta
Which language is used by the international NAVTEX service on 518 kHz?
Resposta
English.
Targeta 37
Pregunta
In ITU radio terminology, how do the two directions operate in simplex communication?
Resposta
Alternately: one direction transmits at a time.
Targeta 38
Pregunta
Which spoken maritime radio signal introduces safety traffic?
Resposta
SÉCURITÉ (SECURITE).
Targeta 39
Pregunta
How is GMDSS sea area A4 defined?
Resposta
The area outside A1, A2 and that ship’s A3.
Targeta 40
Pregunta
Which NAVTEX subject category does B2 = A represent?
Resposta
Navigational warnings.
Targeta 41
Pregunta
In ITU radio terminology, what does duplex operation permit?
Resposta
Simultaneous transmission in both directions.
Targeta 42
Pregunta
What is the priority order of distress, urgency, safety and routine radio traffic?
Resposta
Distress → urgency → safety → routine.
Targeta 43
Pregunta
Which marine VHF channel is reserved for DSC?
Resposta
Channel 70, 156.525 MHz; it is not a voice channel.
Targeta 44
Pregunta
Which NAVTEX subject category does B2 = B represent?
Resposta
Meteorological warnings.
Targeta 45
Pregunta
Which frequency band identifies the satellite distress-alerting function of a modern EPIRB?
Resposta
406 MHz.
Targeta 46
Pregunta
What are bridge-to-bridge communications in GMDSS terminology?
Resposta
Safety radio communications between ships from their navigating positions.
Targeta 47
Pregunta
Which marine VHF channel carries radiotelephony distress and safety traffic?
Resposta
Channel 16, 156.8 MHz.
Targeta 48
Pregunta
Which NAVTEX subject category does B2 = E represent?
Resposta
Meteorological forecasts.
Targeta 49
Pregunta
What does integrated GNSS add to an EPIRB distress alert?
Resposta
An encoded position from a Global Navigation Satellite System, helping rescuers locate the beacon.
Targeta 50
Pregunta
Which GMDSS communication function concerns units at the incident location?
Resposta
On-scene communications.
Targeta 51
Pregunta
Which MF frequency is used for DSC distress and safety calling?
Resposta
2187.5 kHz.
Targeta 52
Pregunta
Which NAVTEX subject category does B2 = C represent?
Resposta
Ice reports.
Targeta 53
Pregunta
Why does accurate EPIRB registration help rescue authorities?
Resposta
It links the beacon identity to vessel and contact information.
Targeta 54
Pregunta
What is the purpose of a GMDSS reserve source of energy?
Resposta
Powering distress and safety radio equipment if main and emergency electrical supplies fail.
Targeta 55
Pregunta
Which MF frequency is used for radiotelephony distress and safety communications?
Resposta
2182 kHz.
Targeta 56
Pregunta
Name the lower-frequency national NAVTEX channel distinct from international 518 kHz.
Resposta
490 kHz; availability and language depend on the national service.
Targeta 57
Pregunta
What is the role of an EPIRB’s low-power 121.5 MHz signal?
Resposta
Local homing by rescue units; Cospas-Sarsat satellites no longer process 121.5 MHz alerts.
Targeta 58
Pregunta
Does the CEPT GOC syllabus assess theory alone?
Resposta
No. It requires theoretical and practical tests.
Targeta 59
Pregunta
At the same wave speed, what happens to wavelength when frequency rises?
Resposta
Wavelength becomes shorter.
Targeta 60
Pregunta
In maritime satellite safety broadcasts, what does EGC stand for?
Resposta
Enhanced Group Call.
Targeta 61
Pregunta
What is the purpose of a float-free EPIRB’s hydrostatic release?
Resposta
Releasing the beacon from its bracket when submerged, so it can float free.
Targeta 62
Pregunta
Why does GMDSS communication planning consider the whole voyage?
Resposta
Service coverage, relevant stations and safety-information areas can change along the route.
Targeta 63
Pregunta
What is the standard ship-station MMSI pattern, using MID and X placeholders?
Resposta
MIDXXXXXX: three Maritime Identification Digits followed by six digits.
Targeta 64
Pregunta
Which named Inmarsat service broadcasts maritime safety information?
Resposta
SafetyNET.
Targeta 65
Pregunta
Does a beacon Return Link Service (RLS) indication mean a rescue has been launched?
Resposta
No. It confirms receipt, localisation and forwarding of the alert, not launch of a rescue.
Targeta 66
Pregunta
Two ships share a position outside A1/A2 but carry different RMSS terminals. Must their A3 coverage match?
Resposta
No. A3 depends on the RMSS supported by each ship’s carried earth station.
Targeta 67
Pregunta
What is the coast-station MMSI pattern, using MID and X placeholders?
Resposta
00MIDXXXX: two leading zeros, the MID, then four digits.
Targeta 68
Pregunta
Which named Iridium service broadcasts maritime safety information?
Resposta
SafetyCast.
Targeta 69
Pregunta
Why use an EPIRB’s approved self-test instead of ordinary activation for practice?
Resposta
Ordinary activation can transmit a real distress alert and divert rescue resources.
Targeta 70
Pregunta
What is a NAVAREA used to coordinate?
Resposta
Navigational warnings for a defined sea area.
Targeta 71
Pregunta
What is the primary role of a radar SART?
Resposta
Helping nearby rescue units locate survivors through a radar response. SART means Search and Rescue Transponder.
Targeta 72
Pregunta
A training question asks for voice transmission on VHF channel 70. What is the conceptual error?
Resposta
Channel 70 is for DSC, not radiotelephony.
Targeta 73
Pregunta
What is a METAREA used to coordinate?
Resposta
Marine meteorological warnings and forecasts for a defined sea area.
Targeta 74
Pregunta
Which IAMSAR volume is intended for vessels and other mobile facilities?
Resposta
Volume III, Mobile Facilities.
Targeta 75
Pregunta
Why can an HF link become unreliable during disturbed space weather?
Resposta
Changes in the ionosphere can degrade or disrupt HF propagation.
Targeta 76
Pregunta
Which radar band does a GMDSS radar SART use?
Resposta
9.2–9.5 GHz, in the 9 GHz/X-band radar region.
Targeta 77
Pregunta
Why is preventing false distress alerts a safety issue?
Resposta
False alerts can divert search-and-rescue resources from real emergencies.
Targeta 78
Pregunta
Does receiving a NAVTEX transmitter’s signal prove that every received warning concerns the ship’s position?
Resposta
No. Radio coverage and the transmitter’s defined service area are different concepts.
Targeta 79
Pregunta
A training display says an RLS alert was received. What rescue outcome must not be inferred?
Resposta
That rescue units have already been dispatched or will arrive at a particular time.
Targeta 80
Pregunta
How does an AIS-SART provide a locating signal?
Resposta
By transmitting search-and-rescue locating information on Automatic Identification System (AIS) frequencies.
80 targetes
GMDSS GOC Flashcards: Radio Concepts and Terminology
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