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Hello H.E.,

The "A" or alpha designation on your VHF simply means a "U.S." channel. Some European VHF's are not equipped with a "USA" mode and would have to find another working channel with the Coast Guard. So when the Coast Guard gives you a working channel followed by "alpha" that is their way of designating a US mode channel.

All the best,

Captain Craig Bliss

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Hi H.E.,

Alpha simply means that you need to be on a U.S. compatible simplex channel (sends and receives on the same frequency). The Coast Guard will usually say something like switch to 21-Alpha. If you have a VHF that is switchable between US and International, it is the Coast Guard's way of making sure the set is switched to U.S. mode.

Best,

Captain Mike Clayton

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Hi H.E.,

The Cost Guard instruction word of "alpha" is for the letter "A". They are instructing you to change to a channel such as 22A on your VHF radio. The "A" following the channel number is an indicator for an American or U.S. channel specifically designated by the U.S. Coast Guard. This means your VHF radio needs to be a U.S. compatible radio - - the frequencies differ slightly from International models.

You probably haven't noticed but on most U.S. manufactured VHF models with a digital screen showing the channel designation, the "A" will appear to the right of the channel number. The number is usually much larger than the letter, so unless you are looking for it most people will miss it.

Hope this helps,

Captain Gordon Hartschuh