I recall years ago just listening to radio traffic on 16 and trying to follow the drama when someone was trying to reach Seatow or the USCG... far too often you could only hear one side of the conversation... and had to just piece together the other half... and wonder.

I recall one funny call where a captain says he "needs fuel," and the responder asks "what sort of boat..." captain says "sailboat..." responder says, "use the sails."

A few times near Catalina I have heard the Pan Pan for some lost boat or jet ski... never a good thing... always wondered... did they find those lost souls.

Just the other day for the first time I tried the SeaTow automatic radio test responder... good to know my radio and voice come through nice and clear... even on my ancient radio set. (I swear it has tubes...) I think I honestly have only used the radio once.

Test your radio if you have not done so in a while... who knows what corroded away when you weren't looking. http://www.seatow.com/boating-safety/automated-radio-checks