Oilfield VHF Radio Use

Oilfield VHF radio use was something I was introduced to on my first day in the oilfields. There was no orientation, training, or quick rundown on what to do, or to expect.

It was a typical icy, narrow, oilfield road and I wish I’d read an article like this to have some idea of what to expect. Thankfully, I was following another driver and I listened carefully knowing I could possibly be on my own on the way out. I was glad I listened, because that’s exactly what happened.

Welcome to Section 7 of our 8 Part Oilfield Trucking Series. If you’ve landed on this page from a web search, make sure you check out the rest of the series.

We already covered some dangers of off road driving like road conditions, narrow roads, small one lane bridges and steep grades. Proper oilfield VHF radio use is what makes this job safer when dealing with these conditions. Of all the truck driver accessories you’ll need in the oilfields, this is one of the most important ones. There are still other things you’ll need to be prepared and we’ll cover those in the next section.

Why a VHF Radio?

If you’re from the east, you’ll find truckers CB usage in western Canada is almost non existent even on the highways. The other things is the oilfield truckers lingo may be a little different than what you’re used to, but you’ll get used to it just like the VHF radio.

VHF (Very High Frequency) radios are used over a CB radio because they have better range, less interference, clear sound quality and a larger channel capacity than a standard CB radio.

A VHF radio should be tested as part of your pre-trip inspection (just like a blower or wet kit). You’re not going to drive 300 km of highway, and another 3 hours of bush roads to find out something essential doesn’t work when you get there, so don’t leave without performing a radio check.

Some roads will have security check points, and won’t let you proceed without a good working radio when you sign in. They may let you proceed with another vehicle to escort you, but don’t count on it. More and more companies are getting stickier with the rules.

VHF Road Channels

Most oilfield roads will have a designated channel that is posted at the entrance, or noted on your driving directions. I have on occasion driven on roads with no designated channel, or have optional use of radios. This never made sense in an industry that pushes so hard for safety, but it happens.

Sometimes you’ll have to make an extra effort to find out a channel either by stopping someone on their way out, or using the scan feature on your radio to try and pick up other users. (Be resourceful when it comes to your safety.)

There’s also times you’ll enter a road at another point other than a main entrance with no sign to identify the road or the channel. Some of the main bush roads could be over 100 km long, with multiple roads you can enter or leave from. They won’t post signs at all these entrances.

For this reason, oilfield driving also requires good route planning just like highway or city work. I got into the habit of getting as much information from dispatch, or other drivers whenever I could. Chances are someone has been down that road before and could warn you of any hazards associated with that road. They can also point out things like switchbacks, steep hills and good locations to chain up.

Keep in mind that things can change quickly working off road. You could find a designated road channel was changed to something else since the last time you visited the road. This could be the result of increased traffic volume for the channel, another nearby road using the same channel, changes in road use agreements, or ownership of the road.

You’ll find the rules can be different depending on the Province, road or region, but most roads have a “Road use agreement” contract that you’re responsible for knowing. This is a guide to let you know all the rules and regulations in place for that road. this brings us to another topic.

Road bans

Road owners can place bans at any time. Weight restrictions and bans happen every spring when the frost comes out of the ground, but bans can also be for other reasons. Bans are placed on roads during wet conditions depending on how well the road is built.  Some are high grade quality with a good gravel base, while others are dirt and become very muddy.

Some of the busier roads have bans to truck traffic during peak times for workers in smaller vehicles under 1 or 5 tons. These bans are usually posted at the main entrance to an oilfield. To save yourself grief, try to ask this question to your dispatcher before you leave on your trip.

Continue reading Oilfield VHF Radio Use…..

Calling out Road Markers 

Almost all oilfield roads have km markers and proper Oilfield VHF radio use means calling out these markers to identify your location to other road users. Some roads will have markers every km, while others may mark every 2, 5, or 10 km. Whether you have to call out markers or not depends on the condition of the road, width, or amount of traffic.

A wider gravel secondary road like the Alberta Forestry Truck Road has markers used more for identification to find other roads running off it than for calling out your location to others.

You can still be considerate to let people know where you are even if it’s not required. At an 8o km/hr speed limit, it allows both parties the chance to slow down and not shower each other with rocks if they meet on a bend or hill.

Becoming a truck driver in the oilfields means being a considerate driver. There’s already enough bad apples out there as you’ll quickly find out. Being a considerate and professional driver can also help your career if you decide to make a move up the ladder, or move to another company.

Some oilfield roads are so busy you may have a difficult time getting a word in as to your location. This can be frustrating for drivers because important information can be missed when people “double up” by trying to talk at the same time. Instead of calling in every km marker, only call in important markers. These are designated with a different colour like red or orange, or with a “must call” sign (Sometimes marked “MC”).

How using VHF makes the roads safer

The VHF radio allows everyone to be defensive when approaching hazards.

You’ll also see specifically marked signs in red, or some other colour than the rest of the markers. These are often recommended call in signs. They can also be marked on the sign, “Must Call”. This usually indicates an intersection, bridge, steep hill, switchback or another hazard that you, or the other traffic is approaching.

This allows you to take action by communicating with the other party that may be close to either stop, slow down, or pull off to the side. Most roads will have small pull outs for dangerous areas in each direction before a hazard of this type.

On narrow roads like this try to be considerate, but also use your head. If there’s only one of you as opposed to a group travelling the other way, stop for them. It’s much easier to find a spot for one vehicle to pull out than a group.

Unwritten rules

Unwritten rules are actually the key to better oilfield VHF radio use. It’s all about using your head for courtesy and safety. Don’t let the rules and regulations completely dictate how you drive. Please don’t be like this next driver that needs a sign to tell him how to drive with courtesy. so here’s the story,

I nearly had an accident once with a speeding driver who didn’t call out when he should have for safety reasons. I asked him why he never called out and his response was,

“I don’t have to call out because there’s no mandatory must call sign there.”

We’re becoming so conditioned in western society we’re losing our ability to think morally and ethically. We’re far too busy with rules and regulations to teach that nonsense stuff anyway I guess.

So here’s a few unwritten rules just so you have an idea of what we mean.

If you’re leading a pack of vehicles, you should call yourself in as a “bunch” or a “few”.

If you pass someone at or near a marker, it’s acceptable to call in for both of you by saying “both ways at marker___”.

If you hear someone just entering the road and you know there won’t be a call out sign before you meet them, let them know where you are the best way you can.

Always try to give way to large loads no matter what the general rules are for that road. They are general rules only and can’t apply to every situation.

You’ll find some specific posted rules like “Log trucks have the right of way.” This means that you HAVE to stop for log trucks that are loaded. These are not typical log trucks as they are wide, long, and heavier than what most people are used to seeing.

A fairly new trend I’ve heard is drivers using the term “Heavy” just because they have a load on. This should not be used for regular loaded trucks. If you’ve designated yourself as a truck then we know you’re heavy. This is confusing and it’s a term that should only be used if you have an over sized or excessively heavy load.

When you do get into a dicey situation with a vehicle, remember it will be easier to tow out the car than your truck. You’ll find most small vehicle traffic will give the right of way to bigger trucks on the more dangerous roads.

Be aware that there are lots of other rules both written, and unwritten, you’ll find out as you go. You’ll get it after a while. Pay attention to the radio and learn from others.

Continue reading Oilfield VHF Radio Use…..

Identifying your Direction

When travelling in the direction where the km marker numbers are going up, you’re considered “Empty”. When the numbers are going down, you’re “Loaded”. This confuses new people headed to a location with a load on their trailer when they’re calling out empty. (You’ll get used to it.)

It can also be challenging changing from one road to another. You could be travelling empty as the markers are going up, but as soon as you turn off to another road the markers could be going down instead of up. So now you’ll still be going into location, but your call in changed from Empty to Loaded with the road switch.

This can change on some roads especially in BC. They may use “Up” and “Down” instead of “Loaded” and “Empty” for directional identification.

Other Situations

There will always be other situations arise that may not have a standard way of communication. Just do your best to let others know what you are, where you are, and what you’re doing.

For example:

Short roads coming off a main road into a lease location may not always have a name, channel or km markers and these are often the most narrow roads you’ll be on. In this case drivers often use terms like: leaving location, headed into, coming out of, etc. They usually identify the marker on the road where they enter or leave, the oil company, or the LSD of the lease as a road identifier. (We’ll cover what an LSD is is the next section on Truckers Equipment, GPS and driving directions.)

Basic examples of what you might hear over the radio:

• “Tanker leaving the Jedney at 7 headed into location, is there anyone coming out?”
• “Loaded tanker, 6 Jedney”
• “Empty body job approaching km 12 bridge on the Jedney”

So they’re identifying what direction they’re travelling in, what they are, the km marker, and the road they’re on. You’ll find that road users can say this many different ways, so long as they use the main identifiers.

There’s always someone watching or listening!

Be respectful, courteous, and remember that you’re driving a company billboard. You never know who’s listening to your conversation over the radio. If you do something wrong, chances are your dispatcher will know right away.

Speed limits are usually posted and some roads will have multiple speed limits for vehicles 1 ton and under, and another limit for heavy truck traffic. Getting caught speeding could get you, and even your company banned from a road.

One more note about being considerate with oilfield VHF radio use is to turn off your stereo. You may not think it’s loud, but your microphone is more sensitive than you think. It’s very annoying to other drivers when they can’t distinguish between your voice and the stereo

Thanks for reading Oilfield VHF Radio Use

Let’s wrap up this Oilfield trucking series with the rest of the truckers equipment you may need in your travels. GPS, cell phones, wifi, and being prepared with food, tools, and emergency supplies will all be covered.