VHF Usage

PascalG

PascalG

Moderator
Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2003
RO Number
12212
Messages
12,219
how do you use your VHF ? do you...

note: Monitor means having the VHF tuned to the channel(s) and paying attention. If it's on but away from the helm, if it's on so low you can't hear,... you are not monitoring. Monitoring both 16 and 13 means either scanning or having two VHF.
 
How about always 16 and usually also 13, but sometimes 9, 68, 72 - depending on conditions, location and what's going on around me.
 
I think this poll may be difficult due to geographical differences. Out here, 16 is THE hailing and emergency channel. 13 isn't used. We also use 9 for opening and closing bridges and 14 is for VTS. When I'm in the Delta I monitor 72 for our yacht club traffic and 16 for emergencies. When in the Bay I monitor 16, 14 and 19 which is used by our local fishing club.
 
well, if in you area, commercial vessels are on 9 instead of 13, select an option including 13. in so FL. they are on 13 and 9 is only used for bridge openings.
 
My radio is the first thing turned on along with my blower. 16 is the hailing & emergency channel for my area which is where I stayed dialed in.
 
Same as most above. I monitor/scan 5 channels total. 16; 9; 22; 68; 88
 
There is no area where only commercial vessels are on 9. Before we get too far off course, let me list the channels that are of concern to the recreational boater:

DISTRESS SAFETY AND CALLING - Use this channel to get the attention of another station (calling) or in emergencies (distress and safety). 16

NONCOMMERCIAL - Working channels for voluntary boats. Messages must be about the needs of the ship. Typical uses include fishing reports, rendezvous,scheduling repairs and berthing information. Use Channels 67 and 72 only for ship-to-ship messages. 9, 68, 69, 71, 72, 78,
79, 80, 67.

COAST GUARD LIAISON - Use this channel to talk to the Coast Guard (but first make contact on Channel 16). 22

NAVIGATIONAL - (Also known as the bridge-to-bridge channel.) This channel is available to all ships. Messages must be about ship navigation, for example, passing or meeting other ships. You must keep your messages short. Your power output must not be more than one watt. This is also the main working channel at most locks and drawbridges. 13, 6

http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/vhfchanl.html

Vessels of more than 20 meters are required by law to maintain a watch on 13 when in US waters.

Some of you may remember the stink we raised when district 1 decided to limit rec boaters to 9 after the FCC declared 9 as a recreational hailing channel and the letter we got from Admiral Honchowitz rescinding that practice. This is a very important safety subject and one that we should all know intimately.
 
Sea Gull has it -- I do the same thing, sometimes monitoring working channels so I know which one is free if I want to hail someone and switch them over to a working channel.
 
For those north of the border or those venturing north, here's a table with the VHF working channels in Canada and their regional variations. If you've got more specific questions on marine communications in Canada I can help.

http://boating.ncf.ca/vhfchannels.html

Rick
 
Always 16 and 68 or 72. Two fixed mounted VHF's and two hand helds on board.
 
Radio goes on as soon as we get on the boat. Stays on 16, working chsnnel is 12 and 68 in our area.
Shrimp boats in the area usually on 72.
 
Blue, how do you get away with using 12 as a working channel?
 
As soon as I am on board I scan 16,13,9 and 22A with the main radio, the portable handheld at the helm is always on 16.
 
Les; we hail our marina on 16, instructed to turn to 12. I know City marina uses 68, Port Royal is using 12, Skull harbor in HH uses 68. All three marinas within 7 or 8 miles of one another w/ Port Royal in Btw. I always thought they went to 12 to elimnate radio traffic.
 
Let me clarify that Les, 12 is only working channel for the marina-not boat to boat.
Soryy if I confused you.
 
I scan 16, 22, 68, 69, 71, 72

What's the deal with DSC - doesn't that transmit on 72? or because that's digital it doesn't interfere with voice traffic?
 
I always have it on in scan mode. But in a small, fast outboard, forget about hearing anything at cruising speeds. (45 + MPH). And that Inline 6 has a beautiful intake howl that pretty much drowns out anything else over about 4500 RPM. But at idle or slow speeds and when I'm fishing it's always on. Even did some serious noise suppresion on my depth finders to eliminate interference.
 
16 on the hard-wired, scan on the handheld. Hard-wired's at the helm - handheld travels with me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top