Vhf lesson

[RussGW270]

So, to me..a VHF radio is touched when and if an emergency occurs...but I would love to learn how to use it more as a tool.

So, how do you get ahold of boats around you or talk to friends that may be near etc?

What and how do you use a vhf radio more than just in an emergency?

I will have two, so can leave one listening to weather or emergencies? And use the other if I ever make friends out there? Lol

 

[Willy-C]

First thing you should find out if one of your VHF radios is up to date with the DSC (digital selective calling) functions. Then find out from the previous owner if he had a MMSI number registered to the vhf.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=MMSI+number

If your vhf and first/chart plotter are compatible then find out how to connect them together. Lots of good reading on the internet about this subject.

 

[wspitler]

Different groups use different frequencies to communicate. Varies by groups and locations. Marina scuttlebutt is a good way to establish communications. Listen to local talk which may begin on CH16, but if it regards fishing it may be encrypted so everyone won't be able to figure out where to fish and what's biting. Channel 16 is reserved for distress and calling. In other words, you can call someone by call sign, typically boat name, and tell them to switch to a "working" frequency. For example: Channel 13 is bridge to bridge. Channels 21, 22, and 23 are Coast Guard frequencies and can sometimes be used to talk to them, although those are not continuously monitored as CH 16 is. Some channels are duplex and transmit on one frequency and receive on another. Here's a table: http://www.csgnetwork.com/marinefreqtable.html

 

[RussGW270]

Oh, forgot to ask about the old vhf. The new one I ordered myself and is a new RS35.

Will ask him if he registered it.

 

[Doc Stressor]

This covers pretty much what you need to know:

Marine VHF Protocol

You initiate calls on 16 or 9 and then switch to another channel to talk. In some areas, the Coasties don't like you to call other boats on 16 except for emergencies. That want you to use 9 because of essential traffic on 16. The common channels for communicating with non-commercial friends are 68, 69, 71, 72, and 78. Again, the best channel depends on your particular area.

You flip the DSC emergency switch only if you are in immediate trouble. If your radio has a built-in GPS or is connected to a GPS it will automatically broadcast your position.

Your RS35 has AIS capability, which is useful for locating commercial boats near you. But it's really only useful in areas with a lot of big commercial traffic.

 

[RussGW270]

Thanks guys. You all gave me some good information to read this week. While I may know how to drive a boat safely, more pointedly on fresh water, I have never really expanded my “circle of friends” or knowledge when it came to the coast or other boaters....so never learned or cared to do so about things like this. I am hoping there is a need to use this in the future heh.

R

 

[seasick]

Local areas use different channels for 'social' communications. In the waters I boat, 68 and 10 are popular. You should ask local boaters what channel they use.
Channel 16 is often abused and I don't encourage folks to use it to hail. In addition, many local boaters who use a 'social' channel like 68, don't listen to 16. You are supposed to monitor 16 for distress and other critical messages. Most if not all radios have the ability to monitor two channels, 16 and another you choose ( tri watch, three channels is a common option also). Having two radios makes things a bit easier. Listing to channel 16 could save someones life or vessel if the emergency is close by to your location and you can offer aid.

One way to find out who is chatting on what channel is to use the scan feature of your radio. You can scan some or all of the channels and listen for conversions. When you hear a conversation like " How are the sea conditions in the channel" or " are the fish biting" or similar chat, take a look at the display to see what channel the scanner locked onto. Often, that will be the channel that the locals use.

 

[Fishtales]

most harbors have a sign that will give you local channels to use. you can hail a harbormaster on 16 if in a harbor, they will direct you to their comms channel, then you can ask your questions.

 

[magicalbill]

most harbors have a sign that will give you local channels to use. you can hail a harbormaster on 16 if in a harbor, they will direct you to their comms channel, then you can ask your questions.

One more thing; when you hail another party on #16 with the intention of non-emergency ship-to-ship conversation, make your connection, pick a channel and switch to it. Keep any exchange on #16 to a bare minimum.

All too often I hear back-and-forth on 16 before one of the parties realizes they need to switch to another frequency.

 

[Fishtales]

goes without saying, if you don't switch you are clogging the emergency channel - not good to do...

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

I only get to fish but a handful of days a year. I mainly target dolphin (mahi,) and when I get my lines in the sea and I am on the troll I like to bop over to 68-69 which are the local chat channels and radio fish as it were. A lot of local guys will say hey fish on and many are nice about the general area, water depth and temp. If we are having a good we will share that knowledge back out on the airwaves.

Radio fishing on the troll either verifies we are having a good or bad day or it's good or bad for all. Misery loves company so when it's slow for us I kind of feel better spending hundreds of dollars on fuel and bait and not having any luck. On the other hand if it's great for some people and we are sucking bait, well radio fishing just makes a bad day worse. Lol.

 

[teaklejr]

I never leave the dock without mine on. Came home one day after fishing and heard a boat had started to sink around where I was fishing but did not have vhf on. If I had it on I would have heard the distress call and could have helped out. Everyone was ok but that is why I have mine on at all times now. I monitor channels 16, 22a and 68 in tri watch mode.

 

[RussGW270]

Oh, always left mine on.. the times I had a VHF on the last boat... heh... but it was set to listen for emergencies.. and I never understood how to do more as I was always within sight of shore and rarely on saltwater due to the proximity of the main lake I went to. Now, I am only 30 minutes further to the ocean... so.. hell yea

I do, however, wonder what it would be like to take this to Lake Buchanan.. hehe

God forbid I tried to launch this on Lake Bastrop.. I think the spillway might have to be open if I tried that

R