VHF Usage

9 and 16. 9 for hailing, radio checks, etc. then switch to a working channel. 16 for emergencies, etc.
 
Scan oft-used channels including 13, with 16 designated priority channel.
 
Tagging on to Absoloot, you gotta watch 14 in addition to 13 and 16 in the Bay; so that's why I put "usually" both. In other areas, you have to add 9 in the mix to keep track of what's happening with the bridges. PNW, 14 and 5. Houston 11/12 . Monitoring VTS in those areas is a good survival tactic.

Bob, DSC is 70.

When in SW Fla, south of Tampa Bay, it's 16 and 9 for me.

George
 
My marina uses 11. So I usually switch between 11 and 16. I can program the radio to scan, but rarely do so because the "ladies bridge club", as we call it, is usually transmitting on at least 5 different stations along with the drunk with the mic constantly on somewhere.
 
I always have mine on scan..I monitor both coasty stations..16-22A...but then I monitor 14 for freighter traffic, and then 68-72....I also have a hand held that I use for speaking to the boat that is usually close too me......
 
Are all draw and swing bridges on ch-13 on the east coast? When I leave N. Myrtle beach heading north into North Carolina the first bridge I come to is the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge and they use ch-9.
 
Like many posts above, the radio goes on right after the blower. Here in the PNW ch. 16 is the one.

Pete
 
VHF's go on before the engines start - normally monitor 16 & 9. In Galveston Bay we have a VTS for the Houston Ship Channel - uses channels 11 & 12. When in the Bay the CG recommendation is monitoring the appropriate VTS channel instead of 16. 13 is used for bridge-to-bridge between ships in the channel.
 
We monitor channel 16 when we are running by our selves, but when we travel with a group we monitor channel 72 .
 
With cellphones there has been a dramatic decrease in VHF traffic. 16 is used primarily as a calling freq by people trying to get together. These days they just use the phone. We can go a whole Sat afternoon & hardly hear a peep on ch16.

Still, it is a good habit to keep the vhf on just in case you can be of assistance to somebody nearby with problems. We do NOT have a Sea Tow or CG to come rushing to our assistance.
 
Les posted the following link for FCC and Marine VHF Radio Channels. At the bottom of the link they have a PDF format option. I printed this (2 copies) PDF and got the wife two laminate same. I will now keep this on the bridge along with my other cheat sheets so I can study and refer to same as needed, the 2nd copy is for my brother who just bought his first larger boat a 2900 Tiara open.
Thanks Les this is a great help
I now think I will get a plastic 3 ring binder and put all the cheat sheets in one place. I have rules of the road, electronic navigation, one markers (navigation aids) and something else.
John d

Originally posted by Les Hall
http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/vhfchanl.html
Click to expand...
 
On our way out from the mooring I always turn on the VHF to ch2 and get the weather, then turn to 16 and leave it.

Only actually use the VHF to contact local RCC when I have the cub scouts out for an afternoon of fishing during summer camp.
 
‘roud my parts, Lake Winnebago and the connecting lakes of the Fox and Wolf River there are 7 road bridges that open. You need to hail them on channel 16 for a bridge opening. If you hail them on any other channel they will not answer because they are not listening to any other channel.

Once making contact they may ask you to go to another channel but most bridges will not ask, they will reply saying something like “Oshkosh Avenue bridge, 10-4”

There is also a railroad bridge in Oshkosh, WI. It does not matter what channel you use to hail them, there is no one there. You have to call the attendant via a cell phone, a good 70 miles away, and ask for a opening. They claim they are open unless a train is coming but never define the word “coming.” In theory there is always a train coming, right?
 
Regarding FCC TITLE 47, VOL 5, PART 80.310. Has it been changed in the last several years? As it was written voluntary vessels not equipped with DSC(that's most of us) had no obligation to maintain a radio watch of any kind. Still true? JS
 
--- that is if the radio wasn't turned on. After some digging around in my Dell I found something that said that changed in 2004. Basicly saying turn it on and maintain a watch. About right? JS
 
yes, the law was changed. You are not required to have a radio but, if you do, you are required to monitor 16.
 
Thanks Les. It used to be great fun to bet a beer on 47 5 80 310. Even with a print out as proof collecting the beer was tough. Many simply would not believe their own eyes. JS
 
I always have the VHF on, I always have it scanning, and I never can hear it, even though it's turned up all the way. My stereo is 100 amps, coming out of four six by nine speakers, and I don't ever bother turning it on when I'm under way, because I can't hear it - so there is no way I'm going to be able to hear a puny little VHF speaker with it's minimal wattage.

Is there anyone who pilots in any open type cockpit, without the benefit of a windshield to hide behind, that can hear a VHF at speeds over 25 knots? I certainly can't. Even in my last boat, with twin gas inboards, regular sized mufflers, at approx 3000 rpm ( 12 knots), there was no chance of hearing the vhf clearly when underway.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Les Hall

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

Click to expand...


Les:

FYI on the West Coast this year the Canadian Coast Guard has switched from Channel 22A to Channel 84A and they can be hailed directly on 84A.
This may also apply to USCG in WA and AK.

Also, all Marinas are to Monitor 66A rather than 16.

OS
 
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