Hi All, I need to vent a little. This summer the VHF traffic on chanel 9 & 16 has been ridiculous here in Casco Bay. One of the things that bugs me most is people don't seem to realize they even have a low power setting! Hello!! Even if they do realize it they continue to use the high power setting anyway? The result is that people sometimes up to 20nm away are stomping others who are using low power appropriately to perhaps call the launch or the local pump out service. There are numerous marinas & yacht clubs in and around Casco Bay so there's enough low power traffic already. It's really anoying having to deal with people chatting about the "wind conditions" 18nm away, while on a working chanel & on high power. We constantly hear people hailing the lauch at Sebasco Estates and other destinations more than 12 NM away? C'mon people what gives? I'm asking each and every sailor on this board to do his/her part. When you can identify someone obviously on high power needlesly please switch to your high power setting and politely ask them to use their low power setting. The stupidity is killing me this summer!!!!!! Here's a tip if your entering a harbor and hailing the marina or harbormaster and are less than 3nm away low power is appropriate! Most low power settings will go at least 5nm. You don't need to be notifying everyone in a 30nm radius that you need help docking your boat.... Thanks for allowing me to vent!
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Got 2 more for you
"Can I get a radio check on 16" ugh! and "boat to bridge" on 16. Please use something like 68 for radio checks. And bridges on 9 in Florida captains, oh they like it when you actually know the name of the bridge "boat".
"Can I get a radio check on 16" ugh! and "boat to bridge" on 16. Please use something like 68 for radio checks. And bridges on 9 in Florida captains, oh they like it when you actually know the name of the bridge "boat".
Right on, bro!
In addition to inconsiderate high power users, here on the Chesapeake we get lots of VHFers calling to chat about where the fish are biting, how much beer they have left, and what they are having for dinner --- all the while on Channel 16. And I haven't even mentioned the radio-checkers. For these, and related reasons, I hardly ever cruise with my VHF on.
In addition to inconsiderate high power users, here on the Chesapeake we get lots of VHFers calling to chat about where the fish are biting, how much beer they have left, and what they are having for dinner --- all the while on Channel 16. And I haven't even mentioned the radio-checkers. For these, and related reasons, I hardly ever cruise with my VHF on.
I dislike the traffic on 16 also, but 9?
I have done the correct thing to get a radio check on 9 and no one listens to it. Does your radio have the ability to scan multiple channels? I never hear anyone trying on 9 because no one listens to it. While you are scanning - you get the person who ask for a radio check and does not identify what channel they are on. EOL Jim S/V Java
I have done the correct thing to get a radio check on 9 and no one listens to it. Does your radio have the ability to scan multiple channels? I never hear anyone trying on 9 because no one listens to it. While you are scanning - you get the person who ask for a radio check and does not identify what channel they are on. EOL Jim S/V Java
I'll have to crawl under the keel
I just checked my VHF handheld and noticed it was set for High Power because I never had a good idea on the range. Sometimes when we call he tender I think we need the Super High Power. I know what you are referring to in listening into other peoples conversation because they are High Power. During last weeks race, it sounded like the dating game. Regardless, our VHF handheld is now at low power.
I just checked my VHF handheld and noticed it was set for High Power because I never had a good idea on the range. Sometimes when we call he tender I think we need the Super High Power. I know what you are referring to in listening into other peoples conversation because they are High Power. During last weeks race, it sounded like the dating game. Regardless, our VHF handheld is now at low power.
I have heard...
Communications traffic from Catalina Island, Long Beach, and Los Angeles while in my slip in San Diego. Distance? Up to 80nm away. I have been told that if one needs a radio check, one should find a channel that is currently being used (except 16) and wait for the conversation to end. Then ask for a radio check. Channel 68 seems very active in San Diego area. But I think any one of these channels can be used, yes? 9, 68, 69, 71, 72, 78, 79, 80, or 67.
Communications traffic from Catalina Island, Long Beach, and Los Angeles while in my slip in San Diego. Distance? Up to 80nm away. I have been told that if one needs a radio check, one should find a channel that is currently being used (except 16) and wait for the conversation to end. Then ask for a radio check. Channel 68 seems very active in San Diego area. But I think any one of these channels can be used, yes? 9, 68, 69, 71, 72, 78, 79, 80, or 67.
Low power VHF
It wasn't until about three years ago that I was made aware of my ignorance about using the low power function. We have a fairly tall stick that brings in everything from Northern New Jersey to Cape Cod if the conditions are right. I keep tuned to 16 because that is what the regulations say, but the radio checks are annoying and I never answer, although sometimes the CG does with an admonition. Bridges here are on 13, although you wouldn't know it from the yakking on 16. Barges and ships in the Sound are also on 13, and although there is a lot of traffic, if you filter it properly, you can learn a lot about who is going where. Submarine traffic is usually 16, but they don't say much except "Move, please." Pat and Bill, O28 (needs a home!)/O40, New London, CT
It wasn't until about three years ago that I was made aware of my ignorance about using the low power function. We have a fairly tall stick that brings in everything from Northern New Jersey to Cape Cod if the conditions are right. I keep tuned to 16 because that is what the regulations say, but the radio checks are annoying and I never answer, although sometimes the CG does with an admonition. Bridges here are on 13, although you wouldn't know it from the yakking on 16. Barges and ships in the Sound are also on 13, and although there is a lot of traffic, if you filter it properly, you can learn a lot about who is going where. Submarine traffic is usually 16, but they don't say much except "Move, please." Pat and Bill, O28 (needs a home!)/O40, New London, CT
high power use
Another problem arrises for launch opperators that have to deal with other marinas /yatcht clubs ie boston yatcht club monitors 68 salem willows 68 salem water taxi 68 so when a boat with a common name hails on high power , well guess what ! if the opperator only hears the name of the boat you may be waiting awhile , or you may have a launch pulling up unexpectly. I must say most people learn early in the season to use low power
Another problem arrises for launch opperators that have to deal with other marinas /yatcht clubs ie boston yatcht club monitors 68 salem willows 68 salem water taxi 68 so when a boat with a common name hails on high power , well guess what ! if the opperator only hears the name of the boat you may be waiting awhile , or you may have a launch pulling up unexpectly. I must say most people learn early in the season to use low power
Radio Check with portable - not
Ted, the point of a radio check is to see how the equipment is working so you can't do a radio check with a portable (which has a high and low) and feel your permanent radio is working fine. I often wonder how many are operating VHF's without license - and by definition - without training. I suspect a lot, if the rant against high powered radio usage is any indication.
Ted, the point of a radio check is to see how the equipment is working so you can't do a radio check with a portable (which has a high and low) and feel your permanent radio is working fine. I often wonder how many are operating VHF's without license - and by definition - without training. I suspect a lot, if the rant against high powered radio usage is any indication.
Well, RSN48, VHF Licenses are NOT required
for pleasure boats, and, when they were, it was a station license only, not an operator license. You're correct, a little training woule be good, but since no license is required for a US registered boat operating in US waters, it's a little tough to require it. Steve Alchemist
for pleasure boats, and, when they were, it was a station license only, not an operator license. You're correct, a little training woule be good, but since no license is required for a US registered boat operating in US waters, it's a little tough to require it. Steve Alchemist
Surprised you don't need ROC
In Canada, you must have a Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC) to legally operate your VHF radiotelephone. That applies to US visitors in Canadian waters as well. We are also advised to make sure we have our ROC paperwork with us when we sail into US ports - they are mandatory in order to operate VHF in both countries. You're right on the old station license having been discontinued in both countries. I thought the FCC insisted on operator licensing.
In Canada, you must have a Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC) to legally operate your VHF radiotelephone. That applies to US visitors in Canadian waters as well. We are also advised to make sure we have our ROC paperwork with us when we sail into US ports - they are mandatory in order to operate VHF in both countries. You're right on the old station license having been discontinued in both countries. I thought the FCC insisted on operator licensing.
U.S waters only
Alchemist is right in that you don't need a license to operate a VHF radio in the U.S. But that only applies to pleasure boats registered in the U.S. while in U.S. waters. If you head out of country to Canada or Mexico, then a ship's license is required.
Alchemist is right in that you don't need a license to operate a VHF radio in the U.S. But that only applies to pleasure boats registered in the U.S. while in U.S. waters. If you head out of country to Canada or Mexico, then a ship's license is required.
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