Which VHF Channels do you moniter?
- Thread starter chrisings
- Start date
Vessel Traffic Service CH 14 here ALWAYS, Ch 12 offshore marine traffic when nearing the Golden Gate Bridge. Plus anything either the racing committee or cruising group selects. Why anything else?
Ch. 16 - ship to ship, emergency, universal US hailing.
Ch. 09 - what the CG told us they wanted to use instead of Ch.16, but no one does.
Ch. 13 - your direct line to commercial shipping bridge or pilot, use this instead of 16 to talk to the big boys. Also used for lifting bridge-tenders.
Ch. 09 - what the CG told us they wanted to use instead of Ch.16, but no one does.
Ch. 13 - your direct line to commercial shipping bridge or pilot, use this instead of 16 to talk to the big boys. Also used for lifting bridge-tenders.
I use the scan feature and monitor all the freqs. If one has lots of "fishing news" I can delete that from the scan for the day.
On normal days just 16.
If racing the racing channel, usually 72.
Go to TWO-TWO-ALPHA if the coasties have something interesting to say.
I can't stand monitoring more. Around the Apostles there are lots and lots of charter-boats, more than privately owned most days out. They clog the air with mindless chatter. They fall into two camps:
1) Radar O'reilly wanna-bees. Or worse sparky. Took a VHF class for ASA 104 and now they think they have to call 'negative contact' after each of the 15 times they try and raise their friends. PROTIP: Unless you are keeping a required VHF log you don't have to do that. No one cares.
2) CW McCall types, who use CB trunking lingo on the VHF. What's your 20?? Please!
The BOTH wait way too short a time between a non-response on 16. People, they are SAILING. Give them a minute to get to the mic!
Rant over. jackdaw back to ONE SIX.
If racing the racing channel, usually 72.
Go to TWO-TWO-ALPHA if the coasties have something interesting to say.
I can't stand monitoring more. Around the Apostles there are lots and lots of charter-boats, more than privately owned most days out. They clog the air with mindless chatter. They fall into two camps:
1) Radar O'reilly wanna-bees. Or worse sparky. Took a VHF class for ASA 104 and now they think they have to call 'negative contact' after each of the 15 times they try and raise their friends. PROTIP: Unless you are keeping a required VHF log you don't have to do that. No one cares.
2) CW McCall types, who use CB trunking lingo on the VHF. What's your 20?? Please!
The BOTH wait way too short a time between a non-response on 16. People, they are SAILING. Give them a minute to get to the mic!
Rant over. jackdaw back to ONE SIX.
I can't say that I "monitor" any other VHF channels; although, I may switch to a working channel (e.g., 22A) to listen to what's going on with calls for assistance, etc. Of course, if I'm racing, or on a club cruise out, I'll monitor the designated channel for that event. Usually it's VHF 68 b/c that's what nearly everyone uses irrespective of who is talking to whom. VHF 68 is a recreational working channel. If your group is going to a marina or to a yacht club's docks, it's appropriate to specify VHF 68 as the working channel if your vessels will be communicating with a shore station; but, there are others to use for that as well [see below]. If the event is totally on the water, or you're cruising with a companion boat, you can use VHF 67 or 72 for inter-ship communications, which is their only authorized usage.
Noncommercial (recreational) channels are 9, 68, 69, 71, 78, 80 (ship to ship/ship to shore); and channels 67, 72 (ship-to-ship only). Note: channel 68 is the primary “yacht” channel. And channels 68 and 9 are used by marinas as well.
Noncommercial (recreational) channels are 9, 68, 69, 71, 78, 80 (ship to ship/ship to shore); and channels 67, 72 (ship-to-ship only). Note: channel 68 is the primary “yacht” channel. And channels 68 and 9 are used by marinas as well.
So here are the "requirements"...
In general, any vessel equipped with a VHF marine radiotelephone (whether voluntarily or required to) must maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) whenever the radiotelephone is not being used to communicate.
Source: FCC 47 CFR §§ 80.148, 80.310, NTIA Manual 8.2.29.6.c(2)(e), ITU RR 31.17, 33.18, AP13 §25.2
In addition, every power-driven vessel of 20 meters or over in length or of 100 tons and upwards carrying one or more passengers for hire, or a towing vessel of 26 feet or over in length, as well, as every dredge and floating plant operating near a channel or fairway, must also maintain a watch on channel 13 (156.650 MHz) --channel 67 (156.375 MHz) if operating on the lower Mississippi River-- ; while navigating on U.S. waters (which include the territorial sea, internal waters that are subject to tidal influence, and, those not subject to tidal influence but that are used or are determined to be capable of being used for substantial interstate or foreign commerce). Sequential monitoring techniques (scanners) alone cannot be used to meet this requirement; two radios (including portable radios, i.e. handhelds) or one radio with two receivers, are required. These vessels must also maintain a watch on the designated Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) frequency, in lieu of maintaining watch on channel 16, while transiting within a VTS area. See 33 CFR §§ 2.36, 26, and 161; 47 CFR §§ 80.148, 80.308-309; NTIA: NTIA Manual Chapter 8.2.29.7.
In general, any vessel equipped with a VHF marine radiotelephone (whether voluntarily or required to) must maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) whenever the radiotelephone is not being used to communicate.
Source: FCC 47 CFR §§ 80.148, 80.310, NTIA Manual 8.2.29.6.c(2)(e), ITU RR 31.17, 33.18, AP13 §25.2
In addition, every power-driven vessel of 20 meters or over in length or of 100 tons and upwards carrying one or more passengers for hire, or a towing vessel of 26 feet or over in length, as well, as every dredge and floating plant operating near a channel or fairway, must also maintain a watch on channel 13 (156.650 MHz) --channel 67 (156.375 MHz) if operating on the lower Mississippi River-- ; while navigating on U.S. waters (which include the territorial sea, internal waters that are subject to tidal influence, and, those not subject to tidal influence but that are used or are determined to be capable of being used for substantial interstate or foreign commerce). Sequential monitoring techniques (scanners) alone cannot be used to meet this requirement; two radios (including portable radios, i.e. handhelds) or one radio with two receivers, are required. These vessels must also maintain a watch on the designated Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) frequency, in lieu of maintaining watch on channel 16, while transiting within a VTS area. See 33 CFR §§ 2.36, 26, and 161; 47 CFR §§ 80.148, 80.308-309; NTIA: NTIA Manual Chapter 8.2.29.7.
My favorite VHF channel for my life vest attached water resistant unit is 22.
But that is 22 set on International mode.
This because in San Francisco, KCBS, our local 24 hour news station, broadcasts their back-up feed between their studio and their land transmitter on the same frequency as VHF 22 International.
Very convenient way to listen to traffic and weather on the "8's", sports at :15 and :45, business at :25 and :55 --- and lots of wonderful advertisements in between.
But really, 95% of the time I've got my unit tuned to 16. I listen to KCBS on the car radio driving home.
I can usually see all the way across central SF bay down to the Oakland ship channel. And I can see out under the GG bridge for quite a distance. Plenty enough time to alter my route so not to be near container ships and tankers when they pass. So I don't monitor the commercial traffic channels.
But that is 22 set on International mode.
This because in San Francisco, KCBS, our local 24 hour news station, broadcasts their back-up feed between their studio and their land transmitter on the same frequency as VHF 22 International.
Very convenient way to listen to traffic and weather on the "8's", sports at :15 and :45, business at :25 and :55 --- and lots of wonderful advertisements in between.
But really, 95% of the time I've got my unit tuned to 16. I listen to KCBS on the car radio driving home.
I can usually see all the way across central SF bay down to the Oakland ship channel. And I can see out under the GG bridge for quite a distance. Plenty enough time to alter my route so not to be near container ships and tankers when they pass. So I don't monitor the commercial traffic channels.
When I'm getting close to Pt Blount heading east, CH 14 comes in handy for anything coming south hidden by Angel Island. 
Yes, I do agree with you on that. The tankers, car carriers and the like heading out to sea from the Richmond Long Wharf, or the many docks along the Benecia to Antioch stretch, do seem to pop out from behind Angel Island quite unexpectedly. Then very soon after they make the hard right into the outbound ship channel towards the GG Bridge. At 15+ knots they are quickly upon sailboats that may be sailing in the channel and not paying attention to the situation. I cross this shipping lane on virtually every outing. But never linger.When I'm getting close to Pt Blount heading east, CH 14 comes in handy for anything coming south hidden by Angel Island.
My radio has a setting to monitor 9 and 16. I've never heard anything on either. An old-timer told me that everybody uses cell phones now. The dock master at my marina told me to call him on the phone if I ever needed a tow. I sail on an impounded river, about 2 miles wide.
VHF Channels
Other than 16 will be different for everybody.
I listen to local traffic control when I'm near port - that will be different wherever you are - and then switch to 16 once I'm away and sailing. Coast Guard will have a favoured working channel as well but I normally just use that for a radio check or when keeping tabs on an active Coast Guard "situation."
The only reason you would monitor another channel is if you have a special purpose such as a race, regatta or other event.
Other than 16 will be different for everybody.
I listen to local traffic control when I'm near port - that will be different wherever you are - and then switch to 16 once I'm away and sailing. Coast Guard will have a favoured working channel as well but I normally just use that for a radio check or when keeping tabs on an active Coast Guard "situation."
The only reason you would monitor another channel is if you have a special purpose such as a race, regatta or other event.
While we are on the subject of VHF radio - don't be the guy on Ch.16 asking for a radio check. Go to www.seatow.comSeaTow and find your local automated radio check channel - pretty much full coverage for the Eastern seaboard, and Gulf Ch. 24, 26, 27, 28. You transmit, the frequency bounces back your transmission.