What are the VHF channels I should know?

[CapitanCortez]

I have a ship-shore radio but I don't know the channels or anything else. It's a cobra radio, like the ones at bass pro, it came with the boat I bought, and I was wondering what channels I should know, or if they are even the same everywhere or if they depend on what region I live in? I'll be fishing off of central floridas east coast if that makes a difference. Thanks.

 

[cribber]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

Channel 16 is the one to remember if you get into trouble and need the Coast Guard or emergency assistance. Here is a link to what the channel assignments are from Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_VHF_radio

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

around here, 68 is the fishing channel.

 

[zagger]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

16 and 9. Where 16 is used to summon CG or any other help, channel 9 is used for hailing other vessels. Once you establish contact you should switch to another channel to continue your conversation.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtvhf

Here's a full list, as mentioned 16 is the best to hail the CG in emergency.

I normally program my scanner for 16, 68 and all the civilian channels since fishermen use random channels to keep eavesdropping to a minimum.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

Links to full lists pretty much cover the topic, but outside of 16/9 (either of which you should be monitoring when you're out under way (preference on 16)) the coast guard will often come on 16 and tell you to go to 22 Alpha (22A) for more information about stuff. Could be weather, could be info about a stretch of water closed for a regatta, or fireworks on the 4th, etc...)

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

If ya river boat at all. As I do on the Missississississiisippi, channel 14 is what the lock master monitors if ya need lockage up or downstream....

 

[642mx]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

On the Ohio river I use channel 13 to contact the lockmasters.... here's a short list for Ohio river boating: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/watercraft/ohioriver/vhf/tabid/2401/default.aspx

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

I have a ship-shore radio but I don't know the channels or anything else. It's a cobra radio, like the ones at bass pro, it came with the boat I bought, and I was wondering what channels I should know, or if they are even the same everywhere or if they depend on what region I live in? I'll be fishing off of central floridas east coast if that makes a difference. Thanks.

Take a Boating Safety Course and all your questions will be answered.

 

[642mx]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

Take a Boating Safety Course and all your questions will be answered.

Why not just help the guy?

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

Why not just help the guy?

Are you suggesting that taking the BSC would not help the guy? Everyone else has furnished the information he was asking for, I was suggesting how he could get the information himself. Have you ever heard the old axiom "give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach
him how to fish and ....."?

 

[Juror81]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

Are you suggesting that taking the BSC would not help the guy? Everyone else has furnished the information he was asking for, I was suggesting how he could get the information himself. Have you ever heard the old axiom "give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach
him how to fish and ....."?

He be gone all weekend?

 

[642mx]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

Are you suggesting that taking the BSC would not help the guy? Everyone else has furnished the information he was asking for, I was suggesting how he could get the information himself. Have you ever heard the old axiom "give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach
him how to fish and ....."?

No... I'm suggesting that your reply was not helping (your reply ranks right up there with; when someone asks a technical question, and someone else tells them to buy a manual). Either answer the question or move along. The OPer never asked anything about a BSC, he just wanted to know what the channels on the VHF are worth knowing.

 

[CapitanCortez]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

Everybody relax, thanks everyone for the help, I appreciate it. I do agree with 642 about the whole "telling them to get the manual" thing. Anyways, thanks again, and I'm sure I'll be seeing most of you around here.

 

[Boatist]

Re: What are the VHF channels I should know?

By Rule when your not talking on the radio you must matain a watch on chanel 16 Calling and Distress Channel.

Today most people probably scan several channels but at least make sure channel 16 is one of them.
If you hear a MayDay call you are required to write down what you hear.

It would be a good idea to take a boating Saftey and Seamanship class from the Coast Guard Aux or US Power Squadraons.