VHF Channels

Can anyone give me a pointer to VHF channels, There must be a few common channels used for specific reason - a quick reference idiot guide would be good!
:cheers:

Can anyone give me a pointer to VHF channels, There must be a few common channels used for specific reason - a quick reference idiot guide would be good!
:cheers:

You shouldn't use it until you've completed the users course and obtained a license. Then you have all the 'pointers'. :p

You shouldn't use it until you've completed the users course and obtained a license. Then you have all the 'pointers'. :p

True in the UK (I guess). Not true in the USA. No license needed for recreational boats running a VHF. You are expected to follow normal protocols, though.

The Users Manual for your VHF should have a list of channels and uses, doesn't it? Most I've seen here do.

jky

True in the UK

Absolutely

Not true in the USA.

However, Shrewsbury remains in the UK, so you do need to get on a course and earn your SRC licence

;)

Fantastic, cheers I will look for an appropiate course and get booked on :thumbs:

Fantastic, cheers I will look for an appropiate course and get booked on :thumbs:


http://www.ryatraining.org/leisure/specialist/Pages/SRC.aspx

Fantastic, cheers I will look for an appropiate course and get booked on :thumbs:

Give Tristan a call at Professional Powerboat Training in Pwllheli on 0845 6126850 for a great deal.

Jono

I did my course via Ocean Training which is a correspondance course so you do it in your own time and then have an audio exam on the phone.

A really great way to do this course :thumbs:

SRC VHF course is easy going and quite enjoyable, just don't over and out anyone!

I did my training with GAFIRS at lee-on-Solent. They are an indipendant Inshore lifeboat/rescue service. The tuition is supplied on a voluntary basis and the moneys they collect go towards the running of the Service.

I'm sure that this format can be found all round the country and you'll be getting a DSC VHF licence at a competitive price and rest assured that you are helping a voluntary Rescue Service at the same time.

Find what area of the Coast you want too get trained in and do a search.

In the mean time have a look at their website HERE (http://www.gafirs.org.uk/homepage.html)

Its only a list but it may help:

http://www.ukseakayakguidebook.co.uk/short_articles/vhf_channels.htm

Basically Ch16 is a calling and distress channel. Its used to call other boats and the CG. Transmission should be no longer than a minute ideally.

Ch67 is what the CG usually transfer you to to pass information, ie your passage plan etc.

Where I am the fisherman use ch10, 13 and 69 although its not the place to pick up good radio procedure. The CG don't seem bothered about the radio procedure as if they didn't use these channel they'd only use a different one.

:cheers: Chewy

No worries mate.

Forgot to say ch70 is for DSC.

Will I get slated for saying even if you dont have the right bits of paper - if in doubt take a radio with you as in emergency / distress you are better off calling a Mayday/ Pan on ch16 than not calling & getting into who knows how much trouble.

Buy a 'how to use a marine VHF book' for a few quid & learn the basics, take the thing with you, have it turned on , but dont use it unless you NEED to until you have done course etc.

I had to tow someone in yesterday night who had called 999 on his mobile from his 1 day old boat when it stopped working - the CG was keen to have a 'chat' with him when I got back in with him !

Infact if an 'emergency' I 'think' you are exmpt from needed the SRC ? Anyone advise ?

Infact if an 'emergency' I 'think' you are exmpt from needed the SRC ? Anyone advise ?

Yep your right on the above.

Also like you said your better off having one and shouting I'm sinking off where ever than just sinking and not having one!

:cheers: Guys thanks, You have given me the information I require, I have every intention of doing the course ASAP BUT I have a radio on my newly aquired rib do not intend to use it until after the course but should the need have arisen I would have not known what channel to attempt to use or listen to - merley a case of 'Belts & Braces' the thing is sat there anyway. :thumbs::thumbs:

Infact if an 'emergency' I 'think' you are exmpt from needed the SRC ? Anyone advise ?

Doesn't matter. Being illegal and prosecuted is still better than being dead.


jky

I have a radio on my newly aquired rib

Jetski - do you have a ships radio license? If not you need to get one from Ofcom - http://www.ofcom.org.uk/licensing/olc/

Also, if you have a DSC VHF you won't be able to make use of it until you have an MMSI number issued as part of the ships license.

Its only a list but it may help:

http://www.ukseakayakguidebook.co.uk/short_articles/vhf_channels.htm




This list is wrong and very misleading.

Only 6,8,72,77 should be used for inter ship working channels.

13 is Bridge to Bridge

15 & 17 On Board Com's

Jono

A better link (although old):

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/publication/ra_info/ra264/ra264.htm

This list is wrong and very misleading.

Only 6,8,72,77 should be used for inter ship working channels.

13 is Bridge to Bridge

15 & 17 On Board Com's

Jono

Whats the difference between inter ship and bridge to bridge?

Whats the difference between inter ship and bridge to bridge?

Channel 13 is used for bridge to bridge voice communications under GMDSS. It will normally be monitored by commercial vessels if a danger of collision exists. This channel is one of the few, under GMDSS that can be used without a preceeding DSC alert on Channel 70.

Jono

ps with your new ddi all week

I have found this handy for UK VHF channels. http://www.pzsc.org.uk/radio/Channel%20Listing.pdf

I have found this handy for UK VHF channels. http://www.pzsc.org.uk/radio/Channel%20Listing.pdf

vry good i like!

j

Whats the difference between inter ship and bridge to bridge?

this comes from the days when ships had radio operators away from the bridge and this would create a delay in passing a message so channels were allocated so that bridge to bridge 'coms' were possible for instance in close quarters situations

this comes from the days when ships had radio operators away from the bridge and this would create a delay in passing a message so channels were allocated so that bridge to bridge 'coms' were possible for instance in close quarters situations

Thats where most problems occour, large ships close quarters situations ,bad seamanship ,we used to get ships saying which way do you want to pass ,we usually replyed stick to col regs .

This channel is one of the few, under GMDSS that can be used without a preceeding DSC alert on Channel 70.

eh?

back to the question what does this actually mean
This channel is one of the few, under GMDSS that can be used without a preceeding DSC alert on Channel 70.
I realise the quote has been lifted straight from ofcoms website -but what, if anything, does it actually mean ???????????????

For Jetski.

There is a very good booklet from the RNLI which I think is called Sea Safety.

Within it is some very good general information, a interactive CD which I can recommend and also a set of very good stickers, for placing about the boat. Two of which are the correct calls to make in the event of a problem. They are easy to follow and would allow anyone to make a call to the coastguard with all the information needed to alert any rescue services required. Stick them near your radio and tell all those on board where they are.

The booklet is free and I have seen them in chandlers, marinas and lifeboat stations. If you cannot find one, I have a spare I can send you.

Steve

The booklet is free and I have seen them in chandlers, marinas and lifeboat stations. If you cannot find one, I have a spare I can send you.

Steve

or request one from the rnli website here:

http://www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/sea_and_beach_safety/sea_safety/request_a_guide

Select "The Complete Guide" as the one you want