U.S. VHF Channel Use

During GS7, I heard a lot of hailing on Channel 69, with requests to switch to another channel. Switching channels is OK. However, many of the channels requested are off limits to recreational boaters. Recreational boaters on the west coast are only allowed to use Channel 9 for hailing, and channels 68, 69, 71, and 78A for their communications. No point pissing off the commercial guys and port operators with questions about fish identification and limits.

Here is a list of all the U.S. VHF channels and their designated use: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtvhf

From the page:

Users may be fined by the FCC for improper use of these channels.

Thanks for posting this up, Tim.  I felt the use of the radio at GS was way too liberal and people need to figure out how to communicate appropriately.  Get walkie-talkies or use your cell phone instead of plugging up the VHF channels with "I caught a greenling..."  There were also people talking over others who were trying to assist people in distress.  There will be more emphasis on appropriate radio use next year.

Thanks for posting this up, Tim.  I felt the use of the radio at GS was way too liberal and people need to figure out how to communicate appropriately.  Get walkie-talkies or use your cell phone instead of plugging up the VHF channels with "I caught a greenling..."  There were also people talking over others who were trying to assist people in distress.  There will be more emphasis on appropriate radio use next year.

Yeah seems to be an issue at every event. Some individuals do not understand there proper use is for safety not bragging or asking simple questions. Should probably not be on the water if your not sure which species is what or what a minimum is.

I still remember GS6 when the rescue was going on and guys still asking fishing questions.

Ryan

Adam and I ended up on 68 because of all the chatter. A PB guy asked what channel we were going to be on as a group and thanked me for telling him 69. He went to 68 also. I missed all the towing stuff and other useless chatter from 175 people. Walkies are a good idea for useless chatter.

I had some small talk with Craig and Martin on Friday. Sorry, won't happen again.  Didnt have a radio on Saturday and didn't catch a greenling. 

next time i think ill just turn my radio off on tourney day. ill admit i got quite grumpy listening to people asking questions like" what do we do with the red ones." or "how many of these cod can we keep".

however i do believe the radio is a important piece of safety gear.

That's why I got a HAM radio license.  I can use coast guard channels or pick my own frequency that nobody else is on. 

To be fair, I put a "small talk" message out there too when I was excited to have caught 4 species, but it seemed like too many extended back and forths were going on.

It's another thing I can stress in the rules and buildup to the event - please be very conservative with the use of the radio.

 

I would be excited too if i had 4 species.

I had 3 dinky species but my finger was triggered on the VHF ready to holler if I caught the 4th one

I think minimal chatter is fine so long as you don't do it over critical communications - it's just that when u multiply it by a factor of 100 that it feels unnecessary, but how do you control that when there are over 200 yaks otw? Given the numbers, I thought it was minimal... and a lot of the comments/questions were jokes I think... see u at GS8!

Peace & blessings!

I would be excited too if i had 4 species.

+1!!

That's why I got a HAM radio license.  I can use coast guard channels or pick my own frequency that nobody else is on. 

I do this with my wife back at camp.  She monitors 69, then calls me if there's something that needs to be passed on to me.  Then I just turn up the volume on my marine VHF radio. Also works great when I'm out on the water early and she sleeps in.  She can call me and ask how I like my eggs that morning!  Ha! 
It's all good. 

That's why I got a HAM radio license.  I can use coast guard channels or pick my own frequency that nobody else is on. 

I do this with my wife back at camp.  She monitors 69, then calls me if there's something that needs to be passed on to me.  Then I just turn up the volume on my marine VHF radio. Also works great when I'm out on the water early and she sleeps in.  She can call me and ask how I like my eggs that morning!  Ha! 
It's all good.

You're lucky!  My wife goes to the beach with me and starts calling me when I'm about 50 yards out.  It goes like this:  Stroke, Stroke, put down paddle, answer the wife.  Stroke, stroke, answer the wife.  stroke, stroke, remind the wife that I can't paddle while talking on the radio.  Stroke, stroke, stroke, stroke, answer the wife.

Now remind me why this radio was a good idea.  LOL

I understand that theVHF radios are for safety, but one of the things I love most while being out on the water are listening to the chatter and shared information.

For a new person, it helps me learn about fishing and get to know the other fishermen (although I heard about the towing joke....that was NOT nice and a pretty mean thing to do)

Another thought....cell phones don't always work....I don't think they are always reliable in cases of an emergency.