VHF Radio Quick Tutorial

Hello All,

Relative Newbie here so apologies if this has been covered.  A link to where it may be already would suffice if possible (I could not find the topic).  Now on to the question...

I have a VHF handheld radio unit, but am not quite sure how to use it.  What channels do I use to communicate with other kayak anglers?  How about to call for help if needed?  Can someone write a short tutorial on what to do with the radio??  I have looked this up online but am finding some conflicting info so am getting more confused than being helped.

Thanks in advance!!

It's a good idea to do a "radio check" each time you launch. I'd first try channel 69 (just press the button and say "radio check, radio check"). If you can't get any response there, depending on where you are, there are probably some other channel(s) you can try--in Santa Cruz, channels 9 and 11 will work.

You might have to try a few times, but it's a good idea to do a radio check to get confirmation that everything is working as it should...

Lots of people hang out on 11 in Santa Cruz, it can get a little lively at times

It's a good idea to do a "radio check" each time you launch. I'd first try channel 69 (just press the button and say "radio check, radio check"). If you can't get any response there, depending on where you are, there are probably some other channel(s) you can try--in Santa Cruz, channels 9 and 11 will work.

You might have to try a few times, but it's a good idea to do a radio check to get confirmation that everything is working as it should...

Coastsiders are on ch 19, a good one to check for reports and general chit chat.
Also, if responding to a radio check, good to respond w your location so the person asking knows the range of 2-way signal.

Person 1: “radio check 69, please”
Person 2: “loud and clear from Dux buoy, 69”
Person 1: “Roger that, thank you”

The list of channels that used to be in this thread has disappeared.  Posting again below (copied from https://coastsidefishingclub.com/vhf-radio-channels/).

9- Bodega
07-Harbors
09-Primary Channel for bridges on the Delta
10-Out of Noyo
11-Santa Cruz/Monterey
13-The Montezuma Lock monitors this channel
19-Half Moon Bay/Coastside in general
67-GG Charter Boats
68-Inside SF Bay and the GG
69-Kayak Anglers
88-San Pablo Bay

68,69, 71, 72, 78 – These are the proper channels to use for vessel to vessel communications
27, 28, & 86 -Stockton Marine operator – upriver from Pittsburg
26, 84, & 87 -San Francisco Marine Operator – downriver/Susuin from Martinez to San Francisco Bay and beyond

Thanks all for sharing.  This is hugely helpful for me.

Should also mention channel 16 for International Distress, Safety and Calling. Ships required to carry radio, USCG, and most coast stations maintain a listening watch on this channel.

Its fine to chit chat with friends informally on the radio, but when communicating with coast guard, life guard, navy etc... there's a specific protocol for how to speak to them. Make sure when you hit the "talk button" you wait at least a second or two before you start speaking. Also, avoid abbreviations, conjunctions, and acronyms. Try to speak every word clearly. Before transmitting important info, make sure they can hear you clearly by saying "how do you copy" or "how do you read me". Use "affirmative" or "negative" instead of yes and no. For each transmission, identify yourself (or your vessel) and the channel you are speaking on.

Ex: "This is kayak charlie bravo, channel one six, hailing coast guard sector san diego. Please respond"  Repeat this transmission on ch 16 until you get a reply. If its a life threatening emergency, you would first say "mayday, mayday   this is kayak charlie bravo etc..." 

Coast guard radio operators will reply and give you instructions from there. They will likely ask you to switch channels. They will say something like "this is coast guard sector san diego, good copy channel one six, switch and answer channel two two alpha " so you switch to 22 and continue your conversation. They do this to keep channel 16 open for other communications, so don't transmit on 16 unless hailing or in a serious emergency. Have your GPS coordinates ready to give to the operator. After the conversation is over, you want to let them know you are still listening. So you can say something like "Copy that coast guard. This is kayak charlie bravo standing by channel one six, out" 

Military folks know this information pretty well. But recreational boaters and kayaks especially usually do not know the protocol. Next time you are on the water, just listen to ch 16 for a hour or so. You should hear a lot of transmissions, especially if you are near a naval station.

Just make sure you are never "stepping on" ch16...  which means unintentionally pressing the talk button.