Channel 68

[pjard]

While fishing yesterday I heard a lot of talking on channel 68 (156.425). Sorry if this is a newbie type question but who is using that frequency.

[DBreskin]

Channel 68 is for general public use, anyone can use it. It's common to hail someone on channel 16 and when they respond ask them to change to a different channel, e.g. 68, to continue the conversation.

[Descant]

Here's a list of channel assignments:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtvhf

[Phantom]

Pjard--

For some reason 68 always seems to be loaded with fisherman all the time ( we monitor a nearby channel as our "home" channel)


.

[NoBozo]

My background is from Salt Water. Back in the 70s and 80s. If you listened to 16 (VHF) you will quickly turn to some other channel ...or turn it OFF, because the Chatter is SO constant.

There was a small group of friends that monitored either VHF 68..or More likely VHF 72. Ch 72 usually was quiet..nobody used it except us. We would agree at the beginning of the day..we were Cruising In Company ....what channel to monitor. It wasn't 16.

In salt water, we were Going Somewhere: two or three boats. We were going to Block Island, Cuttyhunk, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket..etc..Overnight.

Fast Forward: Lake Winni. I had numerous conversations with Marine Patrol about VHF...on the docks at Wolfeboro. I didn't just take the first conversation as Truth..I asked other MP for their input.

The bottom line was: NOBODY (at least on the lake) uses VHF anymore. We.. (MP) don't monitor it. NB

[radiocontester]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

The bottom line was: NOBODY (at least on the lake) uses VHF anymore. We.. (MP) don't monitor it. NB

An emergency call on 16 would most certainly hail a nearby boater faster than waiting for a MP response. Hopefully MP is wrong with their assumption. VHF radios are cheap, especially hand-helds, so it's a no-brainer to carry one on- board.

[HellRaZoR004]

That last part is not true. MP monitors CH16.

Last year a young gentleman at the sandbar had a little to much to drink and ended up passing out in the water. We hailed MP on CH16 and they were there in no time to assist and take him to the nearest dock.

[NoBozo]

My last interviews with MP was over 10 years ago. Why would MP go back to VHF....after having abandoning VHF....Which they DID. We NOW have CELL Phones. Where is the common sense... NB

PS: I have no need to Make {stuff} Up.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

My last interviews with MP was over 10 years ago. Why would MP go back to VHF....after having abandoning VHF....Which they DID. We NOW have CELL Phones. Where is the common sense... NB

PS: I have no need to Make {stuff} Up.

N.B.

Channel 16 is an international distress and hailing channel that is still very widely used. It has not become outdated by any means. Cell phones have nothing to do with it. The US Coast Guard monitors channel 16 as well as many other inland waterways including NH Marine Patrol. However what you heard at the Wolfeboro Docks is true as the "patrol boats" do not monitor channel 16 but headquarters (Glendale) does and dispatches to the patrol boats accordingly. Seatow on Winnipesaukee also monitors 16.

I would agree however that if time was not an issue, I would use my cell phone first!

Dan

[Phantom]

I can assure you that MP DOES monitor ch16 on the Big Lake.


As the new MP HQ is being built, the VHF's on various Patrol boats have been covering the calls ....... many times they are underway and cannot hear the call ..... so calling a second or even third time works.

We used it late season last year when a group of teens had broken down in the middle of Meredith Bay

.

[DBreskin]

Would this thread be better suited to the boating sub-forum rather than the general forum? Perhaps the moderator can move it.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Phantom

I can assure you that MP DOES monitor ch16 on the Big Lake.


As the new MP HQ is being built, the VHF's on various Patrol boats have been covering the calls ....... many times they are underway and cannot hear the call ..... so calling a second or even third time works.

We used it late season last year when a group of teens had broken down in the middle of Meredith Bay

.

That would make sense that the patrol boats are monitoring during construction of the new building.

Dan

[radioman]

To imply that VHF is dead on Winni just simply is not true. Yes, cell phones have
become the norm in the past ten years, however, how about all the folks that head south for a day or weekend on salt water?
In years past Winni was blessed with "Mighty Moe" Although he was blind, he devoted his time to monitoring channel 16,keeping order and keeping all those listening, up to date on weather conditions. ( His eyesight was restored just prior to his death)
My very first choice for comms when on the water has been and will always be VHF simply because boaters are never afraid to transmit weather conditions as they encounter them and are never afraid to describe emergencies.

[Rich]

Please... let's not start rumors that CH 16 (an VHF) is not used on the lake.

Yes, sometimes the MP will ask if someone can call via a cell, but they do monitor CH 16. I've heard them myself last year.

Some of the local boat dealers say that VHF is not required on the lake as you can contact the MP via cell, but this is not the same as saying that VHF is not used anymore on the lake.

What if you drop your cell overboard? What if the battery dies? Some spots on the lake have weak cell coverage, depending on your cell company.

With a cell, you can't get all the boats in the area close to you to come to your aid if you need immediate help as a cell call can only be heard by one person, and that person needs to answer the call!

With VHF, if you call on 16 with an emergency, you probably could get some quick info out on the radio in a shorter time than a phone call could even be answered, and all the boats in the area can come to aid you if needed.

Yes, I have both a cell phone, and a VHF radio. Both have their benefits, but VHF is not dead.

Just sayin'

[NoBozo]

Back in the day, boat owners having a VHF had to get a VHF "Station" license which included "Call Letters" assigned to the boat. An "Operators" license was also required. I think the "Operators" license is no longer required..not sure if the "Station" license is still around. It was no big deal..NOT like a getting a "Ham" License which actually required training, competence, and an exam.

Proper use of the radio required identifying yourself by your "Call Letters" and boat name when using the radio. OH for the good ole days. NB

Holy {stuff}: I just hit 2000 posts.

[radioman]

NB You are correct, a licence was required but those days are long gone!!

[V ger]

From the USCG Navigation Center, Radio Watch Keeping Regulations

"In general any vessel equipped with a VHF marine radiotelephone (whether voluntary or required to) must maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) when ever the radiotelephone is not being used to communicate."

NH claims to enforce USCG regulations although it does so in a rather spotty manner with the most bizarre interpretations and definitions.

[jeffk]

Originally Posted by V ger

From the USCG Navigation Center, Radio Watch Keeping Regulations

"In general any vessel equipped with a VHF marine radiotelephone (whether voluntary or required to) must maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) when ever the radiotelephone is not being used to communicate."

NH claims to enforce USCG regulations although it does so in a rather spotty manner with the most bizarre interpretations and definitions.

Does this mean that if I have a VHF set I am required to have it on and tuned to channel 16 whenever I am on the water and not otherwise using the VHF in active communication? No peace and quiet on a ride, must listen to background chatter?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by jeffk

Does this mean that if I have a VHF set I am required to have it on and tuned to channel 16 whenever I am on the water and not otherwise using the VHF in active communication? No peace and quiet on a ride, must listen to background chatter?

That rule in "spirit" really refers to the ocean and Great Lakes navigation. I can assure that you would never get in trouble on Winni for not having your radio on...

I do monitor channel 16 when fishing, especially now when the water can kill from hypothermia as do many other fishermen on the lake. I would think if I hailed an emergency call while fishing, many would show, and I am certain a fishermen would be first on the scene.

Dan

[NoBozo]

I think the rule that you MUST monitor Ch 16 has been around FOREVER. There is NO Way anyone can monitor YOU..for NOT having your radio turned ON.....OR... tuned to CH 16. If your radio IS ON or OFF, no one has the capability to know that.

I don't think anyone here is suggesting that VHF doesn't have a value...It does...but On The Lake : No One is listening. That's just a fact..in spite of some who have had positive results. NB

On SALT Water; The chatter on Ch 16 is incessant. It will drive you CRAZY. You will turn it off. Just the way it is. NO BS.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

I think the rule that you MUST monitor Ch 16 has been around FOREVER. There is NO Way anyone can monitor YOU..for NOT having your radio turned ON.....OR... tuned to CH 16. If your radio IS ON or OFF, no one has the capability to know that.

I don't think anyone here is suggesting that VHF doesn't have a value...It does...but On The Lake : No One is listening. That's just a fact..in spite of some who have had positive results. NB

NB, why do you keep saying no one is listening?? Are you really that stubborn! I am on the VHF every weekend on the lake and during the week at times and I can tell you I am far from being alone!

If you don't believe me fine, I will stop wasting my time responding to you since you seem to know everything and no one will convince you.

Have fun

Dan

[Rich]

How did we go from 'VHF Is dead on the lake' to "there is so much chatter on CH16 it will disturb the peace and quiet on the lake"??

Just in case anyone is wondering, we don't have that much 'chatter' on CH16 on the lake. I always have my radio on CH16 when I'm on the water, and it's mostly silent, but it is used and monitored.

Let me tell you, if you have a problem and call for help, and get an answer, you will be happy that there are people monitoring CH16.

[pjard]

OK...so back to the question at the start of this thread, who is it on 68? I thought all the fishing stuff was on 12.

[Kamper]

License...

If you get a station license, you have to get a "Radio Telephone Operators License." They used to be free but now there's a charge.

USCG...

I can't remember the name of that law they changed a few years ago but Congress finally defined 'Navigable waters of the US' to be (roughly) waterways that you can take a boat to another state, country or international waters. That should leave most of NH's lakes in the clear from those reg.s.

[V ger]

One correction to the Channel Assignments chart is that channel 83A is also used for MRASS (Mariner Radio Activated Sound Signal) The coast guard is implementing this system wherein keying a VHF mike 5 times on channel 83A will activate sound signals in range for 30 to 60 minutes. While this will be of no use to people on the lake people who boat on both the lake and ocean should know that this system has already been activated at many sites in Maine and NH.

The CG regulations represent the right and proper way to conduct ones self on the water. It seems that many people feel that if a particular regulation is not strictly required on a particular body of water they are free to act as marine anarchists no matter what dangers they are unknowingly exposing others to. Learning and practicing proper seamanship can be a great source of satisfaction whether on a fresh water puddle or the ocean. It also makes the waterways safer and more relaxing.

I could not agree more with NB regarding the chatter on Channel 16 (and many other things) as well as Channel 9. I suspect the fishing talk at the lake lacks the purpose and discipline intended for VHF and might be better suited for CB or GMRS.

[V ger]

NB

You are right to say that no one will monitor if or what channel you are tuned to. It is however a simple task. In order to provide optimum amplification the incoming signal is mixed with a frequency created by your radios internal oscillator to create a fixed intermediate frequency which is further amplified within your radio. This internal oscillator is controlled by the channel selector. Since few commercial radios have adequate shielding to prevent all emissions of this oscillator frequency anyone with a suitable receiver and a spectrum analyzer can tell exactly what channel you are monitoring.

Back when the BBC had a TV monopoly in England they used this technique to determine who was receiving their programing without paying the TV tax. They actually had vans with directional antennas that would drive around to find the none payers.

[V ger]

Replace GMRS with FRS above

[RUGMAN]

This will be my first year on the big lake, See a lot of talk about getting a radio . Any recommendations about what one to purchase and what details it should have, we have a pontoon boat and would want one that is portable. I look at all the ones on the Overton site, too many to chose from.

[V ger]

When selecting a VHF radio you will probably be best served by selecting a model from a major manufacturer such as Icom or Standard Horizon. Avoid store brands as they often fall short on service and parts availability over time. I have seen handhelds that had to thrown away because the batteries or chargers were no longer available. Often store brands are private labeled products by less than stellar manufactures. For use on the lake a basic model should fill all your needs and will be easy to use by a newbie boater and his friends who are also likely to be neophytes.

Points to consider with a hand held radio
Cell phones typically have a .3 watt output yet there are health concerns.
Hand held VHF radios typically have 5 0r 6 watt outputs with a selector switch for 1 watt. Always use the lowest setting you need to achieve your desired communication except for emergencies. This will also minimize interference with others on the same channel.
VHF communication is line of sight so range is largely dependent on antenna height. A rough approximation of the distance to the horizon is the square root of the observers eye or antenna height in feet. Thus if your eye is 4 feet above the water your horizon is approximately 2 miles away. If you are using an antenna 4 feet above the water to speak to someone with an antenna 9 feet above the water you will have effective communications up to about 5 miles ( 2 miles for your antenna + 3 miles for the 9 foot antenna).
The short antennas on handhelds also tend to limit range as they have a toroidal radiation pattern ( picture a donut with antenna in the middle of the hole). The longer antennas of a fixed radio have a flatter radiation pattern which projects more energy horizontally.
You must make sure you keep the batteries charged
Handhelds can be dropped overboard. Get a floating model or use a tether.
Waterproof models are obviously desirable especially since they can be used to call for help if your boat sinks.
No installation required and you can take it with you to your next boat.

Fixed radios require installation but with 25 watts of power and better antennas they out perform handhelds in every way. They cannot be dropped overboard. Mount the antenna as high and as far away from people as possible bearing in mind that you may need to pass under bridges. A laydown mount will help with bridge clearance.

[NoBozo]

Back in 1974 I bought a Modar VHF. At a cost of $1200. It was excellent. I didn't realize how excellent it was until a few years later when I bought my next boat and installed a Standard Horizon which cost about $275. You get what you pay for.

At the time, the range for a VHF with a wire antenna on a 35 foot mast was about 30-35 miles on "High Power" (@25 Watts.) The Modar had a range of about 40 miles with excellent reception. The Standard Horizon (eight years later) had a range of about 25-30 miles..with marginal reception quality. Just my experience... NB

EDIT: Those figures are for open ocean with no mountains in between.

YES, I do have some experience. As one of my fellow forum members recently said..I know everything:

[Descant]

Originally Posted by RUGMAN

This will be my first year on the big lake, See a lot of talk about getting a radio . Any recommendations about what one to purchase and what details it should have, we have a pontoon boat and would want one that is portable. I look at all the ones on the Overton site, too many to chose from.

I have always had great service from Raymarine. Not needed a lot, but handy to just walk in the door in Nashua and drop stuff off, get a call a day or two later to discuss solutions.

I always carried a VHF on my jetski. A Koozie on either end for protection and stored in a waterproof flotation bag. If you're not using it a lot and it's in a drawer, the Koozie protection is probably still a good idea.

Depends on your boat set up, but a charging system for whatever your boat has (12V or 110V shorepower) is convenient and probably prudent, especially if you want to leave it on board rather than taking it to the house to charge and then forgetting it there when you go boating. I think some handhelds may have a jack so you can connect to a remote speaker. I like that to be able to hear better over wind and engine noise. Even so, it is hard to hear when engines are running at cruise RPM, on plane. If you have to slow down to use your cell phone, the same will likely apply to the VHF.


Radio protocol: This is not a CB. It is a major piece of safety equipment. Adults only. Learn to call and respond properly, not "Hey good buddy, Jack, you out there?". Teach your crew how to make an emergency call and/or an assistance call, describing your vessel, location, nature of the emergency.

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by pjard

OK...so back to the question at the start of this thread, who is it on 68? I thought all the fishing stuff was on 12.

Who's On First: I feel your pain. No one has answered your question. I WILL: ANYONE can use 68. When you want to contact somebody....You Hail them on 16. Your party will respond....and recommend an alternate channel...by mutual consent, which might be 68.

Ch 16 is a hailing frequency ONLY. Having a conversation on 16 is NOT condoned. You Hail your party..make contact..then switch over to an alternate frequency....Like 68..or maybe 72..to have your conversation. Your choice. NB

[Kamper]

The law I referenced above is called "The Jones Act." This is the statute that defines Federal authority in US waters.

Even though USCG & SOLAS rules may not apply where you are boating many of them are good common sense.

FCC and other agencies have rules that still apply almost everywhere.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by pjard

OK...so back to the question at the start of this thread, who is it on 68? I thought all the fishing stuff was on 12.

Who's on 68?

Only me and all my friends...

I bought it, so only my friends from the Winni Forum will have a place to talk when on the lake and away from an internet connection.