I am waiting delivery of my ICOM M34 handheld. Is there a particular channel used by kayakers?
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VHF kayak channel?
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I tried to start discussion on this once before - http://www.snaggedline.com/boatyard/...hlight=channel
Maybe that will help?Used to fish more.
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There are channels set aside for pleasure boating, which would be our category. It would be up to us as a group to pick one of those to monitor. Channel 69 is one of the pleasure boat channels and would be easy to remember. That would be a good choice. If I remember correctly, channel 71 used to be used by alot of recreational fisherman. One of those would be good for our group to use. Channel 70 is for distress. That way we would only be one click away from the distress channel, should anyone ever have a problem.
We should pick a channel for meet and greets.
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If I recall, certain channels are designated for different types of communication, like calling, ship to ship, port operations, radio telephone and the sort. The channels 69 and 71 are pleasure craft channels. It is surprising that not many people use the VHF like in the past. All the fisherman in this mid-bay area used to be on channel 71. When I had my boat, I used to listen all the time. With the onset of cell phone use, that has changed. Now you just phone a friend if the bite is on.
It is a bit different with kayaking. Unless you have one of the splash proof phones, there is a real possibility of destroying you phone, by getting it wet. I don't think one of the pleasure channels will be a problem. Besides, VHF is straight line communication. With being very low in the water and with handhelds, we may not get out as far as we think. Even with a boat, a large antenna and 25 watts, I used to be amazed at how fast a boat would fade out as it progressed down the bay.
We should select a channel in advance, particularly for meet and greet purposes. Different kayakers show up at different times. That way we would know in advance as to what channel to go to. It would also be good for safety, should someone need assistance. It would also be nice if for example, you show up at the bridge and go on the radio to ask if any of the other MKF memebers are fishing today. Everyone would know what channel to monitor. Channel 71 may be the better choice.
Regardless of the selected channel, one would never say where you are catching fish, in plain english. Such as you would say if fishing the bridge. Hey dogfish, I just got one further to your east. That way you woudl know to move to the east a few pilings, or something like that. If you say you are catching fish at piling 72. You may be surprised just how popular piling 72 may become with the other fisherman at the bridge.
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Channel 68 is the prime channel for tidal fish and potomac river anglers club. If you transmit a fishing report on 68 you'll likely get run over by a TF lurker (not so much prac). Might be a good channel to listen on but we should have another less used channel for yak to yak.
Here's the guide to choose from:
Noncommercial (recreational) channels are 9, 68, 69, 71, 78, 80 (ship to ship/ship to shore); and channels 67, 72 (ship-to-ship only). Note: channel 68 is the primary “yacht” channel. And channels 68
and 9 are used by marinas as well.
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Thanks for all the good information- It has been a long time since I used a VHF radio on a boat- Code words are a great idea as you never know who is listening- I guess the channel will decided on based on the group agreement on the day of the outing- if the group wants private dialogue maybe the alternative channel could be predetermined before hand and triggered by saying "go to the other channel" without saying it over the air."Lady Luck" 2016 Red Hibiscus Hobie Outback, Lowrance Hook2-7TS
2018 Seagrass Green Hobie Compass, Humminbird 798 ci HD SI
"Wet Dream" 2011 yellow Ocean Prowler 13
Charter member of Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club
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