Am I the only one who forgets to switch back to Channel 16?

[nhschneider]

Far too often, after using a different channel on the VHF, I’ll forget to either switch back to Channel 16 or resume scanning. I think it would be a great feature if I could activate a timer that would remind me that I’m still on some other channel than 16 - a beep or a soft voice that would say, “Hey, stupid, how long are you going to leave this radio on channel 72?”

[Greg Brannon]

It's probably a habit from my flying days, but when I'm done with a conversation on a channel and planning to switch to another, I always announce it and then do it.

[MV Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by Greg Brannon

It's probably a habit from my flying days, but when I'm done with a conversation on a channel and planning to switch to another, I always announce it and then do it.

Same here. After forgetting a couple of times, I got into the habit of announcing at the end of the conversation that I was switching back to 16. Haven't forgotten since.

[SteveSpring]

I often do forget that I've re-runed to 63 to listen to the inshore waters forecast (UK), but I can hardly announce to the coastguard that I'm switching back to 16; that would be odd...

I just need to get into a better habit. I'm usually monitoring 12 and 16 on dual watch.

[Calif.Ted]

The other day the emergency alert went off on the DSC, my wife and I both said "WTF is that" and it was a long minute before "Oh, Yeah the radio !!!".
Yeah, I especially forget after going to 22 for those "Local Conditions Special Broadcast" announcements from the coasties.

[LoudMusic]

I think I've seen radios that automatically return to 16 if you haven't hit the button after an amount of time.

What about having two radios on board? Can two radios be that close in proximity and function normally? Keep one on 16 at all times and another you use to blab with friends?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by JohnEasley

Same here. After forgetting a couple of times, I got into the habit of announcing at the end of the conversation that I was switching back to 16. Haven't forgotten since.

Same here also. I just made that part of the end of a conversation.

[seabreez]

[QUOTE=What about having two radios on board? Can two radios be that close in proximity and function normally? Keep one on 16 at all times and another you use to blab with friends?[/QUOTE]
We have two radios... one on 16 and one portable for local conversation or when below decks... works great.

[fatherchronica]

Sometimes I leave it on other channels, by accident, because there is so much chatter I need some brain rest, and I figure that with that many people people on the water there are many boats that could respond to a need for assistance far quiker than my full keeled tank. And sometimes offshore I listen on other channels because the conversations of fisherman in languages I don't comprehend interest me.

[Captain Scott]

And sometimes offshore I listen on other channels because the conversations of fisherman in languages I don't comprehend interest me.[/QUOTE]

Right!... With that that kind of entertainment... How could anybody say that sailing is ever boring!

[FionaJC]

Originally Posted by LoudMusic

I think I've seen radios that automatically return to 16 if you haven't hit the button after an amount of time.

What about having two radios on board? Can two radios be that close in proximity and function normally? Keep one on 16 at all times and another you use to blab with friends?

1 main radio Inside ch16 with speaker in cockpit. portable in cockpit on local ch or 16. Use inside for gmdss calls and longer distance.

[BruceS]

Ch 19 on the River Murray gets the locks & ferry crossings .............. (just FYI)

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by nhschneider

Far too often, after using a different channel on the VHF, I’ll forget to either switch back to Channel 16 or resume scanning. I think it would be a great feature if I could activate a timer that would remind me that I’m still on some other channel than 16 - a beep or a soft voice that would say, “Hey, stupid, how long are you going to leave this radio on channel 72?”

Most Standard Horizon DSC models, especially those with AIS Receivers have a switch back to ch16 mode.
May be similar with other newer DSC capable radios.
Update those radios without DSC.
May save your or someone else's life.