Which VHF channel to use for on-boat operations?

[Brian.D]

He wasn't being snarky, but I do like Stu's suggestion of hand and arm signals. LOL Semaphore anyone, like on Water World? ROFLMAO

[goboatingnow]

I never see what’s the problem is when docking etc. The wife and I never have a problem communicating , in fact usually the whole Anchorage can hear us and of course we use some very “ universal “ hand/finger signals. But then again we are boating for 30 years.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by Elcid

I disagree, I'd love a channel to listen to couples yelling at each other when anchoring/mooring

"I apologize for what I said when anchoring/mooring."

"I apologize for what I said when docking."

I apologize for what I said when Chinese jibing."

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

And no mention of hand signals yet. Ach, somebody is slipping up on the obvious...

Quite a few people we know have used wireless FM radio headsets to avoid publicly showing how they would otherwise talk (shout, swear) to each other.

But none of them are still cruising, to my knowledge.

We find that the communications required during anchoring are fairly simple. A few agreed upon hand signals work well for us. In the worst case either party is free to walk the length of the boat and explain the issue up close and personal.

Most other communications between captain (or crew boss) and crew are at closer range. But some do use wireless headsets, AC for example).

Personally, I've never needed them.

[Elcid]

Fair enough, we also use hand signals. It's good enough for most of the time. But sometimes it would have been nice to be able to communicate using radios. Why not use them if we already have 3 of them on board... I still have not heard a good enough reason. Radio traffic is a not a very good argument. You guys already listed 4 channels. At most I've seen 2-3 people anchoring at the same time. Even if they all wanted to use the VHF to communicate it wouldn't be a problem.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

And no mention of hand signals yet. Ach, somebody is slipping up on the obvious...

You and me both, Stu!

I NEVER yell from the bow. Always have used agreed-upon hand signals.

The last thing I'd want is an additional power draw onboard that needs charging (headsets) or clogging up any VHF channel while anchoring - probably difficult with VHF anyway, as you'd have to pick up the handheld and key it to speak.

When anchoring, my hands are busy with the windlass and anchor.

Hand signals are the easy, keep-it-simple solution for me.

Fair winds,
LittleWing77

[Elcid]

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

- probably difficult with VHF anyway, as you'd have to pick up the handheld and key it to speak.
When anchoring, my hands are busy with the windlass and anchor.
Hand signals are the easy, keep-it-simple solution for me.

Does not compute.
So which one is it then?

Or are you using the elbows for signaling?

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

...probably difficult with VHF anyway, as you'd have to pick up the handheld and key it to speak.

When anchoring, my hands are busy with the windlass and anchor.

Hand signals are the easy, keep-it-simple solution for me.

Fair winds,
LittleWing77

Originally Posted by Elcid

Does not compute.
So which one is it then?

Or are you using the elbows for signaling?

Ha ha, very funny.

You know what I mean!

LW77

[Trawler2016]

I'll second the use of the Eartec headsets.
Also called marriage savers.
I wonder why?
Just kidding.

[Bmorgan562]

Originally Posted by Elcid

I'm in Greece, is there a VHF channel that we could use on board when anchoring for example? (a person on the bow operating the anchor remote & the other one controlling the boat in the aft).

I would think you should utilize a line of sight simple pair of HT’s or if your VHF has a talk around/car to car function use that. If you will be anchoring in difficult/technical areas. I would not want bleed over into our conversation 😮😜

[Bmorgan562]

Originally Posted by Elcid

Fair enough, we also use hand signals. It's good enough for most of the time. But sometimes it would have been nice to be able to communicate using radios. Why not use them if we already have 3 of them on board... I still have not heard a good enough reason. Radio traffic is a not a very good argument. You guys already listed 4 channels. At most I've seen 2-3 people anchoring at the same time. Even if they all wanted to use the VHF to communicate it wouldn't be a problem.

Communication is always where we fall short. Eliminate every potential barrier you possible can. Hand signals are simple “plain text” but if you must use a radio don’t share a frequency

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

Hand signals are the easy, keep-it-simple solution for me.

Add me to the support crew for this solution. It's simple and doesn't need to be charged. *grin*

One of the keys, in my mind, is understanding who is in tactical charge. It is the person on the bow for anchoring, not the "nut" behind the wheel.

However, VHF is certainly viable. Lots of usable channels have been mentioned. Check local regulations. Where I am, 17 is used for local government operations like harbormasters for example.

If your boat is small enough there are plenty of Bluetooth headsets. They do need to be kept charged (you have added USB power outlets to your charging station, right? You do have a charging station, right?) and there are range limits. The superyachts and commercial shipping use UHF frequencies (there is a marine allocation covered by licenses in most countries) in many cases with "leaky coax" repeaters on board. This is the "big boy" solution.

For radio solutions I prefer a radio with a speaker mic over a headset. Less likely to be knocked off and go in the drink.

[pendragon]

KISS --> Just agree on some basic hand signals.

[wingssail]

[QUOTE=pendragon;3467011]KISS --> Just agree on some basic hand signals.[/QUOTEI}

Absolutely. We do not need to complicate the anchoring (or weighing) process by: picking up the portable radios and one of us carrying it to the bow, or finding and putting on the headsets and testing it to make sure they are working.

It is so easy already:

Coming into the anchoring area two people on deck.

Helm speaking: "I think I'll anchor about here, we'll drop 125 feet" (Person two goes to the bow)

Boat is stopped but engine is left in reverse

Helm signals: "Now".

Anchor goes down while boat begins to gather sternway

Bow stops chain at the desired depth

Bow monitors anchor to see of it is holding

When rode is taut bow signals: "Back down"

When anchor is set Bow signals: "Cut", time to fold sails or have an ice cold brew.

If anchor is dragging Bow signals: "No" and comes back for a conference.

If Helm is unsatisfied the engine is put into neutral and Helm goes to bow to discuss.

Repeat.

[ranger58sb]

FWIW:
1) We found cell phones with Bluetooth ear buds can work for this scenario... if in a location with decent cell service
2) the time delay on VOX equipment with good FRS radios (for example) is indeed an irritating factor, and they're simplex (VOX-stimulated PTT) anyway. I haven't tried, but I'd imagine VOX-activated VHF would be about the same, and still simplex anway.
3) Hand signals can work pretty well for anchoring. In our case, not so much for docking because crew can't often see me, and I can't see them from the bridge
4) Sena also makes headsets that can work like the Eartec units.

We happen to use SENA headsets, but that's not because of a strong well-informed preference; they just happened to be the first duplex headset systems we tried.

-Chris