Which VHF channel to use for on-boat operations?

[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).

[pcmm]

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).

That's not typically a use case for VHF. Get a set of FRS radios, or a set of headset radios

[tamicatana]

On the Mobile River, Alabama, the barge guys used 13 or 17

[sailormed]

I am in France and channels 6,8,72 and 77 are reserved for ship-ship communications. As as I know this is the same all over the Med.

[goboatingnow]

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).

Ch 6 , 8, 72,77

[GordMay]

INTERNATIONAL VHF MARINE RADIO CHANNELS AND FREQUENCIES

Note g: Channels 15 and 17 [Port Operations and Ship Movement] may also be used for on-board communications provided the effective radiated power does not exceed 1 W, and subject to the national regulations of the administration concerned when these channels are used in its territorial waters.

More ➥ https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=apps18

[Elcid]

Originally Posted by pcmm

That's not typically a use case for VHF. Get a set of FRS radios, or a set of headset radios

I can hear people talk for hours about God knows in various languages. But having a 2 minute conversation about the anchoring process in strong winds would get me in trouble?

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by Elcid

I can hear people talk for hours about God knows in various languages. But having a 2 minute conversation about the anchoring process in strong winds would get me in trouble?

Bad behaviour by others shouldn't be an excuse to do the same yourself (Its called etiquette). Its not going to get you in trouble but I don't think the whole world needs to hear you and your partner jabbering back and forth while trying to anchor.

There are channels for ship-to-ship communications (go ahead and gab to your buddy boat) and for on-board coms (try to not use 25w setting)

[Elcid]

Originally Posted by pcmm

Bad behaviour by others shouldn't be an excuse to do the same yourself (Its called etiquette).

Of course. But we've had a couple of instances where it would have been very handy. We didn't use the VHF then, as I didn't know the proper channel to use. So we yelled our lungs out. We have a couple of toy radios from Motorola, but they are just that, toys. e.g. you PTT and sometimes it takes a second for it to register (unbeknownst to you of course, to make things more interesting).

Originally Posted by pcmm

Its not going to get you in trouble but I don't think the whole world needs to hear you and your partner jabbering back and forth while trying to anchor.

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

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by Elcid

Of course. But we've had a couple of instances where it would have been very handy. We didn't use the VHF then, as I didn't know the proper channel to use. So we yelled our lungs out. We have a couple of toy radios from Motorola, but they are just that, toys. e.g. you PTT and sometimes it takes a second for it to register (unbeknownst to you of course, to make things more interesting).



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

Yes there are solutions to the PTT issues. Eartec makes nice heatsets that are full duplex. I'm ordering a set for my crew as yesterday I had trouble communicating while dousing sails and they had problems hearing me over wind noise (and I was aft of the cockpit working the mizzen) I hate yelling to my crew (wife) just feels wrong. and having to handle PTT is just annoying on a VHF or a FRS, so Eartec it is

[markcouz]

In RSA it is 6, 8, 68, 72. So seems you are safe using 6, 8 and 72 just about anywhere.

[Elcid]

Originally Posted by pcmm

Yes there are solutions to the PTT issues. Eartec makes nice heatsets that are full duplex. I'm ordering a set for my crew as yesterday I had trouble communicating while dousing sails and they had problems hearing me over wind noise (and I was aft of the cockpit working the mizzen) I hate yelling to my crew (wife) just feels wrong. and having to handle PTT is just annoying on a VHF or a FRS, so Eartec it is

That would be even better, do you have a specific model you have decided on? Now I need yet another toy

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by Elcid

That would be even better, do you have a specific model you have decided on? Now I need yet another toy

My plan is to pick up a pair of these

https://eartec.com/ultralite-single-wireless-headsets/

They're not cheap, but its better than yelling at my crew to be heard.

[OS2Dude]

If you have a wireless remote instead of a second handheld VHF, see if it has a walkie-talkie function. Our B&G V50 VHF and H50 wireless remotes can talk to each other without using the VHF frequencies and the H50s can also use the V50 base to send/receive VHF via the main antenna.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by OS2Dude

If you have a wireless remote instead of a second handheld VHF, see if it has a walkie-talkie function. Our B&G V50 VHF and H50 wireless remotes can talk to each other without using the VHF frequencies and the H50s can also use the V50 base to send/receive VHF via the main antenna.

Creative solution.

FRS (and GMRS) are illegal in Europe. You would want a pair of industrial PMR446 radios if you want to use radio frequencies.

As others have noted 15 and 17 can be used on 1 watt.

But I think you want something hands free for this.