Marine band radio in wheelhouse ?

[Coldwater Crappie Guy]

Anyone put a marine band in your wheel house to use while ice fishing?

[Ron Vroom]

Not legal, not to say that people don't do it. You risk a hefty fine by the FCC if caught.

[JSK76]

Why is it not legal?

[Ron Vroom]

The designated VHF marine frequencies are for the use of ships and boats between vessels and from vessels to licensed shore stations regulated by the US Coast Guard and the FCC. A fish house would not qualify as a ship or boat. The marine bands are not the same as " Citizen band radio" or "General Public Service band" which services you could use but are limited in range because those radios have to use less power than marine radios. Check out the FCC regs. regarding marine radio. I don't know how much enforcement the FCC is doing nowadays, but I know some cabin owners on LOW who were busted some years ago for illegal usage.

[Hawg]

Besides if you don't have cell service you can buy cheap radios that go about as far.

[iffwalleyes]

Must not be regulated then. Every resort on Lake of the Woods runs them in their bombers all day long. I uses a portable one in my wheel house when up there. On Lake Of the Woods they have enough range for the most part that if I was in trouble I can radio for help. Probably not going to do you allot of good on other lakes but up there with the limited cell service it is another measure of safety for me.

[Ron Vroom]

You are right, the regs.are widely abused and ignored, but you are more likely to get caught if you are within range of a Coast Guard station such as near Duluth where they have triangulation equipment to radio detection find transmitters to locate radios that are interfering with legitimate radios and jeopardizing boat and ship safety. Just be aware of the risk. Fines begin at $8,000 I believe.

[Sea Hage]

This time of the year around NW Wisconsin the marine radio is used by bear hunters all the time, I know it's a no no ,but it still goes on.I've used one on Lake of the Woods while on the ice and have never been bothered by anyone.

[Coldwater Crappie Guy]

I think I will stay with the hand held portables . Don't need a big fine of any sort . Thanks for all the input on the issue.

[iffwalleyes]

I found this I think this clarifies it a little better. Basically if your not on land so a frozen lake wouldn't be land it should be fine. On land appears to be the bigger issue. Also don't abuse the emergency channels. They are not intended for chit chat between buddies but are for an emergency situation.

VHF Radio Channel Usage and Do's and Dont's

Call us anytime 386-527-3902

If you have a Boating HSOforum that you would like to have linked from this page, please contact the webmaster at Marine-Movers about a link exchange. If you would like to provide your Customers with a fast Boat Boat transport quote, just add us to your favorites.

Boat/U.S. Guide to

Radio Manners

Now that the Federal Communications Commission has eliminated radio licenses for recreational boats in the United States, there's no eason why the VHF marine band has to become another Citizen's Band free-for-all.

Everyone who depends upon a two-way radio for their safety out on the water has a stake in the future of the VHF frequency. Boat/U.S. is equally concerned and is urging members to join the Association in an active effort to promote proper use of the airwaves and actively discourage abuse. The best way to do that is to educate skippers, guests, family members and fellow boaters on how to correctly use the marine radio.

Although the license has been eliminated, FCC regulations still remain in effect. VHF radio operating rules continue to apply and violators can still be subject to fines by the FCC up to $8,000. The marine band is monitored by both the FCC and the U.S. Coast Guard and both agencies have sensitive radio direction finders that can track a violator, for instance a false "Mayday" caller.

But an even better reason to safeguard the marine VHF band is its lifesaving importance to everyone out on the water. Skippers in will traveled boating areas who monitor Channel 16 are often distressed to hear repeated violations of proper radio usage rules.

"Many radio users simply do not know what the rules are," said Jim Ellis Director of the Boat/U.S. Foundation for Boating Safety. "They don't realize that they could be putting lives in jeopardy."

Among the most egregious offenses on the VHF marine band are issuing a false Mayday call, using profanities, monopolizing Channel 16 and using an improper channel. Some people even broadcast "Mayday radio checks" according to Joe Hersey, Chief of Telecommunications for the Coast Guard. These are false Mayday calls just to see if one's radio is working.

The rules for radio operation are mainly common sense and are described in detail in at least two easy-to-read reference books, Chapman's Communications Afloat by Elbert S. Maloney, and the maritime Radio Users Handbook by the Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services. Both are available through Boat/U. S. Also, the U.S. Coast Guard's home page on the World Wide Web has information at http://www.navcen.uscg.mil .

While many boaters who want to have long conversations are better off using cellular telephones while boating many forget that the real value of the VHF transmission in an emergency is that everyone can hear a call for help.

When inconsiderate broadcasters use foul language over the airwaves which causes boaters, especially those with children, to shut the radio off, a potential source of rescue has been eliminated.

Keep in mind that Channel 9 has been designated as a calling channel nationwide, and it ahs helped relieve congestion on Channel 16. The Coast Guard, however, does not monitor Channel 9. Channel 16 is always the first choice for emergencies or to hear official alerts.

Requesting a radio check from the Coast Guard on Channel 16 is prohibited. It is also not proper procedure to issue a call to " any vessel, any vessel" and request a radio check. What members may do is hail "TowBOAT/U.S. on Channel 16 or 9, and when you receive a reply, switch to a working channel. The Tow BOAT/U.S. skipper will be glad to respond.

The Dos:

Whenever the radio is on, monitor Channel 16, unless you are communication on another channel;

Before transmitting, listen for 30 seconds to hear if the channel is in use;

At the beginning and end of your transmission, identify your vessel by its name of your radio call sign;

Use Channel 16 or 9 for calling and when contact is made, switch immediately to an unused working channel; (See box)

Set the radio to the low power setting whenever possible; you don;'t need the high power setting to talk to somone across your creek;

Speak slowly and clearly with the microphone about an inch from your mouth; there's no need to shout- it distorts your transmission;

Keep all communications as brief as possible;

The Don'ts:

Don't call the Coast Guard requesting a radio check;

Don't use the VHF radio for transmitting on land;

Don't monopolize any channel with long conversations or idle chatter;

Don't let children use the radio or think it's a toy. don't allow children to play on the boat with no adult present, even in th driveway;

Don't broadcast a Mayday unless there is immediate danger to life or property;

Don't broadcast profanities or insults. It is a criminal offense to transmit obscene, profane or indecent language or meanings;

Don't speak on channel 70; it's reserved for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) only;

Channels Available for Recreational Boats

Distress, Safety, Calling...................................16

Calling..........................................................................9

Recreational Use...........................68-69, 71-72, 78

Marine Operator...................................24-28, 84-87

Locks, Canals, Bridges, Pilots..........................13

Digital, Selective Calling (DSC)......................70

Please Post

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Aids To Navigation Home Other Boating Web Sites

Home

About Us

Quick-Quote

Contact Us

Preparing

Measuring

Your Trailer

Photo Album

Testimonials

Choosing

F A Q

Surveyors

Values

Documenting

Forms

Builders

Dealers

Yacht Broker

GoFast Boats

Marinas

Boat Yards

Guides

Weather

Navigation

VHF Radio

Boat Trailers

Boaters Mall

Other Sites

Links

VHF

Channel Frequencies and Usages are from the Coast Pilot; Pacific Coast (25th Edition)

CHANNELTRANSMIT/RECEIVE (MHz)USAGE

----------------------------------------------------------------

1A156.050156.050Port operations and commercial

5A156.250156.250Port operations

6156.300156.300 Intership safety

7A156.350156.350Commercial

8156.400156.400 Commercial (ship-to-ship only)

9156.450156.450 Commercial and non-commercial

10156.500156.500Commercial

11156.550156.550Commercial

12156.600156.600Port operations (traffic advisories, including VTS in some ports)

13156.650156.650Navigational (ship-to-ship), also used at locks and bridges

14156.700156.700Port operations (traaffic advisories, including VS in some ports)

16156.800156.800Distress, safety and calling

17156.850156.850State or local government control

18A 156.900156.900Commercial

19156.950156.950Commercial

20157.000161.600Port operations (traffic advisories)

22A 157.100157.100Coast Guard Liaison

24157.200161.800Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)

25157.250161.850Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)

26157.300161.900Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)

27157.350161.950Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)

28157.400162.000Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)

63A 156.175156.175VTS New Orleans

65A 156.275156.275Port operations (traffic advisories)

66A 156.325156.325Port operations (traffic advisories)

67156.375156.375Commercial (ship-to-ship)

156.425156.425Non-commercial

69156.475156.475Non-commercial

71156.575156.575Non-commercial

72156.625156.625Non-commercial (ship-to-ship only)

73156.675156.675Port operations (traffic advisories)

74156.725156.725Port operations (traffic advisories)

77156.875156.875Port operations (ship-to-ship, to and from pilots docking ships)

78A 156.925156.925Non-commercial

156.975156.975Commercial

80A 157.025157.025Commercial

84157.225161.825Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)

85157.275161.875Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)

86157.325161.925Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)

87157.375161.975Public correspondence (ship-to-coast)

88157.425162.025Public correspondence in Puget Sound

88A157.425157.425 Commercial, fishing (ship-to-ship)

[SnowGuy73]

Cabelas sells a nice marine/fm/am I was looking at a couple's weeks ago. I had the same thought on putting it in the fish house.