[Shakespeare]

I poked around looking for this in some older posts and looked at the nice article on VHF radios, but couldn't find what I was looking for.

Being new to the VHF arena, I'm trying to tip toe lightly when using the radio. I know that channel 16 is the "hailing" channel and you're supposed to move off to another channel for your conversation. I'm boating around the AB/Ft. Macon/CALO/Harkers Island area and would like to know what channels are generally used for boat to boat communications. I'm thinking that 69 and 72 are a couple. Are there any other "open" channels for casual, non-business conversation?

BTW, when searching for "VHF" I come up with a big goose egg. I had to use the keyword "radio" to get anywhere in my search.

Thanks,

Mike C.

 

[shemstreet]

Channel 68 is one of the main ones on Kerr (also Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay). Doesn't sound like anyone uses VHF on Falls.

 

[Topsail Angler]

I'm not sure about the area you asked about but let me give you the ones used down in my neck of the woods - understand these are not hard and fast, just common:

Southport area - ch.6

Wrightsville Beach/Carolina beach ch. 68/69

Topsail 69/72

I think the guys up around New River use 19.

 

[Blue Water Runner]

I used to fish Falls back in the 90s and I heve never heard anyone on the radio Falls Lake.

Around The Hampton Roads area 68 is popular.

 

[Gaffer]

Seems like 68 is the channel up morehead area and 71 down near swansboro.

These are fondly known as the king mackerel channels.

Charter boats are on 18 mostly up around morehead.