[CoachKinsey]

I believe this topic has been around the board before but I can find no sign of it so here goes (again). What VHF channels are y'all monitoring on the various bodies of water y'all fish? To what handle do you answer?

In addition to 9 and 16, I routinely monitor 68 and answer to Coach or Coach Kinsey.

 

[Dave1273]

I monitor 9, 16, and 69 because that's where the Lake Norman Striper club chats and I can usually pick up on where the fish are. I answer to Beats Workin' cause that's the name of my boat.

 

[Topsail Angler]

I monitor Channles 9,16,68,69 & 72. 72 is my main channel and the one to try me on first. I usually have the radio in scan but not always (it's always in dual mode so it monitors 16 constantly).

Also remember there is a place in your each members profile to list the radio channels you monitor, your call sign, the places you fish most, and your MMSI number. Handy stuff!

 

[sundrop]

While on the topic. I don't go offshore so a VHF that is basic will do for me. Is there any difference in the old radios vs the newer ones as far as frequencies? I can buy an older radio cheap used and if it will work that is all I really need. I just wanted to make sure there are no band limits or channels I can't access.

 

[Dave B.]

Older radios Drop might not meet todays performace/waterproof specs, but the frequencies are the same

The difference between older/newer radios will be the addition of the DSC feature, Ch 70 is the hail frequency for the DSC feature. Maybe some auto switching when keyed and I know that Standard Horizon has a feature via NMEA connection with a VHF that will plot another's position on the chart.

All depends,, dont know exactly how old your radio is, but like computers, electronics seem to become out date every couple years....

if on inland lakes/freshwater type locations near land, you probably dont need a VHF with all the bells and whistles.. plus it will save you money as well. All of todays radios are very good, but the radio is only as good as the antenna connected to it, so I'd spend more $$ on the antenna than the radio unit.

Should be no limits or access problems. VHF is VHF, frequencies are set.

 

[lefty]

All depends,, dont know exactly how old your radio is, but like computers, electronics seem to become out date every couple years....

If your applications have not changed, even a ten-year-old computer will still work just as well as it ever has (harddrive failure notwithstanding). The problem with computers is that folks keep wanting to do more with them, with each passing year.
With your VHF, if all you want to do is talk to folks, and you don't mind hearing other people talking to each other, then you don't need DSC, you don't need an NMEA interconnect, you don't need automatic position plotting, and a ten-year-old VHF will frequency-modulate your voice to 156.whatever megahertz just as well as it ever did. Batteries in a handheld will wear with age, but the transceiver generally won't -- barring physical damage, of course.

 

[sundrop]

Sounds like an oldie will do the trick until I upgrade boats. That's a few years off so I appreciate the info.. Now I know what to do. Nice older radio with a good quality antenna will get it done.. Thanks gang!!