[Zpg]

The boat I recently bought came with a VHF radio and I am wondering if there is any information on basic usage available. I know there are courses offered and I am planning on taking one in January but at present all I am doing is monitoring the weather with it and know the emergency channel but that's it.

I would like to know which channels are used for what. I would like to monitor local radio traffic between boats and perhaps be able to contact other boats while fishing but don't know what channels to listen to or use.

Any help here is much appreciated.

Thanks
Z

 

[Zpg]

Found what I was looking for. I had a Canada wide info link but wanted something specific to our area and called a buddy with a large sailboat who directed me to the right spot.

 

[fishinmagician]

The boat I recently bought came with a VHF radio and I am wondering if there is any information on basic usage available. I know there are courses offered and I am planning on taking one in January but at present all I am doing is monitoring the weather with it and know the emergency channel but that's it.

I would like to know which channels are used for what. I would like to monitor local radio traffic between boats and perhaps be able to contact other boats while fishing but don't know what channels to listen to or use.

Any help here is much appreciated.

Thanks
Z

Guides use 88A.

They go by their boats names.

Listen in and you may hear a juicy morsel of information.

 

[100MileGord]

Are the RCMP and/or DFO checking for VHF licences?

I'm in the same boat as Zpg in that the beater boat I bought came with a new radio.
Nobody offers the VHF course in my area: can the course be done on-line like the Pleasure Craft Operators Card?

Can the RCMP/DFO bust you for possession of radio if it is not turned on?

I plan on doing the course when I find one but I'd still like to have it onboard "just in case".
Can I get smart with the officer and insist that the eight foot antenna is really my halibut rod?

Its kinda tough in hicksville getting saltwater ready!!

 

[bigjay]

I have no VHF licence but only will uses it in an emergance. However, have done the amount of sailing, fishing, and boating I have I've learned the general proceedure - mostly for on the water problems. I have a hand held so I'm not moitoring it but will use it in an emergance. If your not using it wrongly your not going to have a problem. I would go on-line or to a libary and finded out the general rule so if I have an emergency I'm doing the right call but would not uses it much other than that. I have a card with the right thing to say in event of an emergence in the ziplock with my radio - yes you can speak into a radio through a zip lock and be heard. Never have I been asked for a radio licence but never has anyone checking seen my vhf. Its better to have one with no licence than not to have one and I would love to see the time a preson needing rescue was ticketed for not having a licence.
If you can get a course get it, if not, don't leave the radio at home, just say you're not mornitoring it and have it for emergences but will get a course as soon as they have one in Willy's Puddle. I'm not an enforer of those laws, however, it a law that is like saying you must have a course in putting on a seat belt... but it's not safe to drive without one, yet you have licence for a car. My opion is they have no problem if you don't abuse the system.
Have fun, Jason.

 

[tonyg]

Not sure a license is needed to "moniter" . People with groundbased scanners do it all the time without needing a permit. Talking on it in a non-emergency situation 'could' lead to a ticket if enforcement had a mind to.
Don't leave home without it.......

 

[Centerpin]

Hey Guys

Was checking into this myself and found out a few things. You don't require a license to own or monitor a radio but do require one to transmit on it. I also found a site were you can take the course and test on line'

http://sculptor.sheridanc.on.ca/web...ctId=59922&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=14354


Centerpin 8)

 

[100MileGord]

Thanks for the info, Centerpin!

I'm looking into the Sheridan course for next season.