Radio - how often do you actually USE it?

[tonymac]

How often do people actually use their on-board radios?

is it necessary?

[JSP]

It is necessary for obvious reasons, be a bit silly not to have one.
But unless you uses docks or cruise in congested waters you'll probably only ever use it in an emergency. Which is why it's necessary to have one.

[chewy]

Hardly ever, but then I never use my flares neither.

The one time the VHF was useful was when a the CG put out a mayday relay and the ship was right in front of us. Was a false alarm, someone washing the deck give the EPIRB a good wash.

With no VHF a boat a mile away could be in trouble and you'd never know.

[Mollers]

Eh? I take a radio check from the CG often, when cruising with other boats we select a channel and keep in touch throughout the trip, I use ch16 often. Use it guys, it won't bite you. It's the most important safety feature on your boat.

[m chappelow]

unless i am stopped i cannot hear the thing anyhow ,even with my hard fishing boat its not that often i use it, suppose it depends on which area you live in and how much other traffic there is about ,teesmouth where i operate from is 3rd buisiest port in the uk , so i usually listen on the port frequency and ch 16 ,

[JSP]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Eh? I take a radio check from the CG often, when cruising with other boats we select a channel and keep in touch throughout the trip, I use ch16 often. Use it guys, it won't bite you. It's the most important safety feature on your boat.

Don't get me wrong, mines always on. Have to admit I don't ask for radio checks which I should. As my normal cruising ground around Fleetwood was near a dock I always dual watch CH16 and Ch12.

What I meant was as far as actually using it to communicate with other vessels (unless your in more congested waters) He'll find he hardly ever will.

Agree it's the most important bit of safety kit.

[JSP]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

unless i am stopped i cannot hear the thing anyhow ,even with my hard fishing boat its not that often i use it, suppose it depends on which area you live in and how much other traffic there is about ,teesmouth where i operate from is 3rd buisiest port in the uk , so i usually listen on the port frequency and ch 16 ,

That's the main problem I have. Can't hear the bloody thing due to wind noise/engine. Bought an amplified speaker but it doesn't make much difference. Still thinking about trying headphones no matter how daft I look.

[tonymac]

Originally Posted by tonymac

How often do people actually use their on-board radios?





is it necessary?

Don't get me wrong. Of course I have one on board - and I do listen on Ch 16 but I have never actually used it! My cruising area ranges from Belfast port round the north Irish sea, Lough Neagh and off North Donegal. OK slight need for it around here but to have never used it?


I am indeed being provocative here but it is a good question.

[m chappelow]

thing is you shouldent have the need to use it except for listening on ch 16 or 67 or perhaps listning to a working channel ie fishing trawlers,,unless its importent radio use should be kept to a minimum ,i know in some areas the rubbish chit chat from some certain boating groups [ not ribers or sibbers] is totally unnessesary .i have seen some of the largest ships in the world dock with less fuss than it takes some yotties or motor cruser skippers with the vhf .

[JSP]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

i have seen some of the largest ships in the world dock with less fuss than it takes some yotties or motor cruser skippers with the vhf .

That's true.

[PeterM]

I get a radio check each time I go out of the harbour (probably a hangover from aviation) - its no use at all if all the lights work , but no-one can hear you , or you cant hear them . Always on Ch16 and have assisted CG when close to boats with fouled prop etc with a short tow, and boat to boat from time to time.

As said its THE most useful bit of kit on the boat - if you NEED to use it I want to know it works.

[Hightower]

I think you should get used to talking on the Radio. If you're not used to it then people can get touge tied and give information when needed in an incorrect format or way. It's very easy to give wrong info across the airwaves, so it's important that you're comfortable with it. Having said all of this, I rarely use the Radio for chat, but use it to do a regular radio check with either the coastgaurd (not on channel 16) or a local maniner. I also listen to the local shipping and port channels, and the fishing channel too.

[Carl]

Originally Posted by tonymac

How often do people actually use their on-board radios?

is it necessary?

not that often now, i tend to use my ipod more

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Blackroady

I get a radio check each time I go out of the harbour (probably a hangover from aviation) - its no use at all if all the lights work , but no-one can hear you , or you cant hear them .

So how many times have the lights been on, but no one could hear you?

[willk]

Originally Posted by Polwart

So how many times have the lights been on, but no one could hear you?

I certainly have had this problem (antenna issues) where the set's lights were on but no TX. I could hear everyone (close by) but no-one could hear me...

... yes Mollers, I know - every RibNetters dream come true!

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by willk

... yes Mollers, I know - every RibNetters dream come true!

It would be if it were combined with keyboard issues.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by willk

I certainly have had this problem (antenna issues) where the set's lights were on but no TX. I could hear everyone (close by) but no-one could hear me...

... yes Mollers, I know - every RibNetters dream come true!

Same here - when I've lost the antenna - says its transmitting but nothing ,,,,,, and on aircraft radios ( effectivelty the same but a little further up the freqs) several times for various reasons.

I also prefer the radio to CD on the boat as it doesn't skip in bad weather

[chewy]

I'm lucky in the fact that I use the one on the Lifeboat alot which keeps me upto speed. We've been out and the radio has worked fine, shouted the CG for Ops normal and couldn't get em. We managed to snap the aerial just by hitting big waves.
We would usually do 2 aerials a year on the 21.

How many people have heard some one "over and out" on the radio, priceless!

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by tonymac

How often do people actually use their on-board radios?

is it necessary?

Nearly every time I go out - at least twice.

As I normally launch at the Camber in Portsmouth Harbour I have to ask QHM for permission to cross to the other side of the harbour in order to use the small boat channel to get out into the Solent. Then the same on the way back in.

Its quite nice to be able to use the radio inter-RIB on cruises too.

Nasher.

[Mollers]

How many people have heard some one "over and out" on the radio, priceless! [/QUOTE]

Loads.

Our instuctor when I did my VHF ticket was the cox of the Falmouth lifeboat at the time. He beat the 'over and outs' right out of us.

A salty old fishermen that was on the course, had spent a little too much time on the CB radio and couldn't drop the lingo. During the simulated conversations he kept coming out with unintentional gems such as 'Yeah, c'mon back Brixham Coastguard'. The instructor was losing his patience, I had to walk out of the classroom p'ing myself laughing.