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I have a Uniden Solara VHF radio. Last weekend we were fishing out of Harker's Island and I kept the dial on 68 pretty much the whole time. That was good for talking about fishing - but what is the proper way to monitor VHF? Are we supposed to monitor 16 as well? And what's the best way to keep an eye on the weather? I don't believe the Solara has a scan feature so I have to pick one channel at a time. How does everyone use their radios out there?
Thanks
If you're not talking you're expected to be monitorring 16 in case there's a hail or emergency situation.
If you want to find out if there's a channel informally favorred in your neighborhood, ask on the regional boards. Someone from your neck of the woods... er.. waters may give you the info you want.
Good luck!
__________________ I'm not a boat expert, I just read THT!
Radios are relatively inexpensive.....so in my humble opinion, you should have two(2)! Leave one on channel 16 and use the other any way you wish. It solves your problem and gives you a back up. I have this set up as well as a handheld....just in case!
Radios are relatively inexpensive.....so in my humble opinion, you should have two(2)! Leave one on channel 16 and use the other any way you wish. It solves your problem and gives you a back up. I have this set up as well as a handheld....just in case!
So you have 2 antennas I presume? Or is there any way to share the antenna?
I like this idea a lot. My current radio doesn't have DSC...so I can get a new one with that feature for the second radio.
Radios are relatively inexpensive.....so in my humble opinion, you should have two(2)! Leave one on channel 16 and use the other any way you wish. It solves your problem and gives you a back up. I have this set up as well as a handheld....just in case!
So you have 2 antennas I presume? Or is there any way to share the antenna?
I like this idea a lot. My current radio doesn't have DSC...so I can get a new one with that feature for the second radio.
Radios are relatively inexpensive.....so in my humble opinion, you should have two(2)! Leave one on channel 16 and use the other any way you wish. It solves your problem and gives you a back up. I have this set up as well as a handheld....just in case!
So you have 2 antennas I presume? Or is there any way to share the antenna?
I like this idea a lot. My current radio doesn't have DSC...so I can get a new one with that feature for the second radio.
Jeremy
I also have 2 radio's and each has its own antenna.
__________________ Move along, nothing to see here.
squibblips - 8/10/2005 4:32 PM Radios are relatively inexpensive.....so in my humble opinion, you should have two(2)! Leave one on channel 16 and use the other any way you wish. It solves your problem and gives you a back up. I have this set up as well as a handheld....just in case!
Most VHF transceivers have a ch 16 priority/scan function..at least mine does. No need to have two unless you have more than one helm. I have a handheld for a back-up. You can take it with you if,heaven forbid,you must abandon the boat.Plus the most likely reason for your VHF failing is power loss or a lightning strike.If you looose one chances are that*the "backup" will be lost too!*
Yeah I have two separate antenna(s) as I do have separate helms. However, even if I had one helm I would still have two radios. Loss of power would be a loss of both units (thus the handheld), but you just never know when one may decide to quit for good. They really are just cheap insurance in my opinion....of course I believe in redundancy when boating is concerned.
What channel to monitor 
