VHF Radio Operation

Default User · Post by **Default User** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:57 pm

Hi Gang.

A friend and I were discussing where it was legal/permitted to operate marine band VHF.
I know that you have to be on a boat, and that land based operation requires a special permit or license.
My question is; is it legal to operate on any body of water, or does it need to be a "navagable" waterway?
I looked around the internet and could'nt find any rules regarding this.

Cheers,
Dave

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:15 am

Inland lakes are legal for VHF use.

Interesting topic....what if the road floods, you get in a canoe and are paddling around....can you use your VHF?

Don't know the answer to that.....

robbarnes1965 · Post by **robbarnes1965** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:44 am

I would assume that you would really have to be making abusive use to raise any problems even if it was illegal. I'm amazed at how some people will go into detail talking about what they had for lunch on channel 16...

Default User · Post by **Default User** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:02 pm

After continued research on the web, everything I have found seems to indicate that if your on a boat that is floating, you can use marine vhf.

And I agree, that you would probably really have to be causing interference to get any kind of imperial attention.

Dave

pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:20 pm

Rick

Catigale wrote:Inland lakes are legal for VHF use.

Interesting topic....what if the road floods, you get in a canoe and are paddling around....can you use your VHF?

Don't know the answer to that.....

Don't know if I could - - - but I would

Rick

raycarlson · Post by **raycarlson** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:30 pm

i wouldn't worry about it to much,i doubt with the current state of the federal govm't that the FCC even has any enforcment people on the payroll,the bigger problem is people using it like their cellphone.

seahouse · Post by **seahouse** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:55 pm

Also note that, at least in our jurisdiction, you must have a radio license (or at least one person on board must) if you have a VHF radio on board - even if it's turned off.

vizwhiz · Post by **vizwhiz** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:21 pm

No intention of hijacking this thread, but this seems like a great time to bring up the basic questions...where does one look for guidance on how to use the radio, proper protocol, etc.? I mean, we don't have the same radio operator license requirements down here that they apparently have up in Canada...and possibly elsewhere...but I'm sure there are guidelines and ways you are, and are not, supposed to use the radio. Anyone have some pointers about where to start? Do people use all the other channels besides 16? There are so many questions since it is broadcast and not point-to-point like a phone...

arknoah · Post by **arknoah** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:24 am

seahouse wrote:Also note that, at least in our jurisdiction, you must have a radio license (or at least one person on board must) if you have a VHF radio on board - even if it's turned off.

Wow! Is that just in Ontario?

jake409 · Post by **jake409** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:18 am

down here dont need license, and we used VHF in the shipyard i used to work at. land and on the water. just dont abuse it 16/13

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:36 am

I think that is a Canada wide reg...always interesting food for thought when we cross Ontario and technically become illegal VHF operators.....

yukonbob · Post by **yukonbob** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:55 am

It is Canada wide. Again you'd have to be pi$$ off everyone in order to get in trouble for it. I have a restricted aeronautical operators and technically it is not sufficient for marine radio use!?!? The good thing is they are good for life once acquired and is a good course either way.

wccorder · Post by **wccorder** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 10:14 am

No intention of hijacking this thread, but this seems like a great time to bring up the basic questions...where does one look for guidance on how to use the radio, proper protocol, etc.? I mean, we don't have the same radio operator license requirements down here that they apparently have up in Canada...and possibly elsewhere...but I'm sure there are guidelines and ways you are, and are not, supposed to use the radio. Anyone have some pointers about where to start? Do people use all the other channels besides 16? There are so many questions since it is broadcast and not point-to-point like a phone... vizwhiz
Captain

A good source for information and guidance would be to take the USPS seminar on operating a VHF Marine radiol.. Check the USPS web site for seminars near you
Wally

FinallySailing · Post by **FinallySailing** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 12:58 pm

vizwhiz wrote:No intention of hijacking this thread, but this seems like a great time to bring up the basic questions...where does one look for guidance on how to use the radio, proper protocol, etc.? I mean, we don't have the same radio operator license requirements down here that they apparently have up in Canada...and possibly elsewhere...but I'm sure there are guidelines and ways you are, and are not, supposed to use the radio. Anyone have some pointers about where to start? Do people use all the other channels besides 16? There are so many questions since it is broadcast and not point-to-point like a phone...

The RYA has a couple of really good publications, which should be available in North America as well and probably are sufficient if you do not have to take a course to be allowed to operate VHF (here in the UK we do need a license but this can easily be achieved by taking part in a 1 day course + exam at the end).
The basic booklet for our course is "RYA VHF radio including GMDSS", a more concise publication is "RYA VHF Handbook" by Tim Bartlett. Even with the VHF license, I find its great to have the booklet to read up again after the winter break.

DaveB · Post by **DaveB** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 2:02 pm

Yes to any body of water.
Many use the hand held VHF as a land to ship comunication, tho FCC rules don't allow this unless you have the land base lic. many do.
I think it is a safety issue as a a dingy going ashore and haveing comunication with a person on board without haveing any type of Cell Phone connection is ?
Two way Cb handheld is best for that but is limited to range.Walkie Talkie is great for a short range.
But less face it, a handheld VHF handheld 5 watt will get over 3 miles min.
Most stay on a working channel, not Channel 16 or 22.
Dave

Default User wrote:Hi Gang.

A friend and I were discussing where it was legal/permitted to operate marine band VHF.
I know that you have to be on a boat, and that land based operation requires a special permit or license.
My question is; is it legal to operate on any body of water, or does it need to be a "navagable" waterway?
I looked around the internet and could'nt find any rules regarding this.

Cheers,
Dave

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