04-01-2006, 08:02 AM
Congrats on the new marine radio.
Legally, you should apply for a FCC marine operators license before transmitting with this radio. If you bought the radio new, there is usually information and in some cases a FCC license application that comes with the owners manual. I have a license for my radio, but I've noted very few actually use their call letters or actually have an marine radio operators license? That said, I'm not sure there is much FCC inforcement of Marine radio band out here in Rocky mountain states.[
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I monitor channel 16 as it is the calling and emergency channel. Marina's also monitor channel 16. I call out on 16 to find other boaters and then we switch to other simplex channels allowed for boat to boat communication. Do a web search on marine band channel and freqency chart and you'll find a channel/frequency allocation listing describing the intended use for each of the marine band channels.
To the best of my knowledge, BFT members are not on the VHF marine band channel 12, but rather on FRS-GRMS radio channel 12. The portbale low power FRS radios are not the same band and frequency as the VHF marine band.
Most VHF marine fixed mount radios have a 1 watt ( low power) transmit setting and a 25 watt (high power) setting. Make sure you are in the one watt ( low power setting) when testing your antenna for the first time. If you have a problem with the antenna or cable connections the low power setting will preclude damage to your radio. Unfortunately, unless you have an SWR (standing wave ratio) meter it is hard to determine if your antenna is working properly. The other option is go to a local lake that has a marina or other boats and ask them for a radio check. With a properly tuned and matched 8' foot antenna, you should have 7-15 miles of range across open water (in the high power mode).
Good luck with your new radio. I have one mainly for piece of mind knowing that if a catastrophic event should occur, I have the ability to contact other area boats or the state parks coast guard for assistance.
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Legally, you should apply for a FCC marine operators license before transmitting with this radio. If you bought the radio new, there is usually information and in some cases a FCC license application that comes with the owners manual. I have a license for my radio, but I've noted very few actually use their call letters or actually have an marine radio operators license? That said, I'm not sure there is much FCC inforcement of Marine radio band out here in Rocky mountain states.[
] I monitor channel 16 as it is the calling and emergency channel. Marina's also monitor channel 16. I call out on 16 to find other boaters and then we switch to other simplex channels allowed for boat to boat communication. Do a web search on marine band channel and freqency chart and you'll find a channel/frequency allocation listing describing the intended use for each of the marine band channels.
To the best of my knowledge, BFT members are not on the VHF marine band channel 12, but rather on FRS-GRMS radio channel 12. The portbale low power FRS radios are not the same band and frequency as the VHF marine band.
Most VHF marine fixed mount radios have a 1 watt ( low power) transmit setting and a 25 watt (high power) setting. Make sure you are in the one watt ( low power setting) when testing your antenna for the first time. If you have a problem with the antenna or cable connections the low power setting will preclude damage to your radio. Unfortunately, unless you have an SWR (standing wave ratio) meter it is hard to determine if your antenna is working properly. The other option is go to a local lake that has a marina or other boats and ask them for a radio check. With a properly tuned and matched 8' foot antenna, you should have 7-15 miles of range across open water (in the high power mode).
Good luck with your new radio. I have one mainly for piece of mind knowing that if a catastrophic event should occur, I have the ability to contact other area boats or the state parks coast guard for assistance.
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