What are the current chanels that everyone is using now? I have been using channel 7. It is nice to locate you guys while out on the water or ice.
I believe Ch. 12-0 has been the āunofficialā BFT channel. If your radio is capable of doing sub-channels set it to 0, since not all BFTāers have radios that do sub-channels.
I have also switched to 7-0 because it is 10 mile channel and 12-0 is a 1/2 mile channel.
I donāt get much BFG traffic on 7 though.
12 has been the BFT channel for several years.
I think the official channel should be moved to 7-0. It can transmit over 10 miles with the radios I have.
This subject has come up several times in the past, and everyone has some kind of opinion on it. I agree with what has already been posted and that is to use channel 7-0 since it definitely has a longer range than channel 12. Plus all radios, even the older ones with only 12 channels can transmit/receive on 7-0. It really bugs me when some people come on the site and tell everyone they need to register with the FCC, etc. if they are using the higher power, etc. Yes, its the rule, but let people decide for themselves. Kinda like buying a license to fish or having a license to driveā¦its our choice! So lets go with with this without a lot of āpro/conā B.S. for other channels
To make life easier for everyone, when you are going to a water, keep your radio on āscanā, if you have that option, and you should be able to pick up traffic on any channel. Along the front, where there is a lot of radio traffic, just keep it on 7-0 so you donāt have to listen to everyone elseās conversations.
I was looking in the paper work that came with my radio. It had this website listed http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=family for you who want to know the truth about the radios.
On all radios channel 1 ā 7 are labeled FRS & GMRS and have up to 5 watts, Channels 8 ā 14 are labeled FRS and have half watt Channels 15-22 are GMRS and have up to 5 watts.
FRS is Family Radio Service and GMRS is General Mobile Radio Service
FRS stations are set aside for family and friends use in hiking and camping.
I also called the number listed in the paper work to the FCC. I asked why channel 1 ā 7 are labeled for both. He stated that the FCC is looking at deregulating the frequencies used by Channel 1 ā 7. It is unlikely that anyone will get in trouble using the first 14 channels. However channel 15 ā 22 will still require a license.
BTW a 5 year license is $160.00.
Those silly FCC guys. What they didnāt tell you is you can get a marine radio, telephone and telegraph (RTT) license with aviation and marine RADAR endorsment for about what you pay for a GRMS permit.
While a little spendy to get, in the long run itās way cheaper. My renewal fees are 25 bucks for 5 years.
O.K., so what does that do for me; it allows me to run anything that transmits radio frequency (RF) energy. Including HAM, VHF, UHF, all SSB to include SSSB, ULF, all RADARS and sattalite radios. If it transmits energy, Iām covered.
If you want one of those I can do some checking when the next class is, figure about 500 bills for the class, but they teach the test and you get your permit on the spot. Nobody has ever failed when they take the class.
Iāve had mine for over 25 years, no matter what FCC rules change, youāll always be in compliance.
IFG
Thatās not too bad of a deal but as little as I use my radios on the 5 watt channels Iāll take my chance of them finding me.
IceFishingGod, Iām sorry, but your post is couldnāt be more wrong and in fact could land you in big trouble with the FCC (should you ever transmit outside of allocated marine band frequencies)! Youāre not exactly correct when you state you can ātransmitā on any radio frequency with that license!!! 
You CAN NOT transmit on any HAM frequencies, commercial, Public service, Government and you definetely can not transmit on any frequency or any modulation method. The Marine RT license is intended for ship-to-shore or ship-to-ship and was not intended for Land-Land based communication. In fact, the Marine RT license has very specific frequencies that have power and modulation method restrictions ( depending on the band). As a true licensed Ham radio and Commercial Class license operator / Engineer ( TV & Radio), I highly recommend you look up the lastest FCC rules, regs and freq allocations for the Marine RT license. [crazy]
Ch. 7 sounds good, but I know that it seems to me that not as many BFTārs carry there radios with them out on the ice/soft water anymore or if they do, they donāt turn them on or talk on them as much. I donāt know if thatās because of not wanting their spots to get crowded out after telling a friend/BFTār where they are and how great the fishing is and to come on over. Fear of 50 people all of a sudden start heading that way. I donāt know if thatās the reason or not, you tell me, but I know that folks are not taking their radios with them (or at least talking on them) like it was say 2-3 years ago when there were hundreds of less members and guests of this forum.
Could be other reasons, but there seems to be less BFT chatter on radios now, and thatās all Iām trying to say hereā¦Maybe someone else could explain why?[crazy]
Iāve noticed the same thing. I usually take mine out but rarely turn it on anymore.
Didja ever consider that it is just YOU, Geoff? Maybe nobody wants to talk to YOU.
I always have my walkie talkies on and openā¦especially when TubeBabe is fishing with me. We communicate back and forth to help find a pattern.
But, when she gets outta handā¦or starts catchinā more fish than meā¦my radio suddenly develops problems and I ācanāt hear herā no more. Know what I mean?
Actually, we set our radios on channel 5 or channel 8 because most places we fish there is a lot of cross talkā¦either from kids or folks goinā by on the highway. We have a code that if all of a sudden there is a bunch of other conversation we go up or down a couple of channels and then check in to see if the other one made it.
Itās tough to establish a standard channel for all BFTers on all waters. The best thing is when a group is going, to agree on the channel to set for BFT communications. That can be a standard of channel 7 and see where it goes from there.
As you point out though, a lot of guys take their walkie talkies and then leave them off in their bucket or wherever. Either that or they wait until they are fishing to check the batteries. Walkie talkies donāt work without batteries. Duh!
I keep both my camera and my walkie talkie around my neck on a stretch cord. I keep them down inside a layer of clothing to keep the batteries warm but to keep them handy in case of quick need. Man, itās embarassing though, to try to take a picture of a big fish with my walkie talkieā¦or to answer a BFTer on my camera.
OK then, Lucky 7 it will be.
Maybe the confusion about what channel to be on accounts for not as much chat.
Anyway, Iāll moniter 7 this winter and weāll see how it goes.
One way to cut down on being crowded is to talk in code. āYeah, weāre over where we were last week when we saw youā āGetting more/less than that time we went ā¦ā Stay away from specifics over the air. If a BFTār or friend really wantās to know they will walk over to see.