New DSC gadget to figure out; good deal; radio tips?

[Mongo Johnson]

Still at West Marine for 139 and has DSC/GPS. Waterproof, floats, AAA and rechargeable batts etc.

I am new to marine radio. Anyone have practical tips on use so I don't use it like a dope?

Say you want to join up with a buddy who's already on the water, do you just have him monitor a channel and then call him there once you are paddling out?

I take it the non-commercial channels around 68 are for boaters/yakkers? Am looking here: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtBoater

Already did the ID stuff for DSC.

[bus kid]

I scan channels 68 69 72 for friends and 16 & 22A for anyone who may need help.
if your using you DSC radio on a kayak be sure to set your DSC to the away mode so that it does not respond to a distress call if it has that feature. If a call goes out and your miles away in a kayak there is not much you can do.

[William Novotny]

What bus kid said. I usually keep to ch. 16 when I'm by myself and scan 68,72,73 for fellow yakers. You can announce over 16 when hailing to let someone know to switch to ch. so and so as long as it's brief. Like " (boat name) if you copy, switch to channel 68, over". Also, never broadcast from land. It's a huge fine if you get caught.

There are websites with vhf etiquette, but most radio chatter I hear is pretty laid back. Just don't chit chat on standby or emergency channels or you will get barked at

[jorluivil]

Matt is on channels 1-99........................you might want to stay off those channels, he's pretty annoying.

[Mongo Johnson]

Thanks guys. Looks like a bit of time fiddling is in order. Thanks for the away mode comment. Good idea.

Question on William N's on broadcasting from land . . . Will having a ham license mitigate a fine? While not a ham unit, would it be covered under hand freq's? (I just started studying for a hammy.)

[bus kid]

Originally Posted by Mongo Johnson

Question on William N's on broadcasting from land . . . Will having a ham license mitigate a fine? While not a ham unit, would it be covered under hand freq's? (I just started studying for a hammy.)

http://www.cruisingworld.com/news/sh...ur-ham-license

According to this guy they are not the same, I dont know squat about Ham radio but don't the operate on different Freq's then VHF and UHF Marine and aircraft radios?

lots of good info

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/604477_.html

more good info

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/6...ine_band_.html