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Using Your VHF Radio
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Updated:
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VHF Channel assignments as well as some VHF frequency's
have changed.
You can check your radio to see if you have an older or a newer unit by, verifying that you have channel, 03A, 61A, and 64A in the USA operations mode. If you do not have them do not despair, this change was a long time coming. Some manufacturers have built in the new channel set prior to their being authorized. All you need to do is unlock them to update your VHF. Read your VHF instruction book and/or call your manufacturer from the boat while in front of the radio, let them walk you through it. Changes basically are Coast Guard working frequency's, and re-numbering of the weather channels. When going boating you should always be listening to the radio, it should be scanning at least 9, 13 & 16. And please no more calling or hailing on channel 16, all this has moved to Channel (9) the Coast Guard will remind you if you forget. James Clausen for the Maxum Sports Yacht Owners Group, Maxumowners.org
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Channel |
S/D |
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CHANNEL USE |
< S/D is Simplex or Duplex Communications |
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01A |
S |
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Port Operation and Commercial. VTS in selected areas |
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03A |
S |
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Government only, Coast Guard |
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05A |
S |
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Port operation. VTS in Seattle. |
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6 |
S |
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Inter-ship Safety |
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07A |
S |
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Commercial |
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8 |
S |
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Commercial (Inter-ship only) |
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9 |
S |
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Boater Calling channel, Commercial & Non-commercial Recreational |
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10 |
S |
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Commercial |
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11 |
S |
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Commercial. VTS in selected areas. |
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12 |
S |
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Port operation. VTS in selected areas. |
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13 |
S |
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Inter-ship Navigation Safety (Bridge-to-bridge) |
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14 |
S |
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Port operation. VTS in selected areas. |
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15 |
S |
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Environmental (Receive only) |
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16 |
S |
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International Distress, Maritime Safety Broadcasts. No calling or hailing, use CH 9 |
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17 |
S |
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State Controlled (11 W) |
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18A |
S |
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Commercial |
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19A |
S |
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Commercial |
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20A |
S |
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Port Operation |
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21A |
S |
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Government Only |
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22A |
S |
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Coast Guard / Maritime Safety Broadcasts are now announced on channel 16 |
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23A |
S |
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Government Only |
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24 |
D |
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Public Correspondence (Marine Operator) |
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25 |
D |
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Public Correspondence (Marine Operator) |
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26 |
D |
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Public Correspondence (Marine Operator) |
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27 |
D |
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Public Correspondence (Marine Operator) |
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28 |
D |
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Public Correspondence (Marine Operator) |
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61A |
S |
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Government Only, Pacific Coast, Commercial Fishing East Coast |
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63A |
S |
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Port Operation and Commercial. VTS in selected areas. |
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64A |
S |
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Government Only |
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65A |
S |
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Port Operations |
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66A |
S |
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Port Operations |
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66 |
D |
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Public Correspondence (Marine Operator), Port operation, ship movement |
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67 |
S |
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Commercial. Used for Bridge-to-bridge communications in lower Mississippi River, Inter-ship only |
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68 |
S |
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Non-commercial (Recreational) |
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69 |
S |
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Non-commercial (Recreational) fishing only International: Port operations and Ship movement |
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70 |
S |
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Digital selective calling (voice communications not allowed) |
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71 |
S |
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Non-commercial (Recreational) |
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72 |
S |
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Non-commercial (Inter-ship only) |
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73 |
S |
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Port Operations |
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74 |
S |
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Port Operations |
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77 |
S |
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Port Operations (inter-ship only) |
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78A |
S |
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Non-commercial (Recreational) |
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79A |
S |
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Commercial |
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80A |
S |
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Commercial |
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81A |
S |
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Government Only - Environmental protection operations. |
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82A |
S |
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Government Only, Canadian Coast Guard Only |
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83A |
S |
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Government Only, Canadian Coast Guard Only |
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84 |
D |
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Public correspondence (Marine Operator) |
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85 |
D |
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Public correspondence (Marine Operator) |
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86 |
D |
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Public correspondence (Marine Operator) |
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87 |
D |
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Public correspondence (Marine Operator) |
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88A |
S |
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Commercial, Inter-ship Only |
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WX1 |
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Weather (receive only) |
Stayed the same |
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WX2 |
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Weather (receive only) |
Stayed the same |
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WX3 |
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Weather (receive only) |
Stayed the same |
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WX4 |
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Weather (receive only) |
Old weather 7 |
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WX5 |
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Weather (receive only) |
Old weather 8 |
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WX6 |
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Weather (receive only) |
Old weather 9 |
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WX7 |
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Weather (receive only) |
Old weather 10 |
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WX8 |
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Weather (receive only) |
Old weather 5 |
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WX9 |
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Weather (receive only) |
Old weather 6 |
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WX10 |
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Weather (receive only) |
Old weather 4 |
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