More radio advice required...sorry lol

[izzetafox]

Guys,
I have just got myself a vhf radio. Being in Leicester it has not been possible to get a course under my belt before going on the water ( 1st 2 weeks of July ).
I intend to carry the radio on the water with me and monitor transmissions and hopefully not use it in an emergency. I feel it is worth monitoring CH16 as if a yakker had been in Aberdaron last week on air they could possibly have saved the RNLI a trip to the islands in the bay to recover some people in a cheap inflatable who had got caught in an offshore wind with no safety gear and 'play' paddles.

A couple of questions:
I know I am ok to use it unlicensed if needed to save life or similar emergency. Would I be advised to do a signals check once on the water, if so would this be on CH16?
I know CH16 should be monitored but out of interest I would like to be 'nosey' and monitor other chat in the area. What channel(s) are popular in the Aberdaron, Pwllheli area.
I intend to carry a laminated copy of the 'Mayday' & Pan Pan' procedures with me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers Terry

[SEAJUNKY]

Hi Terry

Have a look at this link mate , you might find it of interest.

www.ukmaritime.org.uk/Radiotraining/Training%20Tips.htm

I don't know if you are available but I have a course running on the 12th July at the holyhead coastguard station. @ a cost of £65 all in. For your information, most radios will moniter more than one station at a time, having said that I am not familiar with your set. All radio users are duty bound to moniter channel 16 for emergency transmissions. When we are on the water as a forum we go to channel 72, but we still moniter channel 16 as well.

[izzetafox]

SJ, that would have been perfect however that is the middle saturday of my hols and I am getting the grandkids to spend the 2nd week with us, thanks though.