Marine Radio Frequencies

[Pompey]

Hi
I hope you can help. I have a programmable VHF radio which I am setting up for marine use in the Solent area to use on my small sail boat. Although I am okay operating the radio correctly, however I do not have experience of using a radio in the marine environment It is primarily in case of emergency and any other useful contacts. Looking at the tables, I see there are many marine channels available and I would like to know the most important channels (apart from Channel 16) to set up for this area, as I don't want to be scrolling through loads of channels if I only require a few. Thanks.

[CDK]

To operate a VHF marine radio you'll need a license, so you have to take a course.
Once you've done that, you will know exactly which channels are important because that is mainly what the course is all about.

[Pompey]

Thanks for the response. I have the VHF licence and the training and am familiar with all the marine channels available and their uses, so first hand experience of using a radio in the Solent area would be helpful.
Thanks

[MattZ]

A nautical chart will have this information, no? I haven't seen many charts, to be honest, but the ones I have seen did include the VHF frequencies for the harbour master, airport, etc.

[goboatingnow]

see this for a start

http://www.qhmportsmouth.com/port-ln...ion=view&id=26

[Pompey]

Thanks, guys. Some useful information. The website gives good guidance on channels to listen on in the area and there is an equivalent http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk which covers Southampton and Hamble.
Appreciate your help.

[multihullsailor]

Originally Posted by Pompey

Thanks, guys. Some useful information. The website gives good guidance on channels to listen on in the area and there is an equivalent http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk which covers Southampton and Hamble.
Appreciate your help.

Hi Pompey, you can find a lot of useful / helpful VHF channel infomation for the Solent and surrounding areas and its numerous ports and marinas in the Reeds Almanach - it helped me on my cruise when I was there this summer.