Southern part of the Bay down to Southport is:
27 MHz: Ch 88 can be used for initial contact with VMR or AVCG If you can't raise them on Ch 90
Ch 86 being the standby for 88 can also be used if a last resort
Preferably try on Ch 90 first as this is the "working channel"
Even though Ch 88 is often referred to as the "emergency channel" it is still quite OK to use
for making an initial contact but you must move off it to a "working channel" once comms with
the other station are stablished.
You can use Ch 96 for chit chat between boats but even Ch 90 is OK for BRIEF calls
between boats, just don't hog the channel with excessive and unnecessary chatter.
VHF: Channel 16 the same as Ch 88 above
Ch 73 the primary "working channel"
Ch 67 the secondary "working channel"
73 is usually the best all over the Bay and you rarely have to go to 67 but worth trying if you
can't get any action on 16 and 73.
There is also a VHF repeater station on Ch 81 that is much longer range and can also be
used if you are having contact difficulties. It is "time limited" to about 30 or 60 seconds I think
so you will get chopped off if you babble on too much!
Northern part of the Bay:
27 MHz: As above but Ch 91 becomes the primary
VHF: As above. 73/67
If any doubt try them all as most VMR and AVCG units listen out on them all anyway and will soon set you straight on the best channel for the day.
In an emergency, who cares? Use 16 or 88 primarily but yell on whatever works for you at the moment!
Send Subzero a PM as he runs some pretty good marine radio courses at Victoria Point and well worth the couple of nights and a few bucks to attend.
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