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Re: VHF radio info for the tuna/kingy chasers

Posted: 13 Jan 2019, 10:43
by Seasherpa
4liters wrote:What’s the go with call signs? Is there some protocol for choosing one or are they just whatever you want?
My understanding is that normally its your boat name, but for us our boats aren't named so It can be of your choosing as long as it isn't your actual name.

Re: VHF radio info for the tuna/kingy chasers

Posted: 13 Jan 2019, 14:34
by Jacko
I am going to make my call sign Jacko since that is my Vyak alias.
My other radio will be carried by my wife on my old yak or will be kept back at shore.
Not sure what the other radio call sign will be.

I am not in to off shore tuna/kingy chasing yet but I decided to get two Lowrance Link-2 hand held radios with DSC & GPS since I have two yaks and I often fish with my wife.

I am still looking in to a group Maritime Mobile Service Identity number.
The nine digit number for an individual vessel (yak) in Austraia is in the format 503xxxxxx
The nine digit number for a group in Australia is in the format 0503xxxxx.

Re: VHF radio info for the tuna/kingy chasers

Posted: 13 Jan 2019, 16:08
by Jacko
If your radio has DSC and you have an MMSI you can make a contacts list of each others MMSIs for when you are on the water together.

Link to article about the feature as used by a group of 20 sea kayakers. (no affiliation)
I don't know whether this group of sea kayakers had a group MMSI for their UHF radios or not.
https://www.chsmith.com.au/news/lowranc ... mates.html

Re: VHF radio info for the tuna/kingy chasers

Posted: 20 Jan 2019, 17:41
by Jacko
One of the things I learned during the VHF radio AWQ course was that VHF marine repeater network along the Victorian Coast has gone live :yahoo: .

Attached is a link to a map of the VHF channels and repeater locations along the Victorian coast.

https://vicradiozone.files.wordpress.co ... etwork.png

Re: VHF radio info for the tuna/kingy chasers

Posted: 21 Jan 2019, 19:11
by spider25160
Jacko wrote:One of the things I learned during the VHF radio AWQ course was that VHF marine repeater network along the Victorian Coast has gone live :yahoo: .

Attached is a link to a map of the VHF channels and repeater locations along the Victorian coast.

https://vicradiozone.files.wordpress.co ... etwork.png
Interesting that the flyer says that it is monitored by the coast guard...As a member of the Portland flotilla the marine radio Vic seems to be treated like it is in competition more than anything else. The big advantage is that it is operational 24/7 with paid staff monitoring the radios from a central location (I assume in Melbourne) So for those of us lucky enough to be on the water outside the volunteer coast guard hours there is a go to for VHF assistance when out of phone range.

Re: VHF radio info for the tuna/kingy chasers

Posted: 03 Jan 2020, 21:57
by outback paul
With NSC20 only a few weeks away, I thought I'd better get myself a licence to operate the Uniden MHS127 radio I bought some time ago.
After spending some time on Google looking at courses in or near Melbourne, I found Victorian Boat Training (who were mentioned earlier in this thread) are running a course at Albert Park Yacht Club on January 15th.
Just wondering if any of you guys have done the AWQ VHF course with them, and have any comments or other suggestions?
Many thanks, Paul

Re: VHF radio info for the tuna/kingy chasers

Posted: 03 Jan 2020, 22:00
by outback paul
And also on the subject of VHF radios, I'm looking for some sort of shoulder bag or other means of having the radio in a secure container near the shoulder, for ease of use while fishing. Any suggestions very welcome. Thanks

Re: VHF radio info for the tuna/kingy chasers

Posted: 04 Jan 2020, 00:29
by Seasherpa
outback paul wrote:And also on the subject of VHF radios, I'm looking for some sort of shoulder bag or other means of having the radio in a secure container near the shoulder, for ease of use while fishing. Any suggestions very welcome. Thanks
Or on the shoulder of your pfd in one of these:
https://www.bcf.com.au/p/overboard-wate ... 13180.html

Lots of brands out there, I haven’t used one but I’ve heard the Aquapak ones are very good.

Re: VHF radio info for the tuna/kingy chasers

Posted: 04 Jan 2020, 11:33
by outback paul
Seasherpa wrote:
outback paul wrote:And also on the subject of VHF radios, I'm looking for some sort of shoulder bag or other means of having the radio in a secure container near the shoulder, for ease of use while fishing. Any suggestions very welcome. Thanks
Or on the shoulder of your pfd in one of these:
https://www.bcf.com.au/p/overboard-wate ... 13180.html

Lots of brands out there, I haven’t used one but I’ve heard the Aquapak ones are very good.
Thanks Eoin,
Unfortunately BCF seem to be out of stock, but I ordered the Overboard Pro VHF case from Find Sports.com.au for a little more @ $43.40 including delivery.