Just got my first VHF radio

My first ever VHF radio (ICOM M34) just arrived and is charging.

I read through the manual which provides an excellent description of how to use the radio functions but does not appear to cover general usage guidelines.

For example it describes in detail how to adjust squelch but does not tell me what it is and why I would want to adjust it. Also it has a range of channel scanning options but does not give any indication to guide me in understanding under what conditions I may wish to use "priority scan" as opposed to "dual scan" or "tri scan"

Please point me to an article online hopefully entitled something akin to "Getting the most out of your new VHF radio". Failing that I would love to here from other VHF radio users on there standard usage. I am particularly interested in how people use the radio when not in an emergency situation e.g. do you turn it off or do you use it to monitor 16 and the weather.

Thanks.

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2007 Getaway

Squelch is your sensistivity adjustment to incoming weak signals. Adjust it too high and you will not get anything coming in except from someone standing right next to you. Adjust it too low, and everything comes in, including static noise.
Play around with the settings until you just start to block out the static. This will let you pick up transmissions that are just above the noise background. If you are trying to listen to a weak signal, then turn the squelch off.

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2003 Tiger - Don Atchley

Also, read "VHF Manners" in the May/June Hobie HOTLINE, page 10.

Here

The main reason I purchased the VHF is for sailing out on SF Bay and out of Santa Cruz.

In each of these locations what are the channels that it would be wise for me to monitor beyond 16 and 9?

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2007 Getaway

Hey Nerf,
It depends what information you're looking for. It's cool to monitor 16 because you can potentially be able to help someone near you that may be in distress--or be alerted to any hazzards in the area. If you hear a Mayday call or Pon pon call it's very seamanlike to listen up and see what's going on--And maybe offer assistance. On Hobies it's hard to rescue people, but whoknows? The bay is cold and things can happen fast, so it's nice to have another set of ears and eyes out there to help out your fellow mariner and the coasties and harbor patrol. I've plucked people out of the bay after hearing a mayday call for a sinking vessel. People are glad to have any type of floating vessel come up in that situation.

Specifically in the bay there is a channel for VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) I forgot what it is, but that may be useful to allert you of incomming and outgoing shipping traffic. Those big suckers move fast (20kts+or-), and you never want to hear 5 blasts--that means you screwed up in a big way and you may get crushed by a giant ship full of cars.

Other than that, if you want to hear race committees chatter at the crash boats, or fish stories from the reef use 68-69.

I keep my VHF off until I need it as I can't hear it anyway. On the monohull I keep it on 16.

BTW Everyone that sails Hobies in open water should have a VHF. Pretty much every harbor patrol boat, and coastie boat has an RDF on board. They can triangulate your position in just a few broadcasts. Cell phones don't cut it in my opinion. They're not waterproof (usually). Who are you going to call? You'll be patched to 4 agencies before you can get someone that can help you. And cell coverage can be spotty. Not the best if you need help ASAP.

Hope that helps!!

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Sail Revolution
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With a VHF, there are two rules:

-NEVER say Mayday, unless you mean it or want a huge fine, and
-NEVER swear.

Well, there are more than two rules . . .

As the article in the HOTLINE says - they are not toys or to be used for idle chit-chat.

You want to yak over the radio - get a CB or PRS radios.