Do you use VHF on the Thames

[Frontier]

Hi All

I was was wondering if you use VHF to call up the marina for a visitor berth on the Thames?

Cheers

D

 

[Chris_d]

Most of the time mine is locked away in a locker, nobody tends to stay in marinas anyway. It is however essential on the tidal Thames to monitor London VTS and call marinas for lock entry etc...

Have you got your Spirit planing yet?

 

[Frontier]

Hi Chris,

No hopefully the turbo's are coming off today, hope to have her sorted in a week or two. Weather was no good while we were off only got out 1 day. Ended up replacing the transom shower with a new hot & cold shower, fitted new taps/shower in the heads and new washers in the galley taps (too awkward to replace taps) So now the pump doesnt motor every few minutes. So it was all odd jobs.

How about you, are you back from the South coast now?

Cheers

D

 

[byron]

I used to leave mine on because generally some kind soul will put out a broadcast if there's a problem with or at a Lock.

 

[Chris_d]

Yes back safe and sound, was looking forward to a few easy weekends on the river, but now the weathers crap and river is on red boards /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Came back round in some fairly rough stuff, quite impressed how the old Spirit handled it although it needs more power. Worse thing was when spray started coming over the front the side windows leaked, another winter project /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BG1]

All the MDL marinas monitor Ch 80. Dont know about the others. As Byron says its good to monitor vhf traffic just to see whats going on and if any lock jams.

 

[Frontier]

Thanks for the replies.

D

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Yes, most of the time. 16 and club frequency if on a club trip, otherwise 16. 14 as opposed to 16 downstream of Teddington

 

[boatone]

Keep mine on scan on 6/8/14/16 when I remember... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Quite surprising how far upstream you can receive London VTS.

 

[apollo]

Yep, always get London VTS at Pangbourne meadow...

 

[Chris_d]

Sounds like I am going to have to get my radio out of the locker instead of stowing it away on the river, lots of gossip to be heard /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Perhaps the EA could do an hourly "river conditions" broadcast, switch to ch 69 for latest ripple warnings etc....

 

[TrueBlue]

[ QUOTE ]
Keep mine on scan on 6/8/14/16 when I remember... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Quite surprising how far upstream you can receive London VTS.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes they have a system of repeaters, so their regular bulletins are as clear as a bell, but I don't know how well it works the other way - my antenna is so close to the water.....

 

[boatingdave]

When you say 'all MDL marinas' does this include inland such as Windsor? Never noticed any antenna's?