Nicholas123
N/A
& which channels...![]()
I think I'll do my own thinking thank you very much.
& which channels...![]()
Just to clarify, VHF channel 12 has VTS, the Southampton based radar control of Solent & approaching shipping, ( very much like Air Traffic Control ) so are the ones to keep an ear on !
Channel 11 is QHM, Queens Harbour Master, and should be listened to anywhere near or approaching / leaving Portsmouth.
and also worth mentioning that the ferries go between the Ledge buoy and Princessa, rather than as one might assume outside to the east of the Princessa.
Correct but the Portsmouth-bound traffic reports on 11 to QHM from the Nab and Warner Bouy, or Prince Consort and North Stourbridge if coming the other way. The Southampton-bound stuff will be on Ch12 but will be going straight on in main channel or North channel. So CH11 is pretty useful if you want to know which traffic is turning off for Portsmouth.
Through the solent every time,
More sheltered, also opportunity to stop of at various locations if swmbo forgets a vital face/nail/hair/(etc) cream...![]()
OK I am bad at not listening to the VHF, but here is a though which ship is going where 90% of time:
Ferry, Navy - Portsmouth
Container Ship, Tanker, Cruise liner - Southampton.
Smaller Coasters any of above or Cowes.
Have I over simplified things?
I have a radio but have to admit leaving it off 99% of the time.
They aren't mandatory are they?
Used to do the same flying. Much easier to leave the thing off and avoid anywhere that required one.
I times past we sailed from Hamble so it was an easy choice, but now based in Gosport, which way should we go to the West (thinking Dartmouth) in a sailing boat, Solent or back of the Island?
Seems initially a little 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other so reasons please?
In the eastern Solent the tide turns west 2 hours before HW Portsmouth. Assuming you are a sailing boat you can leave then and have fair tide nearly all the way to Portland Bill
Back of the island has less traffic and is a prettier but longer passage![]()