VHF radio channels

[Hayling]

I have just bought a yacht back from France with a NAVICOM RT 450 DSC
a couple of years old.
But I cannot get the full range of radio channels, especially M1 and M2,
is it me or the radio?
Can anything be done (not about me, Obviously!)
Or is it new Radio time?
Thanks,
Roy

 

[Salty John]

Is the radio set on USA rather than International channels? There's usually a means of switching from one to the other.

 

[KellysEye]

Not sure why you would need them. Obviously they are private frequencies for UK marinas and yacht clubs but every marina we've talked has a 'normal' frequency. Not spoken to a yacht club though (use it for racing, perhaps?).

 

[rob2]

M1 and M2 are UK channels. M1 is otherwise known as P1 or 37. M2 is 161.425 and may not be on your set.

Otherwise, you should get all the international channels and maybe a few French "private" channels. I believe Dutch marinas use a frequency not available on any UK licensed set, so even if you get a new set for use in UK waters, the old one may have its uses! of course, I'm not advocating your keeping an unlicensed set...

Rob.

 

[rob2]

Ch80 is a duplex channel used by marinas in the UK: Ship 157.025, Shore 161.625.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

I have just bought a yacht back from France with a NAVICOM RT 450 DSC
a couple of years old.
But I cannot get the full range of radio channels, especially M1 and M2,
is it me or the radio?
Can anything be done (not about me, Obviously!)
Or is it new Radio time?
Thanks,
Roy

When you say you can't get M1 and M2, is that the label you are looking for in the channel setting display? AFAIR channel M1 = Ch 80 and M2= Ch 37 (or possibly the other way round) I know I use 80 to talk to my Marina and 37 for yacht club related communications.

 

[VicMallows]

M1 and M2 should not be configured on the set because they are not licensed channels in France. Most modern radios have to be be software programmed to add specific 'private' channels, and the facility is usually only known to 'official agents' who of course will charge.

Older, but still synthesised, VHFs (such as the Sealine 2 ... over 20yrs old) can be set up internally with a few diodes once you have worked out the multipliers.

(still older sets need a pair of new crystals for each channel!!!)

Vic

 

[Hayling]

Gosh you Guys are quick!
How do I know if it is on USA?
I want M1 and 2 because they are used by HISC for ship to shore,
rescue boat and racing instructions,
but can I use 37 and 80 instead?
Ta

 

[rob2]

Yes and No - in that order... M1=Ch37 but M2 is not Ch80.

 

[VicS]

AFAIR channel M1 = Ch 80 and M2= Ch 37 (or possibly the other way round)

Channel M is also known as Ch37 and a is single frequency private channel using 157.850 MHz

Ch M2 is a single frequency private channel using 161.425 MHz

Ch 80 is a duplex channel using 157.025 and 161.625 MHz

Ch M and Ch 80 are used by yachtclubs and marinas

Ch M2 only by yacht clubs AFAIK

The important thing to check is whether or not the radio is set to the international frequencies or US frequencies (or even Canadian)

In the US Ch 80 is single frequency (157.025 MHz)

Several other channels which are Internationally two frequency channels are only single frequency in the US They are 07, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 65, 66, 78, 79, 83 & 88


It is not stated if the problem is that the OP does not have an owners manual and therefore does not know where/how to find the "missing" channels and how to check/change the channel set between US and International or whether he has the instructions and still cannot get these channels.

The first requirement as they say is RTFM, read the full manual

 

[steve28]

its quicker to get it reprogrammed, i downloaded a program to do this from the internet and bought a cable from ebay.

Its just a matter of loading the program on the pc then select the features that are disabled that you need then save the changes to the radio.

 

[Searush]

its quicker to get it reprogrammed, i downloaded a program to do this from the internet (snip)

That sounds interesting. Any chance of a link to the download site?

Cheers, steve K

 

[earlybird]

Relying on memory here, but my Icom manual says that M1 and M2 are only included in the international channel set on radios sold in the UK. Navicom might be the same.

 

[Eygthene]

Quoting from VHF G22/02 - the RYA VHF manual
"Channel M is available to British yacht clubs - it is shown as P1 or 37 on some sets."
"Channel M2 is also available to British yacht clubs - 161.425MHz."
"Channel 80 is a duplex channel for use by marinas"

 

[VicS]

Quoting from VHF G22/02 - the RYA VHF manual

Or you could have simply read my earlier post.

 

[Hayling]

Navicom 450 Not looking good!

Well I have got the manual and checked and it is on Europe, not US.
And according to the manual it has no M1, M2 or Ch 37.
So can it be re-programmed, and if so by who as navicom website
no help, or does someone want to buy it and I will have to get another
to receive club race instructions?
Thanks.

 

[Ludd]

Sorry to intrude,but what is channel M3? I have it on my set(Apelco).

 

[Stork_III]

Sorry to intrude,but what is channel M3? I have it on my set(Apelco).

Old Marine channel 161.225 Simplex, Used by Seaview Yacht Club Solent? Not normally available on UK sets

 

[dmayes]

suggestion

Buy yourself a reasonable handheld for use in the cockpit while racing. This will have all the channels you need and be a backup to your main. You should not need the full range of the masthead antenna for racing around the cans.

 

[Ludd]

Old Marine channel 161.225 Simplex, Used by Seaview Yacht Club Solent? Not normally available on UK sets

Thanks for that---boat was commissioned and registered Southampton in 1973,don't think the radio is that old,though!!