VHF radio channels

[Bilgediver]

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

The radio is probably programmed for French approvals so possibly has ATIS but not channels M1 and M2 which are only included in the radios destined for up with UK MPT approval.

This radio is no doubt a cloned something else and so if you can find the UK dealer he may be prepared to program M1 and M2 into it as there will be a section in memory for a few private channels. Just to confuse you they may appear as P1 and P2 .

If the yacht was registered in France then the MMSI number will have to be reprogrammed also if the boat is being registered in the UK

If the radio has ATIS then this should be disabled as it inhibits the intership frequencies to 1 watt.

Your manual will show how to do this.

 

[EdWingfield]

Take your set along to the local radio man. Mine was given the Dutch marina's (37a) and ch zero for very little dosh.

 

[mcframe]

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.

Or have one person down below on main VHF taking notes *and* another in the cockpit with handheld and see if they agree on the course ;-)

For added flavour, chuck in a little 20-quid voice recorder - also useful for WX.

 

[Jim@sea]

I brought my boat back from France, the 10 year old VHF works perfectly but with less channels, anyway I decided to buy a new "DSC" (cheap as chips) VHF and a new aerial, so I now have 2 working VHF radios. why throw away a working radio and its safer to have more than 1.

 

[ditchcrawler]

I thought the "Dutch Marinas" Channel (the one we haven't got on UK radios) was ch 31.A friend got permission from Offcom to have it added.

 

[Stork_III]

I thought the "Dutch Marinas" Channel (the one we haven't got on UK radios) was ch 31.A friend got permission from Offcom to have it added.

Ch 31 is Dutch Marina channel, a Notice of Variation of License is required from Ofcom for a UK radio License holder, channel not to be used within 31 NM of UK low water line. Radio Dealer should not program radio without sight of the Notice of Variation of License. CH 31 allocated to RNLI shore rescue in UK.

Highly unlikely anybody would get a Notice of Variation of License for CH 0.

Ch 37A is on USA channel list on any UK radio with International/USA switch.

 

[EdWingfield]

Oh, ok ch31a is what I have for Holland - I misremembered, thank you.

tip. if you ask permissions, for adding extra channels 0 etc. They might say no.

 

[Stork_III]

Oh, ok ch31a is what I have for Holland - I misremembered, thank you.

tip. if you ask permissions, for adding extra channels 0 etc. They might say no.

I do not knowingly break the law of the land, others may choose to do so.

 

[Hayling]

Cheap hand held, why didnt I think of that! Durr!
And a cheap dictaphone, as used by club when recording race finishes.
Come to think of it I don't know why I am bothering, with my ability I might just as well follow the other guys around!

Or have one person down below on main VHF taking notes *and* another in the cockpit with handheld and see if they agree on the course ;-)

For added flavour, chuck in a little 20-quid voice recorder - also useful for WX.

 

[EdWingfield]

I do not knowingly break the law of the land, others may choose to do so.

Yes Mr Stork I agree, those radio engineers are very naughty, and their wrists should be tapped.

You never knowingly break the law of the land? You drive a car? I'm impressed!

 

[Stork_III]

Yes Mr Stork I agree, those radio engineers are very naughty, and their wrists should be tapped.

You never knowingly break the law of the land? You drive a car? I'm impressed!

The financial risk to the radio engineers is substantial, the ones I know would not retune a radio to a channel without a NOV. Yes I drive a car but enen so still do not knowingly break the law, I have been doing it for 43 years. I did not say I don't break the law, but not kowingly, read intentially.