Who uses VHF channel L1, L2, L3 ?

[colingh]

Who is entitled to use - or required to use - VHF channels L1 ,L2 and L3 in the Baltic.

I'd like to know, because in a few weeks time, our bows will be pointing East for the next few months, and we'll need to talk to the natives on the right wave-length, so to speak, when we reach Baltic waters.

Please e-mail me - colin-h@ntlworld.com - with any advice.

Thanks.

Colin H.

 

[salamicollie]

I believe these are local frequencies (like M1 and M2 in the UK) and are used in Finland. Can't help on what they are used for/by!

 

[snowleopard]

Most people have heard of the different channels used in the US but in fact a great number of countries have a few of their own special channels. In practice, the standard international channels work everywhere. 16, 6 and 70 for general communication. port operations will nominate one of the standard duplex channels. You are very unlikely to find anyone forcing you to use non-international channels outside US waters.

 

[Cornishman]

[ QUOTE ]
70 for general communication

[/ QUOTE ]

Er, not quite. 70 is for digital alert only

 

[snowleopard]

When I said 'general communication' I was using the term in it's English sense. There is in fact no VHF 'General Communication' channel. Of course the three channels I mentioned all have specific functions within that heading namely.

70 calling (DSC)
16 calling (non-DSC)
6 primary inter-ship channel.

 

[Bilgediver]

These are the local versions of our M1 and M2 but not sure what frequency they are..

hope you found

http://www.fma.fi/e/leisure/boating/#2

Fair bit of useful info



John

 

[roger]

I have not found VHF very useful in Sweden and Finland except for the excellent weather forecasts. Marina operators don' t seem to bother either

 

[milltech]

Depending on your model of radio you could have them programmed in for your trip. Not sure how legal this is with radios having to conform and all that stuff.

I used to supply the Nasa SX35 to Finland and other Baltic countries and they were programmed for me by Nasa, I guess SMG, the current distributor could do the same and likewise all the high end stuff must be programmable.

 

[colingh]

I did not know about the Finish maritime web site until you told me. All good stuf, but does not answer my question. I can get any permutation of two extra channels put into my VHF, so which do I choose ?

Colin H

 

[HBL]

Hi

The L1 and L2 are channels for Nordic leisurebots in Nordic waters only and the L2 is only a "calling channel" and L1 is "talking channel"
They where introduced some years ago in order to take the load of channel 16. but you can use the channels 72 and 77 for traffic between leisure boats here instead.

L3 ? I do not know!

Cheers

Hans

 

[colingh]

Hans,
Thank you for your comment.

Am I correct in thinking you come from Denmark ? I ask, because I have seen L1 and L2 listed for Denmark, but L1, L2 and L3 are listed for use in Sweden.

Does this mean that I must have all three channels, or will L1 and L2 be enough when we sail from Danish waters into Swedish waters in perhaps 2006 ?

Also, do you know a cheap safe place to leave a 28ft yacht in Denmark next winter ? (At the moment, our boat is in Holland - much cheaper than in England.)

Thank you,

Colin H

PS : Your 'second language' English has better grammar than 15% of the English population.

 

[HBL]

Hi Colin

No I am from Stockholm Sweden.

The strange thing is that I loocked in the book I had when I took my licence and there they talk about NORDIC boats meaning (I guess) only boats from the Nordic i.e. Sweden Denmark Finland and Norway. If it is that way then I think you are not supposed to use this channels aldo I don´t think anyone would mind.
I can not find any info on the L3 in the book at all.

The best way is to look at this site wich I just found and it is to "Stockholm Radio" wich is the Coast radio here, it is in English and you can e-mail them and ask about the L3

http://www.stockholmradio.com/en/

Why wait to 2006. You should really sail up to Stockholm archipelargo now.
It is the only place in the world where U can find "An island to oneself"
We have about 30.000 to choose from outside Stockholm.

Anyway you are always Welcome whenever you come.

Cheers

Hans

P.s Thank you!

 

[milltech]

I think I'm correct to say that Denmark anyway does not use L3 but that their licencing authorities tolerate it installed on the radio.

 

[colingh]

Hans,
Thanks for the information.

I did not post a reply immediately, as I hoped that somebody else would add some more information.

I understand that Sweden is good to visit, but we will be in no hurry to get there if we find other interesting places to spend time looking at. Our form of cruising is to have a vague ambition, not a definite plan, so we do not feel the need to move on when the weather is bad or the country is interesting.

If we do not get very far before the weather says the summer is coming to an end, we will leave the boat where it is, and go home on a train. Hence my interest in finding cheap places to leav a boat in South Denmark, because I do not think we will get any further this year.

Colin-H

 

[Bejasus]

not sure where you would want to return to in the UK, but you could try Esbjerg in Denmark, where you can also get a ferry to Harwich.