VHF Radio on Winni

Weekend Pundit · 05-19-2023, 03:47 PM

I monitor Channel 16 both when I am on my boat and from my home.

Activity on 16 (and 9) is very up and down during the boating season.

I have never had an issue raising Marine Patrol in Glendale on 16 unless I was up in Moultonborough Bay and then, more often than not, I was able to reach one of their patrol boats in the area. I have two Marine VHF radios - one mounted in my boat and a handheld. The handheld will definitely have some range issues but it is a decent backup to the primary radio.

While cell service covers most of the lake, there are dead spots in a number of locations around the lake.

Cell phones are great, but as I have asked more than a few folks who think a VHF radio isn't needed, I point to a boat on the lake some distance away and ask them:

"Okay, what's the phone number for the person on that boat if we need help?"

"Oh, I can call 911!"

"Really? What if there's no cell coverage where you happen to be?"

They never have an answer for that one.

05-19-2023, 03:47 PM	#12
Weekend Pundit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilford Posts: 362 Thanks: 26 Thanked 70 Times in 43 Posts	Marine VHF versus Cell Phones I monitor Channel 16 both when I am on my boat and from my home. Activity on 16 (and 9) is very up and down during the boating season. I have never had an issue raising Marine Patrol in Glendale on 16 unless I was up in Moultonborough Bay and then, more often than not, I was able to reach one of their patrol boats in the area. I have two Marine VHF radios - one mounted in my boat and a handheld. The handheld will definitely have some range issues but it is a decent backup to the primary radio. While cell service covers most of the lake, there are dead spots in a number of locations around the lake. Cell phones are great, but as I have asked more than a few folks who think a VHF radio isn't needed, I point to a boat on the lake some distance away and ask them: "Okay, what's the phone number for the person on that boat if we need help?" "Oh, I can call 911!" "Really? What if there's no cell coverage where you happen to be?" They never have an answer for that one. Last edited by Weekend Pundit; 05-19-2023 at 03:49 PM. Reason: Corrected really bad grammar!