"aieo" wrote in :

Is there a (number) of channels where it is acceptable to simply carry
on a casual "chat" with other boats?




No, there isn't. You're not supposed to sit and chat, even on 68, 69, 71
and 72. You're supposed to call, pass your traffic and get the hell off
so someone else can use it.

We use cellular and FRS, Family Radio Service walkie talkies on 462 Mhz
UHF-FM for chit chat. No rules, no Coast Guard or marinas bitching at
you. Limited in range to let the maximum number use its 14 channels, you
hardly ever hear anyone else but your group. For rafting up near the
beach, interboat comms at the marina, boat to shore party comms up to a
mile or so away (like across the big boatyard), nothing else compares,
especially since really nice FRS walkies are so cheap! Waste Marine sold
me 4 Standard Radio WATERPROOF FRS "marine" units for $20 each when the
boaters didn't buy them. They work great, even when wet.

Plan on $50/pair. Don't buy Uniden's overpriced marine VHF/FRS multiband
unit at 10 times the price. That's crazy. FRS radios are made to TOSS.
I also will tell you to buy ALKALINE battery models, not rechargeables.
Alkaline batteries run about 3 times as long as the cheap NiCds they put
in them and you'll never get to recharge them on a boat. Just swap
Alkalines and you're ready to go...much easier.

Larry
--
We use Channel 10 so if you hear a bunch of drunks farting on Channel 10
on Saturday night, it means the party is going well...(c;
BYOB and FRS walkie to fart into....thanks.