BajaNomad

VHF Radio Channel?

cneidhart - 10-25-2005 at 04:49 AM

What VHF radio Channel do the locals and/or Motels monitor in the Mulege area?
In San Carlos we all monitor 68. We use 16 for the Marina or emergency,

Thanks,
Chuck

Bob and Susan - 10-25-2005 at 05:40 AM

They use 16 then move...

Use you "scan" feature if you want "all the action"...

Lots of activity with this form of communication...but they ALL have silly names:lol:

capt. mike - 10-25-2005 at 05:51 AM

ok here's the deal. i just joined on the local "net" this past weekend. 1st time (my radio was broken, just fixed). i went on as ......who else, capt. mike!

all the boats use 22.
at about 9 each morning some local that's in charge of the local yappers around the parks on the rio gets on 22 and announces that the net will open in 10 min and for all to go to channel 21. then they do chit chat, announcements, weather, fish report, it's kinda like being in mayberry rfd and a party line.

but fun, try it.

VHF Radio usage

Jack Swords - 10-25-2005 at 08:31 AM

Usage of the VHF FM channels is very common in Baja, but please be aware that these channels are used by the Navy, immigration, Pemex, and Port Captains, and, importantly, for distress calls by boats. In La Paz and many areas, channel 22 is the hailing channel. Everybody monitors this channel. When you make contact with someone on Ch 22, then switch to another unused channel so others can use the hailing channel and not have to listen to your conversation. Channels 24 thru 28 are duplex only and require a special radio, so don't move to these channels, it won't work. Ch 14 is reserved for Port Captains, Ch 9 is Pemex, Ch 10 and 11 are Navy, Ch 74 is Ferry business, Ch 83 is immigration, and Ch 88 is Aduana. Obviously you wouldn't want to block communications with Aduana or the others. Channel 16 is an international calling frequency for ships, monitored by the Navy and Port Captains and commercial shipping. This leaves many channels to switch to to enjoy your radio contact without interference to others. There is also a marked difference in signal strength between the lower channels (like 5) and the higher ones (like 68). If you lose contact try going up or down in frequency. These are not private conversations and everybody will know your business. Kinda like a party line.

Jack Swords, s/v La Paloma, N1IY

Thanks for this, Jack

Hook - 10-25-2005 at 09:10 AM

Very informative on the working ~s in Mexico.

BTW, I have noticed that channel 88 is often a continuous carrier signal in many areas in Baja that I have gone. It plays havoc with an overall scan and forces me into a memory scan. Anyone else notice this??

cneidhart - 10-26-2005 at 06:53 AM

Thanks Jack, That's the info I was looking for. I will keep that handy at the helm and I'll email it to our other boats. Quite a bit different then San Carlos (except for Navy).

cneidhart - 10-26-2005 at 07:15 AM

Wait what is "Adunana" CH 88. I don't know that.

rpleger - 10-26-2005 at 07:19 AM

Adunana = Customs

vandenberg - 10-26-2005 at 07:20 AM

Aduana


Customs

cneidhart - 10-26-2005 at 07:22 AM

OK, I just checked the Mexico - Spanish book and I really started to laugh. Here is what they say;

aduana (noun, fem.) hoarhouse note Also means "customs station". (Mexican slang)

I thought Jack was pulling one on me!

Thanks again,
Chuc

Aduanas

MrBillM - 10-26-2005 at 09:10 AM

In both circumstances, you end up being screwed, but at least in the one, you enjoy it.

wornout - 10-26-2005 at 07:38 PM

San Felipe Area: The Americans in the area use channel 69 south of town and channel 74 north of town, as hailing freq's. Channel 16 is the same as everywhere else and we stay off of it. If you are off road in this area, try channel 11, you might just get us in the dune buggies.