Do You Monitor VHF Channel 16?

[Auspicious]

Adam -

Auspicious is 367107910  and my Group ID is  036710791

[Godot]

Adam -

Auspicious is 367107910  and my Group ID is  036710791

Mine is: 367575150

What do you use the group ID for? I know several boats can have that programed in in order to have everyone switch to a working frequency together, I'm just wondering who else would be in the group.

[Kettlewell]

I monitor 16 most of the time while underway, and I have heard and responded to emergency situations several times. Off hand I can recall locating one small boat that was shooting off flares and calling May Day because they ran out of gas, and twice receiving May Day calls from sinking vessels that were nearby--in both situations other boats were able to get there quicker than myself--one sunk and the other was saved with some quick work. I've also been involved in several relays where boats were in trouble but out of radio range of help. So, there is the possibility that your assistance might be needed, but I will admit that on a busy weekend day in say Buzzards Bay the chatter gets very annoying and I sometimes turn the radio off while sailing just to enjoy some peace and quiet. At those times I figure there are so many boats around that someone is bound to hear any call for assistance. Nobody I know uses DSC and I have never heard a legitimate DSC alert--just lots of false alarms that are very loud and unpleasant!