Just received radios, now Q's

So, in our effort to gear up for salt water fishing we just got our radios (Standard Horizon HX290) and PFD knives. The radios are being charged right now and I have been reviewing old threads regarding radio communications. I have gathered that Channel 16 is for monitoring like maybe ships and Coast Guard and 69 is for communication between boats and kayaks. I didn't know until now that these radios are for "water areas only" and other references for big fines for using them on land and inland waterways.    What's the score here? I also saw people suggesting using channel 69 for a bass tournament on the Columbia. So, what is legal and what is done out there in the real world? Anyone ever get a $10,000 fine or do you use them only in the ocean?

I cant speak on regs and fines but to my knowledge channel 69 is mostly for us fishing from kayaks.

Technically speaking their use is limited to "navigable waterways" only. Radios are an aid to navigation, don't step on maritime communications traffic.

CH 16 - Coast Guard announcements, vessel in distress, general calls/hailing) always monitor/scan 16.

CH 69 & 71 - Recreational channels

CH 80 - Depoe Bay traffic

Ling Banger has it right.  I don't know about a fine, but people will tell you to get off the commercial channel over the radio if you use it.

I'm not familiar with your model, but I know some radios display the type of channel when it is selected... Recreational, commercial, weather, ect.  A lot of us use 69 while kayak fishing, but it is not a "kayaking channel".

What about the location , though? Would you use a marine radio in a lake in the high Cascades, upper Willamette, or Siletz River for example? Those places are "navigable" for boating purposes but I got the impression maybe not for using marine frequencies. I'm just trying to figure this out and be all legal. Thanks.

Think of channel 16 as "air traffic control" for the water.  Listen, but on a kayak you will probably never need to transmit on that channel.

I believe navigable waters are defined as: Waters that provide a channel for commerce and transportation of people and goods.

My guess is using the radios on a mountain lake is not going to be an issue.

C-Run,  rather than try and give you bits and pieces of what is right, wrong, legal or not legal use of the VHF radio I would merely suggest that you take some quality time reading up on the details from any or all of  these sites that cover VHF radio protocol.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtBoater

http://www.ct.gov/dEEP/cwp/view.asp?a=2686&q=322316&Nav_GID=1620

http://www.boatus.org/guide/equipment_19.html

http://www.offshoreblue.com/communications/marine-radio.php

Thank you, everyone. I will study those links, INSAYN. We hope to be making our first salt water excursion in the next month or so.