VHF Radio
VHF radios are widely used throughout the islands, as they are portable, and quite reliable. Most houses and boats are equipped with VHF radios, and many people carry portable radios so they can be reached whenever they are needed. Channel 16 is used ONLY as a calling channel. After establishing contact, you MUST switch to a working channel. Channel 68 is also used as a calling channel for cruisers. Please do not switch to the following channels, as they are reserved.
Channel 06 – Taxis
Channel 16 – Calling Channel / Emergencies
Channel 22A – BASRA (Bahamas Air Sea Rescue)
Channel 68 – Calling Channel
Channel 72 – Hope Town Fire Rescue (call on 16)
Channel 80 – Marsh Harbour Emergency Services
Every morning at 8:15 , “Cruiser's Net" meets on channel 68 and broadcasts the weather, news, local events, and much more. "Cruiser's Net" can also be heard online, after 9:20am each morning, on the Out Island Internet website.
Cell Phones in Abaco
There are several foreign cell phone providers who have teamed up with BTC (Bahamas Telecommunications Company) to provide visitors with GSM cell phone service. Although it may be convenient, it shouldn’t be relied on. Many cell phones will not work, and for those that do, it is often quite pricey, and reception can often be a problem. According to BTC, some of their GSM Roaming partners from the USA are: Cingular, AT&T, T Mobile, and Sprint. GSM roaming partners for Canada are: Rogers and Microcell. For a complete listing of all GSM roaming partners around the world, please visit BTC's website.
Internet in Abaco
Some rental houses are equipped with high-speed internet, but for those people who are within proximity of an access point, or staying on a boat, wireless internet is available. Visitors, who bring their laptop computers, can sign up for wireless internet online with Out Island Internet, and have access for hours, days, weeks, months, or even a year. For more information, please visit the Out Island Internet website.
| TIP | When out in a boat, it is a good idea to carry a VHF radio in addition to a cell phone. Cell phones may lose signal in remote areas, while there is almost always a person within range to hear a call on the VHF radio. |
