As I commented earlier, Its common around here to hear CG transmission form 100 miles
away, sometimes even further. I assumed this was due to the very high power plus
atmospheric ducting.

Today I asked a friend who's an ex-Coastie about this - He said that the CG rents space in
the highest towers (the Hancock Tower in Boston) but also has repeaters up and down the
coast. High towers in Gloucester and Plymouth serve as repeaters for Boston; similar
repeater are setup for other stations.

Thus, when you hear Key West CG, you might actually be listening to a broadcast from Key
Largo.



"Simple Simon" wrote in message
...
As usual . . .

Bobsprit lied. His antenna simply isn't high enough to get out forty miles.

I can receive Coast Guard transmissions from Group Key West - 90 miles,
Group Miami - 80 miles. This huge range is because their antennas are about
five hundred feet high. It wouldn't surprise me either if their transmission power
is higher than 25 watts.

S.Simon

"Wally" wrote in message
...
Bobsprit claims to have made a VHF transmission of over 40nm. Given that his
antenna height is about 50 feet, that would require, for a line of sight
transmission, that the other antenna be about 800 - eight hundred - feet
above the water.

I believe that 40 miles is too close for skip, so could his transmission
have a 'terrain following' effect in the sense that the sea might act as a
ground plane?

Would anyone care to comment on the veracity of Bobsprit's claim?


--
Wally
www.makearatherlonglinkthattakesyounowhere.com
Things are always clearer in the cold, post-upload light.