Keith, check out the excellent and FREE BOOK by noted radio "instructor"
Gordon West, on Icom's website as a multiple chapter .pdf document. Is
worth downloading, printing up and placing in your new Commo Binder aboard
the boat (you HAVE a Commo Binder.....right???) It's where you put all of
those nifty downloads from the USCG NAVCEN in too!

Point your browser toward www.icomamerica.com go to downloads, agree to the
copyright stuff, and click on misc. .pdf files and you will find "Marine
HF-SSB Simplified." One of the best books for new maritime HF-SSB operators
you will find anywhere. It WILL answer as many of the questions you have,
and leave you with quite a few more....but the guys here on this group can
help with those...

Another ONLINE read that's worth a look (although it has a bit of
advertisement mixed in) are the pages of www.hfradio.com
This site good for the various commercial (you PAY for it) data / e-mail
stuff that's out there.

Larry may have mentioned this....but to get the MOST utility from a HF/SSB
installation on a boat, and, if you intend to cruise offshore, I would
STRONGLY recommend that you become a licensed amateur radio (ham) operator.
It's not that difficult, you will learn some ESSENTIAL information about the
technical side of radio communications, and you will meet MANY very nice
people with the same interests as you......like......ME for example! E-mail
service through Amateur radio stations worldwide do cost a few bux, but are
WAY cheaper. You are about 100 times more likely to contact a HAM station
in a true emergency offshore, than ANY commercial or Coast Guard HF station.
While it is indeed legal to yell for help on the ham frequencies (if you are
not a licensed ham,) it sure is helpful if you know where to look and whom
you may find there!

Enjoy your new HF station!
Joe

"Keith" wrote in message
...
Hehehe! Thanks for all the info. I've already been through that minefield,
have my CORES number, Ships station license and restricted radiotelephone
operator's permit. All of these require only a fee and you have to prove
your ability to navigate endless government bureaucracy. I think I sent
the
application for the RTOP in three times before they liked it.

--


Keith
__
Slogan of 105.9, the classic rock radio station in Chicago: "Of all the
radio stations in Chicago...we're one of them."
"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
I just found you some more information on the current state of the
FCC's online system. Go read:
http://www.w5yi.org/Sep%2015%202001.htm

The FCC ULS/CORES/TIN/FRN system is a mess. FCC is helping IRS track
down its tax cheats, non-filers, which is what the FRN is all about.

Good luck. You're gonna need it!

Larry W4CSC/MM2 (soon I hope!)