Hi Jack,

I see that in the frequency list that it says: "The Coast Guard does
NOT monitor GMDSS radiotelephone or radiotelex channels."

I have heard several people say that they have never been able to
raise the Coast guard on any of those frequencies. Even though they
elude to the fact that they monitor them at the top of the page.

Awhile back I saw something on the Coast guard site that said "you may
need to make repeated calls for lengthy time" in order to raise them.

Are you saying that these channels are monitored?

Thanks
Gary


On Mon, 10 May 2004 18:35:20 -0400, "Jack Painter"
wrote:

"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
Hummm. Last time needed help and was out of VHF range I was
never able to raise any USCG station on marine SSB. When I did
finally get within range of a VHF CG station (very poor signal). I asked
if I could switch to an SSB frequency for better communications. I was
told that USCG no longer monitored Marine SSB, so it was poor
VHF or nothing. A few comments below.

Doug
s/v Callista

Doug,

I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience with USCG communications. HF
propagation is, as you know better than most, is never a sure thing,
especially from long distance, low power, solar activity and other
interference. But we do the very best possible 24/7 to maintain the best HF
coverage of any agency in the world from the USCG communication stations.

When the T/V Bow Mariner exploded and sank, they put out one Mayday on 2182
USB.
Four USCG Groups from Newport RI to Charleston SC answered it almost
simulataneously. It has been and continues to be monitored at every USCG
Group. CAMSLANT CHEASPEAKE (Virginia), where I work, monitors several listed
SSB maritime band guard frequencies and will assist any mariner on them (We
do not monitor 2182, Groups do that). CAMSPAC PT REYES in California does
the same for Pacific traffic. If you made a call on one of those guarded
frequencies, and you believe your radio worked, and it was not answered, you
should make a report to the USCG about it. If a mariner cannot obtain good
copy from one of the many guarded SSB maritime channels, I sure don't know
why the odds would be better on a circuit they are not authorized to use
_except in an emergency_, as they would not know the times guarded,
direction or location antennas pointed, etc. If you are authorized to modify
a radio, I'm sure you would try that route, but it is not legal advice to
give to the general boating public, including commercial craft to modify or
illegally operate SSB radios. Tracking down abuse from commercial fishermen
is easier than some might think, and when they operate on government
curcuits they are prosecuted.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/default.htm has all the information
about maritime SSB guard frequencies and other means of communications for
emergencies at sea.

As to why the license which is good for ten years to life, depending on
class and type, could cost $150, that's not something we can do anything
about, unless you think your Congressman would lobby the FCC to change it.

Hope this was some help,

73's

Jack Painter
USCG Auxiliary
Virginia Beach, Va


"Jack Painter" wrote in message
news:gkDnc.34930$pJ1.10709@lakeread02...
Hi Doug,

Yes I'm aware that a licensed Amateur Radio operator can build and
modify
equipment with the proper class license.

I beleive any license class is acceptable.

We rely on your expertise and
abilities in communication emergencies. I am the Emergency Readiness
Coordinator for the USCG Auxiliary Division 5, Port of Hampton Roads,
Va,
and we utilize all available agencies and volunteers in an emergency.
What
is bad practice though, is to encourage anyone to modify communications
equipment which as you know, is permitted only under very limited
circumstances and could not therefore be acceptable for general use in
emergency communications. If you can't do it legally, can't test it,
can't
tune it, and can't practice with it, you shouldn't have been encouraged
to
consider such equipment as part of your planning for emergencies.

There are several ham rigs on the market now that are type accepted for
marine SSB use. The mods are legal and operating them on the marine
SSB frequencies is legal. The SGC SG-2000 was the first one to be
granted type acceptance, but I'm pretty sure that several others are
now accepted.

Responsible sailors can easily get a license for SSB marine operations

So can irresponsible sailors. If they want to encourage sailors to get
the license, why charge $150 for it?

and
learn how to contact the USCG and other monitoring agencies, including
commercial and volunteer watchstanders on authorized SSB marine bands. I
work in this field for USCG HF communications, and we are happy to
provide
assistance to boaters in this matter.

Well as I said earlier, the only time I was in an emergency situation, I
got
absolutely nowhere with marine SSB.

Best regards,

Jack Painter
Virginia Beach, Va


"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
Fortunately, ham radio is not under the same rules as marine
SSB when it comes to modifications. Type accepted marine gear cannot
be modified but ham gear can. I can build my own rig if I want to
and I am not violating any law unless have emmisions that are in
violation to those specified (freq, spurious radiation, harmonics,
etc).
In other words, I can't violate the law unless I transmit.
If you look closer at the rules, all rules are suspended in an
emergency.
So transmitting on a modified rig is not illegal in an emergency.

As far as having a cheap rig on board, that is a personal choice. I
have
cruised with many that don't have an SSB.

Doug (That is my real name)
s/v Callista

"Jack Painter" wrote in message
news:fgCnc.34527$pJ1.28623@lakeread02...
Gee, how do you really feel about it? Nice language. Those of us
whose
parents were married don't talk that way. And we don't hide behind
phony
internet ID's.

Anyone thinking about unauthorized mods to a SSB radio can write me
and
I
will be glad to find a local representative in your area where you
can
have
the law explained to you in person.

"master" try to teach his only mate, a totally inexperienced
girl,
how
to
raise the mainsail while he headed them out into 10' rollers in a
25kt
NE

That's poor judgement, and good sailors have no problem
understanding
this.

Jack Painter
Virginia Beach, VA

"santacruz" wrote in message
...
I'm not normally rude to ****heads like you - but you're not
answering
his question. You must be another ****ing Bush Republican.

It is perfectly legal to modify ham radios so they can transmit on
marine SSB freq's in an emergency.

Go ask your Mother - she'll confirm this.

BTW - 25 knots and 10 ft seas in a 38' boat is just exciting
sailing.
We get that frequently between Long Beach and Catalina - and it's
great fast sailing.




On Sun, 9 May 2004 01:13:45 -0400, "Jack Painter"

wrote:

"Eric" wrote in message
. com...
I am looking for an inexpensive tranceiver for my sailboat.I am
rapidly running out of money and need a cheap reliable rig.I
have
just
insulated my backstay(37 feet).aAny ideas? Thanks,Eric.

Eric,

Your somewhat typical request elcited somewhat typical replies so
far.

Maybe it's helpful to you to get an answer to that question, but
I
think
you're attitude is likely to cost someone's life, probably your
own.
If
you
really think getting a "cheap reliable rig" as you are now
"rapidly
running
out of money" is the acceptable order of things before an
offshore
excursion, you are an accident waiting to happen. Well meaning
but
improper
advice from the group comes complete with telling you it's easy
to
break
the
law, and encouraging you to do so. These legal eagles really
believe
that
so
long as you later have an emergency (assured in your case Eric),
you
didn't
break any law. They are wrong, as are your priorities. Instead of
compounding your mistakes with their bad advice, your whole
sailing
experience would be more enjoyable and safer if you would learn
some
simple
safe boating practices. Then you would be more likely to prevent
the
need
for cheap radios you are not licensed or trained to use, as well
as
understand the fallacy of advice to believe in illegal operation
as
a
saving
grace to other inadequacies.

I recommend you take some seamanship, communications and other
safe
boating
courses offered by the United States Power Squadrons and United
States
Coast
Guard Auxiliary via your nearest marina or boating center. Then
you
could
be
safely enjoying the water and able to help others do the same
instead
of
learning to break the law and operating recklessly from a vessel
and
crew
of
uncertain capabilities. Like the 38' sloop we saw today -
watching
her
"master" try to teach his only mate, a totally inexperienced
girl,
how
to
raise the mainsail while he headed them out into 10' rollers in a
25kt
NE
under small craft warnings this morning. I wonder if he was
confident
that
his illegally modifed "cheap" SSB radio could have raised us. It
would
fit
the bill.

Sincerely,

Jack Painter
USCG Auxiliary
Virginia Beach, Va