Gary Schafer wrote in
:

Hi Jack,

I am still confused. At the top of the page on your link it says:
"HF Distress and Safety Watchkeeping Schedule - last updated 17 Feb
2004
HF RADIOTELEPHONE (SINGLE SIDEBAND) - Contact and Long Range
Liaison"

Aren't they implying that these frequencies are monitored at all times
as listed?

So are you saying that if I were to call the coast guard on voice on
6200 or 8240 from the East coast, that I would immediately get a
reply?

These are the frequencies that people have told me that they can not
raise the coast guard on after many many calls.

Thanks
Gary


Gary, what people don't understand is that the shore stations have MANY
receivers, all monitoring like it says, BUT, there are a limited number of
TRANSMITTERS available for the operators to reply with. I used to work for
a CG contractor traveling around for EIL Instruments repairing and
calibrating test equipment. I watched the operations at a few major
stations, like New Orleans, while I was there. Sometimes the demand for
transmitters exceeded CG's ability to provide them. So, calls were being
HEARD, but had to go unanswered due to lack of equipment. This problem has
been going on at CG stations for many years. Money needed to buy more gear
is diverted to buy new gates, bureaucracies and pretty stuff for the brass.

Larry W4CSC