In article ,
"doug dotson" wrote:

The CG's handling of SSB is a bit unclear to me. We were in a situation
where
VHF contact was marginal. I asked the CG if I could contact them via SSB and
they said no, they did not support SSB frequencies.

Doug, k3qt
s/v Callista

This is exactly right. USCG is in the process of getting it's GMDSS
system...FUNDED. They are about three years behind EU, and way behind
what they originally promised. USCG does maintain a listening watch
at a few COMMSTA's, but not on ALL of them and on different frequencies
than one might expect. USCG Kodiak DOES watch 4125.0Khz 24/7, and I
think USCG Frisco does as well. COMMSTA Juneau does have MF/HF
capability thru Yakatat but it is broke more than operational mostly
and they keep no watch at all on MF/HF. If your in trouble and beyond
VHF coverage, your best option is light off the 406 EPIRB, and wait for
the USCG Chopper to arrive.

Bruce in alaska
--
add a 2 before @

In article ,
(Mike Cobbe) wrote:

How odd. It seems the US CG only monitors the SSB DSC frequencies, not
voice or telex. However, since they have to respond to SSB DSC, eventually
with voice, they must have the voice kit. Surely they would be in breach
of the GMDSS rules if they didn't?

The USCG doesn't even have FUNDING for GMDSS Sites yet, let alone
coastal coverage. They do have some TEST Sites up and running but
nothing close to the total system. EU is a very different deal, as they
are very effective with their GMDSS coverage.

Bruce in alaska
--
add a 2 before @

In article ,
(Mike Cobbe) wrote:

How odd. It seems the US CG only monitors the SSB DSC frequencies, not
voice or telex. However, since they have to respond to SSB DSC, eventually
with voice, they must have the voice kit. Surely they would be in breach
of the GMDSS rules if they didn't?

The USCG doesn't even have FUNDING for GMDSS Sites yet, let alone
coastal coverage. They do have some TEST Sites up and running but
nothing close to the total system. EU is a very different deal, as they
are very effective with their GMDSS coverage.

Bruce in alaska
--
add a 2 before @

But they have hundreds of thousands of dollars for a new front gate on
Tradd Street in Charleston, or tennis courts.....even though they
never replaced the ANTENNA TOWER Hurricane HUGO tore down in 1989 so
they could hear you on their antique VHF radios whos modulation is so
low you must turn your volume up full to hear any broadcasts.

It's a matter of CG priorities, not lack of funding.



On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 23:11:16 GMT, Bruce in Alaska
wrote:

In article ,
"doug dotson" wrote:

The CG's handling of SSB is a bit unclear to me. We were in a situation
where
VHF contact was marginal. I asked the CG if I could contact them via SSB and
they said no, they did not support SSB frequencies.

Doug, k3qt
s/v Callista

This is exactly right. USCG is in the process of getting it's GMDSS
system...FUNDED. They are about three years behind EU, and way behind
what they originally promised. USCG does maintain a listening watch
at a few COMMSTA's, but not on ALL of them and on different frequencies
than one might expect. USCG Kodiak DOES watch 4125.0Khz 24/7, and I
think USCG Frisco does as well. COMMSTA Juneau does have MF/HF
capability thru Yakatat but it is broke more than operational mostly
and they keep no watch at all on MF/HF. If your in trouble and beyond
VHF coverage, your best option is light off the 406 EPIRB, and wait for
the USCG Chopper to arrive.

Bruce in alaska
--
add a 2 before @

Larry W4CSC

NNNN

But they have hundreds of thousands of dollars for a new front gate on
Tradd Street in Charleston, or tennis courts.....even though they
never replaced the ANTENNA TOWER Hurricane HUGO tore down in 1989 so
they could hear you on their antique VHF radios whos modulation is so
low you must turn your volume up full to hear any broadcasts.

It's a matter of CG priorities, not lack of funding.



On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 23:11:16 GMT, Bruce in Alaska
wrote:

In article ,
"doug dotson" wrote:

The CG's handling of SSB is a bit unclear to me. We were in a situation
where
VHF contact was marginal. I asked the CG if I could contact them via SSB and
they said no, they did not support SSB frequencies.

Doug, k3qt
s/v Callista

This is exactly right. USCG is in the process of getting it's GMDSS
system...FUNDED. They are about three years behind EU, and way behind
what they originally promised. USCG does maintain a listening watch
at a few COMMSTA's, but not on ALL of them and on different frequencies
than one might expect. USCG Kodiak DOES watch 4125.0Khz 24/7, and I
think USCG Frisco does as well. COMMSTA Juneau does have MF/HF
capability thru Yakatat but it is broke more than operational mostly
and they keep no watch at all on MF/HF. If your in trouble and beyond
VHF coverage, your best option is light off the 406 EPIRB, and wait for
the USCG Chopper to arrive.

Bruce in alaska
--
add a 2 before @

Larry W4CSC

NNNN

The USCG doesn't even have FUNDING for GMDSS Sites

Which makes it even odder that they don't respond to voice on 2182. It's
only because of GMDSS that the CG is ceasing listening watch on 2182 and
Ch16 - if they are not GMDSS compliant they should still be listening
(and responding).

Mike

The USCG doesn't even have FUNDING for GMDSS Sites

Which makes it even odder that they don't respond to voice on 2182. It's
only because of GMDSS that the CG is ceasing listening watch on 2182 and
Ch16 - if they are not GMDSS compliant they should still be listening
(and responding).

Mike

x-no-archive:yes



(Larry W4CSC) wrote:

Here in Charleston, where the boys died on the S/V "Morning Dew", one
only needs to mention calling the MEDIA to get a response.....(c;


Actually, while I was in Charleston, they brought in a guy who'd been
working on a DNR boat and had a heart attack. The DNR boat (which was
about 45 minutes out) called the CG and the CG refused to send a helo.
So he was dead when they brought him in. (I got the part about the CG
refusing to send a helo from the Patriot's Point dockmaster
(Charleston Harbor Marina) - I was in the office downloading email at
the time that it happened. So I don't know about media getting a
response or else no one played that card.

Incidentally you can have free internet access in that marina via a
wireless network.

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 18:15 +0000 (GMT Standard Time),
(Mike Cobbe) wrote:


asked the CG if I could contact them via SSB and
they said no, they did not support SSB frequencies.

How odd. It seems the US CG only monitors the SSB DSC frequencies, not
voice or telex. However, since they have to respond to SSB DSC, eventually
with voice, they must have the voice kit. Surely they would be in breach
of the GMDSS rules if they didn't?

Plan B is mention 'drugs shipment' on 2182 - that should get a
response...couple of cutters, frigate, helicopter carrier ;-))

Mike

Larry W4CSC

NNNN

grandma Rosalie

x-no-archive:yes



(Larry W4CSC) wrote:

Here in Charleston, where the boys died on the S/V "Morning Dew", one
only needs to mention calling the MEDIA to get a response.....(c;


Actually, while I was in Charleston, they brought in a guy who'd been
working on a DNR boat and had a heart attack. The DNR boat (which was
about 45 minutes out) called the CG and the CG refused to send a helo.
So he was dead when they brought him in. (I got the part about the CG
refusing to send a helo from the Patriot's Point dockmaster
(Charleston Harbor Marina) - I was in the office downloading email at
the time that it happened. So I don't know about media getting a
response or else no one played that card.

Incidentally you can have free internet access in that marina via a
wireless network.

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 18:15 +0000 (GMT Standard Time),
(Mike Cobbe) wrote:


asked the CG if I could contact them via SSB and
they said no, they did not support SSB frequencies.

How odd. It seems the US CG only monitors the SSB DSC frequencies, not
voice or telex. However, since they have to respond to SSB DSC, eventually
with voice, they must have the voice kit. Surely they would be in breach
of the GMDSS rules if they didn't?

Plan B is mention 'drugs shipment' on 2182 - that should get a
response...couple of cutters, frigate, helicopter carrier ;-))

Mike

Larry W4CSC

NNNN

grandma Rosalie