Don't feel bad, I tried to bring up USCG Marcomms webpage and it's
dead, too!

I called CG Group Charleston on 2182 Khz USB they're SUPPOSED to be
monitoring, according to the CG's own marcomms lists both with their
call letters and "CG Group Charleston" from Charleston Harbor to see
if they were listening. I got zero response, even after NMN in New
Orleans responded. They said they hadn't heard Charleston in a while
and gave me a good signal report from the insulated backstay/Icom M802
about 7PM EST.

Someone USCG will answer you, maybe not who you call,
though......dammit.



On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 15:59:25 -0500, "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

"Dick" wrote in message
...
Which is a better idea - ssb or satelite phone?


It depends on who you want to talk to. If you want to talk to the friends
that
you have met while cruising or the Coast Gaurd then SSB. If you want to
call
home then you can use the satelite phone or ham. If you are going to use
email
then ham or SSB are still good and they are cheaper so most cruisiers go
the
cheaper route. When and if satelite phones become cheap then more cruisers
while use them.

Dick




Larry W4CSC

NNNN

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

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 @

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

"Dick" wrote in message
...
Which is a better idea - ssb or satelite phone?


It depends on who you want to talk to. If you want to talk to the friends
that
you have met while cruising or the Coast Gaurd then SSB. If you want to
call
home then you can use the satelite phone or ham. If you are going to use
email
then ham or SSB are still good and they are cheaper so most cruisiers go
the
cheaper route. When and if satelite phones become cheap then more cruisers
while use them.

Dick

Depends on when you are heading for the high seas. If it is now or in the
next year or two, you are stuck with the cludgy system call HF (SSB). If you
are going in 5 years or more, satellite will be so widespread as to be a
reasonable alternative.

--
Dennis Gibbons
S/V Dark Lady
CN35-207
email: dennis dash gibbons at worldnet dot att dot net
"Andre Venter" wrote in message
...
Which is a better idea - ssb or satelite phone?

An SSB gets you daily nets where you can check in, get weather and
communicate with other cruisers. You can also get HF faxes, GRIB files, e-
mail, etc, etc. Emergency frequencies are monitored by various agencies.

A Sat phone allows you to make phone calls. Most other cruisers won't have
one or only use it for outgoing calls. Covergage can be spotty even in
areas where you're supposed to have coverage.

I have both and view them as complementary services. If I need to make a
call from in the middle of nowhere, I can. However, don't rely on a sat
phone in emergency situations. Just look at it as another card in your
hand.

If you're looking at one or the other, I'd get a SSB.

-- Geoff

"Andre Venter" wrote in news:U5ydnWr3K9KzYUSiU-
:

Which is a better idea - ssb or satelite phone?

On Fri, 12 Dec 2003 19:34:31 +0200, "Andre Venter"
wrote:

Which is a better idea - ssb or satelite phone?


Satellite phone is a better idea. SSB is nearly DEAD. Most of the
best shore stations, like WOM in Miami, are shut down, permanently. A
Satphone is like having a payphone right on your bridge.

The US Military has saved Iridium from the auction block. The best
deals for Iridium service seem to be from the UK, not the US. It's
still $1.99 per minute to CALL OUT. INCOMING CALLS ARE NOT CHARGED!
Just set a schedule to call YOU from shore....

Companies like:
http://www.worldcell.com/services/rentsatellite.aspx
will rent you service by the day/week/month if you're not going to be
a permanent customer. Older Iridium phones are available for $695,
but they're kinda clunky. The new Motorola phones are about $1500 and
are still LARGE and HEAVY because they have to talk to a satellite 500
miles away! It's not a toyphone cellular service.

Worldcell can also provide you with a LOCAL phone number in about 140
countries (different number in each, of course) and have a lot of neat
other features on their website. An 800 toll free to the phone is
$4.95/mo....a steal!!

No, I don't have one or want one and don't sell them, either.


Larry W4CSC

NNNN

SSB. It's free to use. You can do email etc.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Andre Venter" wrote in message
...
Which is a better idea - ssb or satelite phone?

Which is a better idea - ssb or satelite phone?


It depends on who you want to talk to. If you want to talk to the friends that
you have met while cruising or the Coast Gaurd then SSB. If you want to call
home then you can use the satelite phone or ham. If you are going to use email
then ham or SSB are still good and they are cheaper so most cruisiers go the
cheaper route. When and if satelite phones become cheap then more cruisers
while use them.

Dick