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need inexpensive marine ssb and ham radio for cruising sailboat.
See Below.
Doug s/v Callista "Jack Painter" wrote in message news:9FVnc.35337$pJ1.22538@lakeread02... "Doug Dotson" wrote in message ... My solution to my situation was to send an email to a friend who then called Vessel Assist. Assistance was there 45 minutes later. This is after trying for 2 hours to raise the CG or CGA just to be told that they would talk to me on SSB. Yep, that's unsat. But it would have helped to pursue it at the time, as I think you would have received an apology and explanation at the time. I wouldn't make the generalization that that bad experience certainly deserved for it's event. What is "unsat"? I suppose I am just venting my frustration at my one and only experience where I needed help. A few comments below. answered below Doug s/v Callista "Jack Painter" wrote in message news:JsTnc.35319$pJ1.1691@lakeread02... "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. I'm aware of propagation issues. My dissapointment was when I finally got tenuous VHF contact with the CG and asked if there was an SSB freq I could contact them on, they said NO. They did not support SSB. My distance at that time was maybe 30 miles just off the coast of Jupiter Inlet. Covered above, but since you gave specifics I can inquire as far as current capability goes. When the T/V Bow Mariner exploded and sank, they put out one Mayday on 2182 USB. They were lucky. I tried to call the CG on 2182 when I couldn't raise them on VHF. No answer. Four instant replies not usually considered "luck"! I happened to be on watch that evening. I can't really respond to that. I supose that everyone was sleeping at 4AM 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. Right, filing a report will make everything work. How about if I file a report about the ICW shoaling up That is funny. But, I never stopped writing my Congressmen when I joined the Navy, and I haven't stopped now. The difference is, twenty years later, now I know them all pretty well. And I thought Sen. Byrd was old Here in the Peoples Republic of Maryland, our congressmen don't respond well to their constituents. That is unless it is related to keeping Government contractors employeed or the union vote on their side. 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. Well, if I can't raise anyone on the channels the are "guarded", then I should just pack it in and give up rather than try using another channel that may be illegal in a non-emergency situation. So if I can't get help from USCG or USCGA then I should just drift along. 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. Now that is precious. Since when is it illegal to advise someone. It is only illegal when someone violates the law. And as I said earlier, many ham rigs are type accepted for marine SSB use. I have the Rules and Regs here. Please advise me on where it says that giving advise is illegal. Well Doug, I'm probably being a little more cautious than you are, but some and I'm sure you are one, would understand that even if giving advice to commit an act that might be illegal for a large class of people "might" not result in prosecution of the [sic] free advice giver, it could nonetheless get you in a lot of trouble via various civil and social remedies. If however it was a professional paid opinion, or even free advice from a professional who knows or should no better, to advise on accomplishing or carrying out an illegal act may certainly be a punishable offense. Since you clearly know the law pretty well, and are a licensed Radio Operartor for both Marine and Amateur, you see my point. My point is that in an emergency, THERE ARE NO LAWS when it comes to use of the radio when trying to obtain help. Now, there is a gray area in exactly what constitutes an "emergency". When I was an actively flying pilot, one could declare an emergency if they personally felt they were in trouble. They may not have actually been in as much trouble as they may have thought, but it is the pilot's judgement. Of course, a report had to be filed after the fact and some amount of review was done to determine if the declaration was valid. Very rarely was a pilot called to task. I suspect the same sort of scheme is in place for nautical vessels as well. As I have said before, many if not most ham rigs are now type accepted for marine SSB use. No illegal mods, no illegal operation. Older equipment is different, so those using older modified rigs are probably aware of the risk (although none really exists). Best, Jack 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. I'll check it out. As to why the license which is good for ten years to life, depending on class and type, could cost $150, that's not something we can do anything about, unless you think your Congressman would lobby the FCC to change it. It's not good for 10 years to life. It is good for 10 years period. Although the yearly rate is fair, the lump sum up front cost turns many off and so they just don't bother to get it. FCC licensing is inconsistent at best. I didn't have to pay a penny to get any of my ham licenses, my GROL, or GMDSS/M, but I have to pay for a ship's station license. Go figure. Hope this was some help, 73's Jack Painter USCG Auxiliary Virginia Beach, Va "Jack Painter" wrote in message news:gkDnc.34930$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 |
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need inexpensive marine ssb and ham radio for cruising sailboat.
"Doug Dotson" wrote in message ... My solution to my situation was to send an email to a friend who then called Vessel Assist. Assistance was there 45 minutes later. This is after trying for 2 hours to raise the CG or CGA just to be told that they would talk to me on SSB. Yep, that's unsat. But it would have helped to pursue it at the time, as I think you would have received an apology and explanation at the time. I wouldn't make the generalization that that bad experience certainly deserved for it's event. What is "unsat"? I suppose I am just venting my frustration at my one and only experience where I needed help. Sorry, it means "Unsatisifactory" (performance). My point is that in an emergency, THERE ARE NO LAWS when it comes to use of the radio when trying to obtain help. Now, there is a gray area in exactly what constitutes an "emergency". When I was an actively flying pilot, one could declare an emergency if they personally felt they were in trouble. They may not have actually been in as much trouble as they may have thought, but it is the pilot's judgement. Of course, a report had to be filed after the fact and some amount of review was done to determine if the declaration was valid. Very rarely was a pilot called to task. I suspect the same sort of scheme is in place for nautical vessels as well. Doug, we never disagreed there in the least. My comments were about an act related to the preplanning for an emergency that does not exist at the time. Best, Jack |
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need inexpensive marine ssb and ham radio for cruising sailboat.
"Doug Dotson" wrote in message ... Yep, that's unsat. But it would have helped to pursue it at the time, as I think you would have received an apology and explanation at the time. I wouldn't make the generalization that that bad experience certainly deserved for it's event. What is "unsat"? I suppose I am just venting my frustration at my one and only experience where I needed help. Sorry, unsat = Unstatisfactory (performance). My point is that in an emergency, THERE ARE NO LAWS when it comes to use of the radio when trying to obtain help. Now, there is a gray area in exactly what constitutes an "emergency". When I was an actively flying pilot, one could declare an emergency if they personally felt they were in trouble. They may not have actually been in as much trouble as they may have thought, but it is the pilot's judgement. Of course, a report had to be filed after the fact and some amount of review was done to determine if the declaration was valid. Very rarely was a pilot called to task. I suspect the same sort of scheme is in place for nautical vessels as well. Doug, we never disagreed on that at all. My comments were about the an act that involved presumption of a future, non-existent emergency. Best, Jack |
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need inexpensive marine ssb and ham radio for cruising sailboat.
Doug, we never disagreed on that at all. My comments were about the an act
that involved presumption of a future, non-existent emergency. You have really lost me now. I prefer to base my plans on a future possability of a very real emergency. I am very glad I am a ham. The safety it affords me is far greater than any provided by the CG or CGA with regard to contacting someone to dispatch help. Once the CG is contacted then their assistence is some of the best in the world. Close to shore, the towing services are excellent. In my case, I sent an email via Winlink to a station in Dallas, that message was forwarded to my friend in Baltimore who called Vessel Assist. 30 minutes later I was contacted on VHF that they were in-transit, 15 or 30 minutes later they were there. That's hard to beat. Best, Jack |
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need inexpensive marine ssb and ham radio for cruising sailboat.
Doug, let's drop the semantics. Something you plan for in case it happens in
the future is imaginary, it is not real and it does not exist, no matter how well you pretend it is. Of course we plan for emergencies, but when you advise the general public to commit an act on the presumption that something will happen in the future to make it legal, you're too far out on a limb for me. Jack "Doug Dotson" wrote in message ... Doug, we never disagreed on that at all. My comments were about the an act that involved presumption of a future, non-existent emergency. You have really lost me now. I prefer to base my plans on a future possability of a very real emergency. I am very glad I am a ham. The safety it affords me is far greater than any provided by the CG or CGA with regard to contacting someone to dispatch help. Once the CG is contacted then their assistence is some of the best in the world. Close to shore, the towing services are excellent. In my case, I sent an email via Winlink to a station in Dallas, that message was forwarded to my friend in Baltimore who called Vessel Assist. 30 minutes later I was contacted on VHF that they were in-transit, 15 or 30 minutes later they were there. That's hard to beat. Best, Jack |
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need inexpensive marine ssb and ham radio for cruising sailboat.
That's OK, it's nice and peacefull out here on my limb without you
I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one. HEY! There's no beer out here. Doug s/v Callista "Jack Painter" wrote in message news:Xiioc.35883$pJ1.2100@lakeread02... Doug, let's drop the semantics. Something you plan for in case it happens in the future is imaginary, it is not real and it does not exist, no matter how well you pretend it is. Of course we plan for emergencies, but when you advise the general public to commit an act on the presumption that something will happen in the future to make it legal, you're too far out on a limb for me. Jack "Doug Dotson" wrote in message ... Doug, we never disagreed on that at all. My comments were about the an act that involved presumption of a future, non-existent emergency. You have really lost me now. I prefer to base my plans on a future possability of a very real emergency. I am very glad I am a ham. The safety it affords me is far greater than any provided by the CG or CGA with regard to contacting someone to dispatch help. Once the CG is contacted then their assistence is some of the best in the world. Close to shore, the towing services are excellent. In my case, I sent an email via Winlink to a station in Dallas, that message was forwarded to my friend in Baltimore who called Vessel Assist. 30 minutes later I was contacted on VHF that they were in-transit, 15 or 30 minutes later they were there. That's hard to beat. Best, Jack |
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need inexpensive marine ssb and ham radio for cruising sailboat.
With all this talk about inability to raise USCG on HF SSB let me relate my
experiences in two high seas emergencies. I was aboard a commercial tuna boat fishing between Midway Island and Japan. In the first incident a boat nearby had a crewman whose hand got caught in machinery and was severely mangled. Too far for helo medivac so what was needed was emergency medical advice and clearance to put the injured guy ashore at Midway, several days away. No answer to calls to USCG on 2182, 4125 etc. Although I am not a ham, I broke into a net on 20 meters and was answered by a guy named Danny in New Guinea. He immediately phone patched through to an emergency room doctor in the US who gave hours of guidance on how to treat the hand and save it. He also contacted the CG who got the Navy to give clearance for a Midway landing. The next incident was a very very weak mayday I heard on some 8 MHz marine channel. The distressed vessel could not hear me nor was it heard by anyone else. It was a fishing vessel about 200 miles from Hawaii and it had suffered a major engine room fire. It was taking on water and had no power for pumps. I got the vessel name and position thank goodness. All calls to USCG went unanswered. In desperation I finally tuned up on 11179 USB and called a Mayday Relay. I was anwered by a Marine Corps C 130 air refueling tanker call sign QB 0x? which was flying off southern Calif. The radio op on the plane was really sharp and in no time had relayed all the info to the USCG. The boat was saved, no lives lost. The lesson? Use all your resources, know HF aircraft freqs, etc. Know ham bands. Hams are generally very helpful in a true emergency. 5696 USB is a USCG aircraft channel. Its a good one to have in your freq list. Listen to it, there is almost always some traffic on it if you listen for 15 or 20 min. BTW, all the calls were made on an "illegal" Drake TR 7 modified to operate anywhere between 1.5 and 30 MHz. Our "legal" SSB was crystal controlled controlled and had only official ITU marine channels. |
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need inexpensive marine ssb and ham radio for cruising sailboat.
"BOEING377" without a name, wrote
With all this talk about inability to raise USCG on HF SSB let me relate my experiences in two high seas emergencies. I was aboard a commercial tuna boat fishing between Midway Island and Japan. In the first incident a boat nearby had a crewman whose hand got caught in machinery and was severely mangled. Too far for helo medivac so what was needed was emergency medical advice and clearance to put the injured guy ashore at Midway, several days away. No answer to calls to USCG on 2182, 4125 etc. That's an unreasonable expectation to assume the USCG would hear a small boat between Midway and Japan on HF, which is far from our area of responsibilty. You're on your own out in waters like that, and 2182 or 4125 are for 20-200 mile coverage. Higher frequencies as you used to call someone nearer to your locaton, are certainly better for long haul comms. Although I am not a ham, I broke into a net on 20 meters and was answered by a guy named Danny in New Guinea. He immediately phone patched through to an emergency room doctor in the US who gave hours of guidance on how to treat the hand and save it Thanks for the heads up that there are no Hospitals on the island of New Guinea! The lesson? Use all your resources, know HF aircraft freqs, etc. Know ham bands. Hams are generally very helpful in a true emergency. 5696 USB is a USCG aircraft channel. Its a good one to have in your freq list. Listen to it, there is almost always some traffic on it if you listen for 15 or 20 min. BTW, all the calls were made on an "illegal" Drake TR 7 modified to operate anywhere between 1.5 and 30 MHz. Our "legal" SSB was crystal controlled controlled and had only official ITU marine channels. The lesson should be how unreliable HF voice communication is from a small boat in the middle of nowhere. There were certainly better options available to a commercial fishing vessel, or anyone who chooses to be a thousand miles from civilization. Other legal choices for boaters with only HF voice would be: http://www.mmsn.org/ Maritime Mobile Net (14.300 mhz) and from that group: Other Maritime Nets Baja California Net 7.238 MHz - Daily at 1600UTC California to Caribbean 14.285 MHz. - Mondays at 2300 UTC California to South Pacific 14.285 MHz. - Mondays at 2310 UTC Caribbean Maritime Mobile Net 7.241 MHz. - Daily at 1100 UTC Caribbean Net 7.158 MHz. - Daily at 0000 UTC Chubasco Net 7.294 MHz. - Daily at 1530 UTC Confusion Net 14.305 MHz. - Monday thru Friday at 1900 UTC DDD Net-Pacific for Canada 14.115 MHz. - Daily at 0400 UTC 14.115 MHz. - Daily at 1730 UTC Mariana Net 14.340 MHz. - Monday thru Saturday at 1900 UTC Mariana-Guam 14.310 MHz. - Daily at 0700 UTC Maritime Emergency Net 14.310 MHz. - Daily at 0400 14.303mhz. - Daily at 1800 UTC Mississauga Maritime Net 14.122.5 MHz. - Daily at 1245 UTC Waterway Radio & Cruising Club Net 7.268 MHz. - Daily at 07:45 ET West Coast Admirals Maritime Mobile Net 7.190 MHz. - Daily at 2230 Caribbean Maritime Mobile Net http://www.mayaparadise.com/mmfreq1.htm The TransAtlantic Net: Held daily at 1300 GMT on 21.400. Net controller is 8P6QM - Trudi, assisted by G4FTO - Rudi and VE3AGS - George and others. Weather on the half hour, and third party traffic where legal. The U.K. MM Net: Held twice a day at 0800 and 1800 GMT on 14.303 +/- QRM. Morning Net controller is G4FRN - Bill and in the evening you will find G4YZH - Bruce, G0IAD - Tony or G4FTO - Rudi and others The Pacific Maritime Mobile Service Net; on daily; 21412MHz at 2200 to 2300GMT. This is our 18th year on this Freq. Dr. Ernie, VE3EGM, is one of our relay stations. Thanks, 73, Bob Corbin N2RSM The Pacific Maritime Mobile Service Net; on daily; 21412MHz at 2200 to 2300GMT. This is our 18th year on this Freq. Dr. Ernie, VE3EGM, is one of our relay stations. Thanks, 73, Bob Corbin N2RSM DDD Net The DDD Net operates on a daily basis, frequency is 14.115mHz and the warm up time is approx 0330z going formal at 0400z. We have relays in Tasmania - VK7PR, Peter New Zealand - ZL1ATE, Tony; ZL2FS, Jim and ZL1UE, Malcolm Alberta - VE6LS, Al in Edmonton Vancouver Island - VE7CZN, Jim and VE7KON, Ken. Phone patch is available( where legal) and traffic is forwarded by Email (as available). Info from Peter Thomas, VE7PT This is just a sample, there are many others. Jack Painter Virginia Beach, Va |
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