SSB

[David Sabourin]

We have an SSB aboard our new boat and I have not had any experience in using this technology. The vessel does have a ships license so I assume we can answer/transmit when desired. I would like to try to contact someone who has one aboard at a designated time and channel. Does anyone out there have the time that would be willing to do a "radio check" with me during the next two weeks while we are cruising the lower Chesapeake Bay? If so, please contact me at my email address dcsabourin*NOSPAM*at gmail.com.

Thanks,
David Sabourin

[Matt Cawthorne]

When you applied for the radio station license did you check of the SSB box? Assuming that you did, you might also try WLO. They will do radio checks and they have operators on duty around the clock. I have an account with them. I call them on the phone first, agree on the channel and while still on the phone I make the radio transmission. That way you don't spend a great deal of time re-trying in the event that things are not working.

[chase]

Hey Matt, can you elaborate? I have an SSB station license, but not sure about the "checked box" you mention. I'd also like a convenient way to check radio Tx.

Can't seem to find anything about WLO fees, how much to use their services? Seems handy to check in when out of cell service, but I'm guessing it is pricey...

David I'll be cruising the Chesapeake this summer, if you're going to be on the boat and want to get on the radio, let me know.

Thanks-

Chase

[David Sabourin]

When and where will you be this summer?

[Russell]

David,

I leave in about an hour to sail from Puerto Rico to the Chesapeake Bay, will be at sea 11 days or so. You can try to hail me after the Southbound II net (starts at 20:00 UTC and goes for about 2 hours). I ussually listen for a bit once herb is done, a lot of people hail each other at this time.

[Matt Cawthorne]

Chase,
You do not need to apply for a VHF license for your boat so many people don't. If you are going to use SSB, ham, or an EPIRB, however, you need to apply for a station license with the FCC. For a boat it is an all-in-one form where you apply for your license for all radios. On the form you check the boxes for all of the radios that are installed on the boat. I think you need a more exteded license for a ham radio. If you go to a foreign country you should apply for a US limited operators permit. That permit is good for a lifetime. So, if you applied for your license and recieved your call sign but did not own a SSB at the time, there is some question as to whether you are legal. That said, nobody has ever made it obvious to me that anyone checks any of this stuff. The FCC is busy keeping Janet Jacksons breast off of the airwaves.



You do not need a license to have a rado onboard, but you do to use it. In an emergency, you can operate any radio without a license. Sort of makes applying for a license for an epirb a joke.

Matt

[Matt Cawthorne]

The last time I used WLO you pay a $25 fee to have an account for a year and then calls patched through to a land line are billed by the minute. Long distance is included.

[chase]

David,

We're coming offshore up the Delaware Bay and down the Chesapeake, so we'll go the length of the bay. Annapolis, eastern shore and some o fthe other rivers are on the list of possibilities. Will stop in Williamsburg for some family oriented adventure. Where are you on the Bay? Let me know if you find a good freq. for the chesapeake. We'll be in the area between June 16-July 5.

Russell, I think you've weighed anchor, but here's to a safe passage...

Chase

[Russell]

Nope, not weighed anchor yet, blowing stink here!

If I recall, I had to get two licenses, a ship station licenses and a radiotelephone operators licenses. Neither is needed to use VHF in US waters, but both needed to operate VHF outside the US and both needed to operate EPIRB or SSB in US or out. The application process was online and rather unintuitive, but Shakespeare (the antenna people) used to have a terrific web page that gave step by step instructions for how to fill out the complicated web page forms.

Also, I beleive, if the boat changed ownership, the shipstation license might need to be reapplied for, I dont think it transfers with ownership. So if you had one that came with the boat, it may not be any good, so you might not be okay to transmit (except in life threatening emergency).

[David Sabourin]

Chase,
Let me know when you hit the Chesapeake and we can get together for a radio check. Or for that matter, if you are aboard sometime soon and want to do a check just let me know when and what channel.

David

[Evergreen]

Hey folks:

Let's all keep our fingers crossed while we drink a toast to the Wind Gods so that they may be pacified.

Just checked the Ugrib data and realized that Russell is most likely sailing right into a "fresh gale". We certainly would not enjoy such conditions while single handing.

Best wishes to Russell,

[lubeckmaine]

The license for the station- the boat- does not transfer. In addition, you need to apply for an operator's license, and there is a test to pass.

Jimmy Buehner

[bottomscraper]

Here is a link to the FCC form 605. No test is required
for the Marine SSB, just the forms and $$$.

http://www.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605.pdf

Ham (Amateur) is a different story. For this you do need
to take a test (actually 2 for a General license). There is
no longer a test for morse code. More information on
Ham radio can be found here:

http://www.hello-radio.org/hello/become-a-ham.php

You can order books here:

http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?category=L ... ...&words=

You can take practice tests here:

http://www.qrz.com/testing.html

and

http://www.eham.net/exams/

You can find locations for real exams here:

http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml

Rich (ham license yes , radio no , Marine SSB no )

Maybe next year

[chase]

Anyone monitoring Southbound II (12359.0)? My antenna is down at home but wonder if anyone has heard report from Lady Pauline.

Chase

[Evergreen]

I contacted Herb Hilgenberg (who does Southbound II) and his response was:

Hello Philip.
I have had no contact with Lady Pauline, however there is another yacht on a similar track and I have recommend to them to stay east of 68 W into next Wednesday, in order to avoid SE gale conditions west of 60W especially towards Florida and the Carolinas.
Possibly Russell has listened in.
Best Regards.

Herb

www3.sympatico.ca/hehilgen/vax498.htm