SSB contact

[Larry M]

I finally completed the installation of my SSB/ham radio and would like to get a radio check. Is there a proper procedure for this? I do not have my ham license yet. I am on the west coast and do not hear much traffic on the radio except for what I think is on the ham bands and coast guard reports. Also do I need a license to transmit on the ssb bands?
Thanks
Larry M
CD33 dolce



Lmace@gt.com

[Ken Coit]

Larry,

You need a ship radio station license if you have an HF SSB radio on the marine bands. If the radio is ham band capable you also need an amateur license. See the link below for futher info from the FCC.

Quoting from the web site: "You may operate your marine radio after you have mailed your application(s) to the FCC so long as you fill out, detach, and retain the temporary operating authority attached to the application form. The temporary operating authority is valid for 90 days after you mail your application to the FCC and should be kept with your station records until you receive your license/permit through the mail."

Check out the marine band frequencies at: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/cgcomms/rtchan.htm

for info on calling frequencies you might use for a radio check.

I am curious as to what equipment you installed and will be interested to know how it works out. Keep us posted.

Regards,

Ken
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC

I finally completed the installation of my SSB/ham radio and would like to get a radio check. Is there a proper procedure for this? I do not have my ham license yet. I am on the west coast and do not hear much traffic on the radio except for what I think is on the ham bands and coast guard reports. Also do I need a license to transmit on the ssb bands?
Thanks
Larry M
CD33 dolce

parfait@nc.rr.com

[Tom]

Larry, One thing to keep in mind is that the ham bands don't work like your VHF radio where you can talk at any time. Certain frequencies "open up" and close down at certain times of the day. At other times you can't "get out" on that frequency. Sun spots and atmospheric conditions also affect them so that sometimes you get poor reception for several days in a row. Thus it often isn't possible to call for a radio check like you can do on your VHF.

The govenment has pretty much given up policing SSB frequencies as Ken's posts indicate, but there are some protocol fiends on the ham bands that do police them like hawks and will pounce on you if you broadcast without a license. You can't make up a call sign either because all the legal call signs are in the computer now and they can check them in an instant. Of course, anyone can listen without a license.

If you want to listen to one of the "nets" out here in the West, frequency 7294.0 on the lower side band works well in the morning and evening. In the morning that's the Chubasco net. In the evening that same frequency is the Sandia net. They come on at 7:30 PM and after taking marine emergency calls and so on, they play trivia until the band breaks up around sundown. If you tune in between 7:30 and about 9:00 PM any night except Sunday, we usually have good reception here on the West Coast. One you can usually get in the morning is the Baja Net. It comes on at 8:00 AM and runs until they run out of people wanting to talk or the band propagation goes bad. Net control is on a mountain top behind San Diego and although his antennas are pointed toward Mexico for cruisers there, we usually get good reception anywhere in southern California. They are on 7238.5 lower side band during the cruising months, but during the summer that frequency gets interference from stations in China or the orient so they move up to I think it's 7264.0 lower side band. You should be able to check if you're receiving OK on those frequencies. You won't be able to broadcast until you get your license, but any licensed ham can use your radio to broadcast legally as it's the person who is licensed and not the radio. Ask around in the marina and you can probably turn up a ham who can call the net for you and be sure your transmit is working. Since transmit and receive go over the same antenna, generally if you can receive it means your system and set up are OK.

There aren't any nets on the SSB frequencies that I'm aware of, so if you want to check those frequencies you have to make a "schedule" with somebody who also has a SSB radio to "meet" at a certain time and talk. There isn't any hailing channel like 16 on the VHF radios where everybody listens. Therefore if you just tune in and listen you aren't likely to hear anything.

A great many ham radios have been doctored so that they also work on the Single Side Band frequencies. Technically this is illegal but as you see from Ken's posting the government has given up policing this as of 1996. If you're going to register with the FCC for single side band radio, you want to be sure that you have a "legal" SSB radio and not a doctored ham set.

I finally completed the installation of my SSB/ham radio and would like to get a radio check. Is there a proper procedure for this? I do not have my ham license yet. I am on the west coast and do not hear much traffic on the radio except for what I think is on the ham bands and coast guard reports. Also do I need a license to transmit on the ssb bands?
Thanks
Larry M
CD33 dolce

TomCambria@mindspring.com

[Larry M]

Tom and Ken,
Thanks-this is still very greek to me. I have a icom m600 which I think is both ssb and ham. I have been looking for a good book to explain the ham but all I find is material dealing with the test questions but little on how it all works. Any suggestions? I have the radio more for safety and to receive weather fax data which I am still working on. At some point I think I will take Gordon West class.
larry

Larry, One thing to keep in mind is that the ham bands don't work like your VHF radio where you can talk at any time. Certain frequencies "open up" and close down at certain times of the day. At other times you can't "get out" on that frequency. Sun spots and atmospheric conditions also affect them so that sometimes you get poor reception for several days in a row. Thus it often isn't possible to call for a radio check like you can do on your VHF.

The govenment has pretty much given up policing SSB frequencies as Ken's posts indicate, but there are some protocol fiends on the ham bands that do police them like hawks and will pounce on you if you broadcast without a license. You can't make up a call sign either because all the legal call signs are in the computer now and they can check them in an instant. Of course, anyone can listen without a license.

If you want to listen to one of the "nets" out here in the West, frequency 7294.0 on the lower side band works well in the morning and evening. In the morning that's the Chubasco net. In the evening that same frequency is the Sandia net. They come on at 7:30 PM and after taking marine emergency calls and so on, they play trivia until the band breaks up around sundown. If you tune in between 7:30 and about 9:00 PM any night except Sunday, we usually have good reception here on the West Coast. One you can usually get in the morning is the Baja Net. It comes on at 8:00 AM and runs until they run out of people wanting to talk or the band propagation goes bad. Net control is on a mountain top behind San Diego and although his antennas are pointed toward Mexico for cruisers there, we usually get good reception anywhere in southern California. They are on 7238.5 lower side band during the cruising months, but during the summer that frequency gets interference from stations in China or the orient so they move up to I think it's 7264.0 lower side band. You should be able to check if you're receiving OK on those frequencies. You won't be able to broadcast until you get your license, but any licensed ham can use your radio to broadcast legally as it's the person who is licensed and not the radio. Ask around in the marina and you can probably turn up a ham who can call the net for you and be sure your transmit is working. Since transmit and receive go over the same antenna, generally if you can receive it means your system and set up are OK.

There aren't any nets on the SSB frequencies that I'm aware of, so if you want to check those frequencies you have to make a "schedule" with somebody who also has a SSB radio to "meet" at a certain time and talk. There isn't any hailing channel like 16 on the VHF radios where everybody listens. Therefore if you just tune in and listen you aren't likely to hear anything.

A great many ham radios have been doctored so that they also work on the Single Side Band frequencies. Technically this is illegal but as you see from Ken's posting the government has given up policing this as of 1996. If you're going to register with the FCC for single side band radio, you want to be sure that you have a "legal" SSB radio and not a doctored ham set.

I finally completed the installation of my SSB/ham radio and would like to get a radio check. Is there a proper procedure for this? I do not have my ham license yet. I am on the west coast and do not hear much traffic on the radio except for what I think is on the ham bands and coast guard reports. Also do I need a license to transmit on the ssb bands?
Thanks
Larry M
CD33 dolce

[Tom]

You might try "Talk to the World" by James Dux. A very basic text on amateur radio. It won't tell you what the buttons on the radio are for, but it does give you basic ideas about procedure, ham shorthand and things like that. If your library doesn't have it, there is a used copy for sale right now listed on the American Book Exchange (ABE) online for $ 5.95. It's at a store in Spokane, Wash.

The Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) also has a catalog with books and all kinds of things for sale. You will also learn a lot from the test preparation books. These are really learning tools rather than tests. The written test which is what the books are about is all about proper procedure, radio etiquette, which frequencies you're permitted on and so on. You'll learn a lot from the test prep books regardless of the test.

But one of the best ways is to tune in to the ham nets and just listen to how it is done. There is a procedure for checking in and checking out and you'll pick up the little phrases such as QTH meaning what is your location etc. If you're in the San Diego area Downwind Marine used to have a a little photocopied booklet with ham procedures that they gave out for free to cruisers headed for Mexico. They probably still do.

If there's a friendly ham in your area, that's often easier and quicker than reading books. You can find the boats that have ham operators because they often have insulated backstays and are geared for cruising. A walk down the dock studying backstays will usually turn up a ham who can get you plugged in and explain things to you.

I've never met Gordon West although I learned the code from his tapes, but people who have taken his classes tell me that he's an entertaining teacher and makes it interesting. I'm sure he can recommend books and perhaps supply the books as well.

As always this board is a great resource as well.

Tom and Ken,
Thanks-this is still very greek to me. I have a icom m600 which I think is both ssb and ham. I have been looking for a good book to explain the ham but all I find is material dealing with the test questions but little on how it all works. Any suggestions? I have the radio more for safety and to receive weather fax data which I am still working on. At some point I think I will take Gordon West class.
larry

Larry, One thing to keep in mind is that the ham bands don't work like your VHF radio where you can talk at any time. Certain frequencies "open up" and close down at certain times of the day. At other times you can't "get out" on that frequency. Sun spots and atmospheric conditions also affect them so that sometimes you get poor reception for several days in a row. Thus it often isn't possible to call for a radio check like you can do on your VHF.

The govenment has pretty much given up policing SSB frequencies as Ken's posts indicate, but there are some protocol fiends on the ham bands that do police them like hawks and will pounce on you if you broadcast without a license. You can't make up a call sign either because all the legal call signs are in the computer now and they can check them in an instant. Of course, anyone can listen without a license.

If you want to listen to one of the "nets" out here in the West, frequency 7294.0 on the lower side band works well in the morning and evening. In the morning that's the Chubasco net. In the evening that same frequency is the Sandia net. They come on at 7:30 PM and after taking marine emergency calls and so on, they play trivia until the band breaks up around sundown. If you tune in between 7:30 and about 9:00 PM any night except Sunday, we usually have good reception here on the West Coast. One you can usually get in the morning is the Baja Net. It comes on at 8:00 AM and runs until they run out of people wanting to talk or the band propagation goes bad. Net control is on a mountain top behind San Diego and although his antennas are pointed toward Mexico for cruisers there, we usually get good reception anywhere in southern California. They are on 7238.5 lower side band during the cruising months, but during the summer that frequency gets interference from stations in China or the orient so they move up to I think it's 7264.0 lower side band. You should be able to check if you're receiving OK on those frequencies. You won't be able to broadcast until you get your license, but any licensed ham can use your radio to broadcast legally as it's the person who is licensed and not the radio. Ask around in the marina and you can probably turn up a ham who can call the net for you and be sure your transmit is working. Since transmit and receive go over the same antenna, generally if you can receive it means your system and set up are OK.

There aren't any nets on the SSB frequencies that I'm aware of, so if you want to check those frequencies you have to make a "schedule" with somebody who also has a SSB radio to "meet" at a certain time and talk. There isn't any hailing channel like 16 on the VHF radios where everybody listens. Therefore if you just tune in and listen you aren't likely to hear anything.

A great many ham radios have been doctored so that they also work on the Single Side Band frequencies. Technically this is illegal but as you see from Ken's posting the government has given up policing this as of 1996. If you're going to register with the FCC for single side band radio, you want to be sure that you have a "legal" SSB radio and not a doctored ham set.

I finally completed the installation of my SSB/ham radio and would like to get a radio check. Is there a proper procedure for this? I do not have my ham license yet. I am on the west coast and do not hear much traffic on the radio except for what I think is on the ham bands and coast guard reports. Also do I need a license to transmit on the ssb bands?
Thanks
Larry M
CD33 dolce

TomCambria@mindspring.com

[Ken Coit]

Check out the ARRL web site at the link below. You will find a lot of information on ham radio and their publications. I've been a member since the 50s; it does a great job of explaining amateur radio, licensing, etc.

Good luck

Ken
ND7N
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC

You might try "Talk to the World" by James Dux. A very basic text on amateur radio. It won't tell you what the buttons on the radio are for, but it does give you basic ideas about procedure, ham shorthand and things like that. If your library doesn't have it, there is a used copy for sale right now listed on the American Book Exchange (ABE) online for $ 5.95. It's at a store in Spokane, Wash.

The Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) also has a catalog with books and all kinds of things for sale. You will also learn a lot from the test preparation books. These are really learning tools rather than tests. The written test which is what the books are about is all about proper procedure, radio etiquette, which frequencies you're permitted on and so on. You'll learn a lot from the test prep books regardless of the test.

But one of the best ways is to tune in to the ham nets and just listen to how it is done. There is a procedure for checking in and checking out and you'll pick up the little phrases such as QTH meaning what is your location etc. If you're in the San Diego area Downwind Marine used to have a a little photocopied booklet with ham procedures that they gave out for free to cruisers headed for Mexico. They probably still do.

If there's a friendly ham in your area, that's often easier and quicker than reading books. You can find the boats that have ham operators because they often have insulated backstays and are geared for cruising. A walk down the dock studying backstays will usually turn up a ham who can get you plugged in and explain things to you.

I've never met Gordon West although I learned the code from his tapes, but people who have taken his classes tell me that he's an entertaining teacher and makes it interesting. I'm sure he can recommend books and perhaps supply the books as well.

As always this board is a great resource as well.

Tom and Ken,
Thanks-this is still very greek to me. I have a icom m600 which I think is both ssb and ham. I have been looking for a good book to explain the ham but all I find is material dealing with the test questions but little on how it all works. Any suggestions? I have the radio more for safety and to receive weather fax data which I am still working on. At some point I think I will take Gordon West class.
larry

Larry, One thing to keep in mind is that the ham bands don't work like your VHF radio where you can talk at any time. Certain frequencies "open up" and close down at certain times of the day. At other times you can't "get out" on that frequency. Sun spots and atmospheric conditions also affect them so that sometimes you get poor reception for several days in a row. Thus it often isn't possible to call for a radio check like you can do on your VHF.

The govenment has pretty much given up policing SSB frequencies as Ken's posts indicate, but there are some protocol fiends on the ham bands that do police them like hawks and will pounce on you if you broadcast without a license. You can't make up a call sign either because all the legal call signs are in the computer now and they can check them in an instant. Of course, anyone can listen without a license.

If you want to listen to one of the "nets" out here in the West, frequency 7294.0 on the lower side band works well in the morning and evening. In the morning that's the Chubasco net. In the evening that same frequency is the Sandia net. They come on at 7:30 PM and after taking marine emergency calls and so on, they play trivia until the band breaks up around sundown. If you tune in between 7:30 and about 9:00 PM any night except Sunday, we usually have good reception here on the West Coast. One you can usually get in the morning is the Baja Net. It comes on at 8:00 AM and runs until they run out of people wanting to talk or the band propagation goes bad. Net control is on a mountain top behind San Diego and although his antennas are pointed toward Mexico for cruisers there, we usually get good reception anywhere in southern California. They are on 7238.5 lower side band during the cruising months, but during the summer that frequency gets interference from stations in China or the orient so they move up to I think it's 7264.0 lower side band. You should be able to check if you're receiving OK on those frequencies. You won't be able to broadcast until you get your license, but any licensed ham can use your radio to broadcast legally as it's the person who is licensed and not the radio. Ask around in the marina and you can probably turn up a ham who can call the net for you and be sure your transmit is working. Since transmit and receive go over the same antenna, generally if you can receive it means your system and set up are OK.

There aren't any nets on the SSB frequencies that I'm aware of, so if you want to check those frequencies you have to make a "schedule" with somebody who also has a SSB radio to "meet" at a certain time and talk. There isn't any hailing channel like 16 on the VHF radios where everybody listens. Therefore if you just tune in and listen you aren't likely to hear anything.

A great many ham radios have been doctored so that they also work on the Single Side Band frequencies. Technically this is illegal but as you see from Ken's posting the government has given up policing this as of 1996. If you're going to register with the FCC for single side band radio, you want to be sure that you have a "legal" SSB radio and not a doctored ham set.

parfait@nc.rr.com