SSB- HAM commo

[SimonV]

CAM & DON
An Iridium phone is expensive to own and use, I intend to fit an Icom M-802 with AT140 auto tuner, using an SCS pactorIII modem also need DSC antena kit, total $4449 I will look into a Ham License.

Edit: even if the boat a get has an old SSB I will be upgradinig to the above set.

[Valiente]

That's the gear I'm going to get after I get my Canadian licence. It's unusual that people seem to agree on gear so resoundingly, but if it's not an old Kenwood TS-50S rig, marine band sailor seem to own or to lust after the ICOM M-802 with the AT-140 tuner and a Pactor III modem. Add a GAM antenna and you have the default choice, it seems.

[RealityCheck]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I believe most Ham operators can operate on the SSB frequencies legally, or at least monitor them. You may want to setup a schedule with the ham operator for him to monitor SSB frequencies for communications from you.

He can monitor SSB frequencies and you can listen on Ham frequencies... you just can't transmit on them...and it may not be necessary to do so.

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Ham SSB and marine SSB are different frequencies and to use them you must be licensed as indicated above. The Ham can not use the marine SSB unless he has a station and operators license for marine SSB which most do not have unless they are involved in actual sailing.

Also while you and anyone can listen in on Ham frequecies... a Ham can Not broadcast to you... that is illegal. Hams are required to be in direct communications with someone and may not broadcast in the blind.

I recently completed the first part of Amateur Licensing necessary to use the Ham frequencies. I'll be taking the General test in the next few months to get the HF privileges necessary for long haul radio communications. I'll also have both a ships radio license and a marine radio operators license which as simply filling out the necessary forms and payment of fees, no test required for the marine radio stuff.

Several radios are available that will function on both the Amateur and Marine bands. You must still be licensed to use each of them even if your radio is capable.

For more info on Amateur Radio you can go to www.arrl.org

I agree that it is probably a very good idea to have a cruising sailor with a license for both Marine and Amature radio services onboard... it adds a safety factor and some fun.