HAM License

[Chiquita]

Brokesailor, that is fantastic. Welcome to high frequency ! Your gonna love it. What kind go antenna do ya have?
If you would like we can do a test on a frequency that you use, we are pretty close so we would need to use 10 meters ( 28.300 -28.600 Mhz). Take a listen to 14.300 Mhz that is the Maritime Mobile Net. 24 hours a day assistance.
Congrats on your ticket !!!
Don N4MDX

[brokesailor]

Thanks! Chiquita: Antenna on the backstay? Will try the 10 meter frequency. I think there might be an issue with my setup because when I have tried to tune in any frequency I haven't gotten any reception. I have someone coming over to look at it next month.

[Chiquita]

Name here is Don. I can def help if you would like. The back stay type work ok, however if you really want 100% booming signals coming in look at buying a good HF antenna. There is a great place called ham radio outlet in Woodbridge, VA not too far from you that sells everything HAM. Good antenna, good coax cable, and a good ground and the world is yours. My email is n4mdx@yahoo.com If you email I will attach my cell number and can tell you more to get you going. Shouldn't take much at all. We are out of Colonial Beach, VA. Talk to you soon !

[PatA]

Great info about sets and rigs. I have my technician and working on my general to get access to the HF bands. The question I have is do I still need a Ships Station License and Restricted Radio Operators Permit? I could see having to have the SSL but if I already have the FCC part 97 license why would I need a RROP?

[windward54]

Originally Posted by PatA

Great info about sets and rigs. I have my technician and working on my general to get access to the HF bands. The question I have is do I still need a Ships Station License and Restricted Radio Operators Permit? I could see having to have the SSL but if I already have the FCC part 97 license why would I need a RROP?

If all you are going to do is transmit on the HF bands, then you don't need the RROP or ship license. However, you won't be able to transmit on the Marine SSB bands.

[Chiquita]

So true ! Pat getting your general license is the easiest way. They do have many frequencies on HF for HAM operators that allow ship to ship and ship to land conversations. Some are designed to keep track and assist you underway, some are just for hanging out and chatting.
You are a technician, you have access to the 10 meter band using voice from 28.300 to 28.500 Mhz. Just a thought if were considering buying a HF radio, or you have one already.
14.300 Mhz is the most common daytime frequency. You can go to 14300.net and listen to live audio streams to hear what goes on.

[Chiquita]

When the 10 meter band can get you out far. Last few contacts I made on 10 meters was to Germany, Belgium, Texas, Florida, Oregon and I reside close to DC just to give you an idea of its capabilities. Down side of 10 meters it is not always "open" consistently like the other lower bands. Just a thought.

[medicrene]

If you want long range communications, get a ham license. If you get on the air without a proper call sign, many hams (including some of the sailing nets) will not talk to you. If you just steal a call sign,, many will know it becuase they look up the call sign on the internet.

The Witchdoctor

[SVAuspicious]

Originally Posted by PatA

Great info about sets and rigs. I have my technician and working on my general to get access to the HF bands. The question I have is do I still need a Ships Station License and Restricted Radio Operators Permit? I could see having to have the SSL but if I already have the FCC part 97 license why would I need a RROP?

Licenses are for particular services.

There are HF allocations for marine and ham radio (and aviation and other commercial services and military and civil government and on and on).

Your ham radio license is BOTH a station license and an operators license. Look at your license and it will say what your operator privileges are (currently technician) and your station privileges (primary). Once you get your general class license AND assuming you only want to use ham HF frequencies afloat you are done.

However, if you want to use frequencies allocated to the marine service you need to be licensed accordingly. The marine service uses separate station and operator's licenses. You need both. The station license is for the boat and conveys your call sign and MMSI. Check the boxes for everything (SSB, radar, everything) whether you have them or not; there is no obligation to have them but if you don't have the endorsement on your license you have to get a change. The station license is good for 10 years. The restricted radio operators permit is for you, and is valid for life. The license, designated RP, gives you the privilege of USING the equipment the station license permits.

[Chiquita]

Dave, where are you based out of ? We are in the Colonial Beach area. We sail a 35.5 endeavour named Chiquita. Call is N4MDX