[MHml] Marine SSB

[Arjan Bok]

I agree with Gary, I think a SSB is a must for a cruising boat. I don't have
a HAM license but I do get to use my SSB to listen in to the different nets
witch give me valuable weather info. I keep my Newport 33 in Mexico so that
I won't be side tracked into going sailing while I build my real boat a
43'cat in San Francisco. The only way to get reliable weather in remote
areas is through the SSB radio.
I have dealt with Don ay HF radio on board. He is a extremely knowledgeable
person about SSB He helped me out a couple of times. The man can be a little
"abrasive" at times but he is very skilled.

Arjan

-----Original Message-----
From: multihulls-admin at steamradio.com
[mailto:multihulls-admin at steamradio.com]On Behalf Of Gary Pearce
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2002 1:34 AM
To: multihulls at steamradio.com
Subject: [MHml] Marine SSB


Personally I think that an SSB is still pretty much essential for a
cruising boat. Sufficient that I went and did my "RAE" (the theory bit of
the amateur licence here in the UK).

Sadly the beaurocrats are trying to wreck this useful tool, and even more
sadly this damage is being inflicted by the GMDSS regs. The GMDSS version
of an HF radio is about as useful as a chocolate teapot for what cruisers
want:

a) It will only transmit at full power (thats a drain of 30 amps).
b) A number of the useful modes have been removed.
c) Most of the useful features have been removed in order to make it idiot
proof.
d) 2182 is a fairly useless frequency for distress transmission and is not
much observed or monitored anyway.

When choosing an SSB for email I was advised by Icom UK to get a non GMDSS
set (which they would supply on special order). Given that one needs to use
a non-approved set you might as well get the unit with the seperate head
(M710RT) which is easier for a lot of folks to mount.

Incidentally to the weight of the radio also add the weight of the copper
"foil" needed to help form a decent ground.

I have heard that HF Radio on Board http://www.hfradio.com/ are a good US
supplier. I have not purchased anything from them yet however so would be
interested in anyone with experience of them.

Rgds

Gary


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