Ham Radio ?

[David S]

Back when I was a kid in Fla in the 40's, my Dad had a big floor model radio with several radio bands and a green eye that narrowed in when you were on a station. The only antenna was he wired to a window screen, that kept the hordes of skeeters outside, and he could "listen" to people talk all over the world! I am sure this wasn't a ham radio, and what type of radio would it have been called? Can sailboaters use a ham radio on board and what are pros and cons to have one on board??

Roger, over and out

David S

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

It was some type of short wave radio (receiver only). I think the vast majority of offshore sailors have an SSB ham radio to allow communications outside of VHF range. There are no "cons" especially if you want to keep in contact with the "world".

 

[heritage]

Ham and ssb radios on cruising yachts were common and almost a necessity few years ago. Inexpensive satellite communication systems are quickly making them not so essential. Although, there are several ssb and ham nets, especially in the Caribbean, that are still active and fun and informative to listen to.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Heritage said inexpensive and satellite communication in the same sentence.
I've not seen that combination yet.
Marine SSB radio is free
Ham SSB radio is free.
There are radios that give access to both sets of radio frequencies. in the same box.
You don't need to take a test for Marine SSB radio but do need to buy a license. You will also have to figure out everything with no help.
You do need to get at least a General Class Amateur license to use those HF frequencies and modes but no Morse code test. You will have as much help as you want just for the asking.
Marine SSB is for business and commerce so ALL the big ships have them and casual communications is discouraged.
Ham is for fun and recreation. Business (money making but not money spending) communications is forbidden.

 

[kenn]

I am sure this wasn't a ham radio, and what type of radio would it have been called? Can sailboaters use a ham radio on board and what are pros and cons to have one on board??

Back in the day, general coverage shortwave receivers were somewhat popular, covering from about 150 kHz to about 30 MHz in 4 or 5 bands. I know this because i built a few as a teenager and I still collect and restore the odd one, when the snow and sub-zero temperatures make sailing less pleasant.

So your Dad's radio may have been purely for the ham bands... but I expect it's more likely it was one of the above type.

Any use on a boat? Well, it can be fun to have a portable shortwave radio to play with in the evenings at anchor. I expect the hassle to set up and power actual 2-way ham radio on a 22' boat would only be of interest to the die-hard ham operator. And if you're taking a 22' boat far enough offshore to benefit from a SSB rig, you're a braver sailor than I

 

[richk]

probe ARRL.ORG search on "marine" (nm)

Back when I was a kid in Fla in the 40's, my Dad had a big floor model radio with several radio bands and a green eye that narrowed in when you were on a station. The only antenna was he wired to a window screen, that kept the hordes of skeeters outside, and he could "listen" to people talk all over the world! I am sure this wasn't a ham radio, and what type of radio would it have been called? Can sailboaters use a ham radio on board and what are pros and cons to have one on board??

Roger, over and out

David S

xx

 

[joker460]

The others have answered your question so here is the magic eye.

I had one in a very very old shortwave radio.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_eye_tube

 

[Stu Jackson]

Sangean and many others make short wave receiver-only radios. We have one.

"Over & out?" Really...

 

[heritage]

Heritage said inexpensive and satellite communication in the same sentence.
I've not seen that combination yet.

Your right Bill, a full featured satphone install will run into major $$$ and with a monthly subscription to boot. There are other satellite options though. The InReach and Spot are text only satellite devices that have fairly reasonable in costs. Here is a link to an InReach that wirelessly connects to an android device:

http://www.amazon.com/DeLorme-AG-008449-201-Satellite-Communcator-Smartphones/dp/B007ZOK6B2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348000395&sr=8-1&keywords=in+reach

 

[Chuckbear]

David, We have had an Icom SSB/Ham on board for 20 years and would never leave home without it. Chuck

 

[cephius (Dave)]

When we did a bare boat charter in the windward islands of the Caribbean, my 1st mate brought his ham gear aboard. He contacted each of the countries (Islands) we intended to visit in advance and got their policies on bringing a ham radio in-country. Some of the military departments required prior notification.

He mounted a short antenna on the stern rail and dropped a web wire strap overboard for the ground plane each night when we were at anchor. We did reach operators as far north as Iowa, but for the most part the weather was too fair to allow much skip.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/portable/0400.html
grunding yachtboy - YB-400PE Professional Edition.




has a nice footprint, and retractable antenna.

 

[Benny17441]

Don't forget that SAT phones and service can be rented for just the time needed. It is usually cheaper than purchasing a radio or Sat phone if you just need one for a few weeks a year.