HAM RADIO

[gweisheipl]

Amateur License Requirements

Morse Code requirements will remain for most higher class licenses. I t appears though after looking at the ARRL web site that General Class and Extra Class Code requirements have been diminshed or reduced from 13 and 20 WPM to possibly 5.STEP 2: General Class License (upgrade from Technician) EXAM REQUIREMENTS: 35-question General Written Exam (Element 3) and 5 words-per-minute. Morse Code Exam (Element 1) PRIVILEGES: All VHF/UHF amateur bands and most HF privileges (10 through 160 meters). LICENSE STUDY MATERIALS Technicians may upgrade to General Class by passing a 5 words-per-minute Morse Code test and a 35-question multiple-choice written examination. The written exam covers intermediate regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on HF applications. Non-licensed individuals must pass Element 1 Morse Code Exam and Element 2 and Element 3 Written Exams to earn a General License. The FCC grants exam element 1 and/or 3 credit to individuals that previously held an old Novice or an old Technician license. Valid Forms of Examination Element Credit can be found on the Web. The General Class is a giant step up in operating privileges. The high-power HF privileges granted to General licensees allow for cross-country and worldwide communication. Some people prefer to earn the General Class license as their first ticket, so they may operate on HF right away. In addition to the Technician privileges, General Class operators are authorized to operate on any frequency in the 160, 30, 17, 12, and 10 meter bands. They may also use significant segments of the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands. STEP 3: Extra Class License (upgrade from General) EXAM REQUIREMENT: 50-question Extra Written Exam (Element 4) PRIVILEGES: All amateur privileges. LICENSE STUDY MATERIALS General licensees may upgrade to Extra Class by passing a 50-question multiple-choice examination. No further Morse code test is required. In addition to some of the more obscure regulations, the test covers specialized operating practices, advanced electronics theory, and radio equipment design. Frankly, the test is very difficult, but others have passed it, and you can too. Non-licensed individuals must pass Element 1 Morse Code Exam and Element 2, Element 3 and Element 4 Written Exams to earn an Extra License. The FCC grants exam element 1 and/or element 3 credit to individuals that previously held an old Novice or an old Technician license. Valid Forms of Examination Element Credit can be found on the Web. The HF bands can be awfully crowded, particularly at the top of the solar cycle. Once one earns HF privileges, one may quickly yearn for more room. The Extra Class license is the answer. Extra Class licensees are authorized to operate on all frequencies allocated to the Amateur Service. Greg Weisheipl - KA9WPG

 

[Ken Palmer]

gweisheipl - KA9WPG, check ARRL

I'll be another ham to check into this thread. Licensed in 1958 as a Novice, and finally worked my way up to the Extra Class license as W2IMO. And yes, I had to pass a code test at 20 WPM. It took me a couple times, but I finally did it.Now the FCC has announced that the code requirement for all classes of amateur radio licenses are going away. The only requirement for a license will be a "written" exam (multiple choice). Back in the old days you even were required to draw schematics.Like so many other hams, my interest has dwindled. I operate a little bit on 2 meter FM. My HF (or SSB ) radio sits in storage in the basement. I had made a promise to myself that when I retire, I would dust off the rig and get back on the air. Even install it on my sailboat.Alas, I have been retired for 2 years now, and the radio is still collecting dust in the basement. My other hobby, sailing, takes my time during the summer. In the winter I work on website design and running my own website here for Lake Ontario. http://www.lakeontariosailing.com . I think the code requirement going away is the only way to boost interest in ham radio again. I don't think that the ham bands will turn into CB bands because those folks do not want to take a test at all.Check the link below for information on the code requirements.By the way, it was ham radio that got me into my career with Heathlit Electronics and then Harris, RF Communications when Heathkit went under. I suppose some call me a geek, but at least I am a happy SAILING geek. 73, Ken Palmer, W2IMO

 

[Mexicoman]

Curious

The PO of my boat used a laptop and a SSB radio to receive weather faxes. He also contacted his grandfather each evening on his voyage from Alaska to San Diego with, I believe, the 2 meter network. He said the calls didn't cost a dime.I bought an Icom SSB Marine Radio and it was also to be used on the Ham frequencies. I also bought the tuner for the back stay insulated antenna.I understand that a lot of cruisers use the SSB Marine and Ham Bands to "network" with each other at least once a day on longer voyages.I did accidentally discover that the Icom I bought isn't certified on one of the two bands of usage, Marine or Ham, but can't remember which one at the moment. I guess the signal splatters too much. At any rate, I was planning on using it for just such "network" contacts. Now, I just use it for listening to them, weather info, SW news and music and such. I guess in an emergency I could actually transmit on it and they wouldn't say a lot about it's not being a legal transmitter for that particular frequency.I don't know the cost of Sat Phones but I would imagine they are still pretty high for my budget. Personally, I sort of like the idea of possibly several vessels listening to specific frequencies on SSB channels rather than trying to make a Sat Phone emergency call to someone 10,000 miles away that doesn't answer or the line is busy! What a mess that would be.....So, if I understand the drift in this thread, it's that Ham Radio as I've known it for the past 60 years is on its way out. Is that correct?Too bad as now that they, apparently, have eliminated the Morse Requirement, I was actually starting to think of getting into it again.

 

[Peter]

Thanks, Don!

Don, you answered questions I'd been struggling with. Couldn't find any websites that addressed sailors who were also hams, and had any substantial amount of postings on these things!

 

[Brian D]

This brought up the urge...

To look for used HF equipment for boating. New if fine, but I'd rather have gear that has been "broken in", if I may. Anyone have links to sites selling Kenwood or Icom or Yeasu radios? I used to have a Kenwood TS140S (I think). Great radio over all with a small footprint. Like to have one again. And yeah, maybe a separate battery to run the rig.

 

[Gregg]

TonyB

Tony - I've been following this thread since you started it. A while back, I worked a guy who was in his C-30 in the Gulf, in a storm, heading west from Florida. Seeing one of your posts, I'm wondering if it was you. when I get home from work today I'll have to check my log.GreggKE2SX

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Used HAM eqpt

The best way to buy used HAM equipment is to get on the ARRL website, look for a club or members in your area. Most HAM clubs have major events at least once a year and also eqpt is sold there. One of the reasons HAM radio is a dying hobby is because most operators are old and they are dying off. The younger generation is just not interested in it so it is definately a buyers market.You will be amazed at how helpful the club members will be.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

GREGG

I had 2 QSL cards, one for my sailboat and one for the oil rigs. It may have been me, never know. 73's Tony B KC5SDIThat reminds me, i ought to update my records in this OWNERS DIRECTORY to include my call sign. Thanks for the reminder.P.S. I think everyone should participate in the OWNER DIRECTORY, that we we know what and where you sail.

 

[Gregg18047]

Sorry Tony....

it wasn't you. On 6/21/05 I spoke with Bruce, KD4WDD, who was on the S/V Tongass, a Catalina 30. He was off Panama City on his way home from the Bahamas. Heard him check in to the Maritime Mobile Service Net on 14.300, and we moved off to 14.295 to chat for 10 minutes or so.This year I may take the HF rig out of my jeep and put it on the boat for the season. I've worked QRP CW from the boat in the past- kinda cool sitting at anchor somewhere yakking with someone across the country (or the world) from your own ship.73,GreggKE2SXTake FlightH-33

 

[Peter]

Something I've wondered about....

I see references online to hams having a mobile HF rig in the ham's car, and s/he making intenational or multi-state QSO's while on their daily commute. I can see making localized VHF/UHF voice contacts while you're driving your car, but CW or even SSB when your QTH is constantly moving at 55 MPH (OK, maybe 25 MPH, I did say commute)? How do (and should) they do this? How can you drive and tune around the bands at the same time? AND WORK A KEY AS WELL????!!!!It would seem to me the HF/SSB and CW stuff should be reserved for when you're sitting at the desk (or nav station) in the ham shack.It would also seem to me that us sailors are ideal source for doing a DXpedition to the far-flung islands of this world....

 

[Don]

ham mobile

PeterIn most respects, it's no different than talking on a cell phone. Some might argue it's safer as you are only holding a mike in your hand rather than a cell phone to your head. When I had a 1 hr commute each way years ago, I used to have an HF rig in the car and managed to work other hams in over 100 different countries from the car some of whom were also operating mobile.Most microphones have a rocker switch which remotes the vfo (tuner) so you need not be distracted from watching the road while tuning around switching frequencies. Working cw is a bit more intrusive but I've seen some strap a key on their leg and send cw with one hand while driving with the other - never tried it but I guess some survived the experience to write or send pictures about it.Regarding sailing to islands for dx-peditions, let's see how old some of the hams here are - anyone remember Danny Weil? Perhaps the first real depeditioner who sailed extensively throughout the Carib abd pacific operating his ham radio from places many folks never heard of. The dertification of such operating practices has changed over the years such that one has to show proof that operating took place while on land rather than from the boat in port as Danny often did but in those days, people were usually taken at their word and it was an acceptable practice until the 1980s.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Peter

I dont know of anyone that uses morse code in their car while driving. But using HF to talk around the world while driving is no different than using a cell phone, which incidentally isnt too smart either, but i have used HF SSB while driving late at night. Just get on one frequency and stay there. Its just a mic and speakers. I dont know why it would be any different tha VHF/UHF.Also dont get me wrong, Im not trying to create a war here, but why are you so hung up on 2 meters? For marine applications, its pretty useless. For normal usage, why would you want to spend so much money to talk to someone within walking distance?I tried 2 Meters when i started out even though I had the Tech Plus license to get on voice on 10 meters. HAM firends i met talked me into it. I just couldnt get excited about talking to someone 5 blocks away. With HF, you can talk around the country and the world and just make conversation with someone that is literally in a place thats 'foreign ' to you. You cantalk about your cultures, weather, sports etc. More interesting than someone whos kid goes to school with yours. Ifthats what u want to do, go for it, but I'm not sure that you fully understand the limitations od VHF/UHF. I would investigate it further before I spent any money on it. Fortunately I bought my 2 meter rig used at a very cheap price and sold it a week later for an even cheaper price. By the questons you asked previously, Im not sure that you full understnad what they mean by 80% coverage. It doesnt mean that you can talk to 80% of the US. It means that in 80% of the US there will be repeaters. How far they are linked and how to make the links , is a totally different story. As for having DXpeditions while sailing, NOW THAT COULD BE FUN. I did it a few times in Ms. There are some uninhabited Islands 10 - 12 miles from land and that is where I made my "calls". from Ship Island and Horn Island. But if on VHF/UHF no repeaters, no one to hear you. If all you want to do is talk line of sight, use your marine VHF radio. The shrimpers do it all the time.  THe most practical frequencies for mariners are 20 meters during the day and 40 meters at night. This is all in HF range using SSB transmission.  QRP is fun, but not practical. I sincerley hope that i didnt burst your bubble, but the whole excitement for me is to talk to people in far away landsfor entertainment and 20 meter band for practical long distance communications, such as you would want when cruising. Tony B KC5SDI

 

[Brian D]

I remember...

Back in the late 80's when I was really active with my Extra Class License, driving in my car and chatting with a guy in Japan. All this with a 10 meter FM/SSB mobile radio. Those were the days, those were the days... Dang, this is getting me motivated to get back into Amateur Radio again. Think I'd like to do Amateur Satellite chasing.

 

[Ken Palmer]

SSB Marine radios

The SSB transceivers made for marine use must be "type approved" by the FCC. This means that they meet certain standards set forth by the Federal Communications Commission. Ham transceivers are not certified for marine use and "as sold" will not transmit on any other frequencies than ham frequencies. They will receive on all frequencies (per radio design) however.There may be modifications one would make to allow the ham SSB transceiver to transmit on the marine frequencies. These modifications are not approved by the FCC nor the manufacturer and would void any warranty.Also... marine SSB radios must be installed and tested by an FCC licensed technician, not the owner of the vessel. Ham radio gear can be installed by the owner.I believe there is an FCC license needed to operate a marine SSB radio, but not too sure about that. The marine VHF radio needs no license to operate in the U.S., but by law you need a license to operate in another country like Mexico, Canada, etc. Ham radio licenses are good to use in most countries with permission from those countries. The open ocean needs no separate license that I am aware of.73, Ken Palmer, W2IMO, Rochester, NY

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Technical differences that no one cares about.

The purpose of this post was to discuss he use of HAM radio aboard your boat. Then the conversation drifted to that it could be modified to be used on marine bands. My atttitude would be ,,,why would you want to?. Most of the mariner and sailboat networks are on the HAM bands. The typical marine band SSB radios I have seen here offshore are expensive pieces of junk. The audio quality for receiving is terrible. When I was a Capt, we used my HAM radio on the boats everyday to call in our reports because the boats marine SSB (on all the boats I have been on, and I mean ALL) were pretty much inaudable. If someone wanted to make these modifications, which takes a screwdriver and all of 5 minutes to remove a diode in most cases,although not approved by the FCC, who would actually care? Other than collect license fees, I dont know what the FCC does anymore anyway.I dont know what the current laws are about radios these days. At one time, not too long ago, any VHF radio needed a station license which was i think $10 or $25, i cant remember which. Then the FCC jumped the price up to over $100 dollars. Then most said, screw this I aint paying. Then the FCC dropped the station requirements for non commercial boats. I lost tract and dont really care. There aint no radio cops anymore. As for foreign countriues, I dont know what the requirements are.And as Ken said..Ham radio licenses are good to use in most countries with permission from those countries. The open ocean needs no separate license that I am aware of.Some of the replys here are excellent for information, but its all a whole lot simpler than it sounds. And thanks to those giving the technical and legal side. I have lost tract of it. I guess what I'm trying to say is....way back in the early 1970's you needed a CB license. Then all of a sudden it bacame the latest rage. No one was getting a license, the govt. lost control and the airwaves became a free for all. Its slowly getting that way with marine radios and HAM radio.

 

[Gregg18047]

Brian D...

The late 80's would put you about in the middle of the last solar cycle. This summer will be about the lowest point in the current cycle, with HF conditions improving steadily over the next years. Of course, you don't need a good solar cycle to work the satellites!

 

[Peter]

I'm not hung up on VHF/UHF

it's just that as I'm sitting for the Tech exam, that's more or less what I'll be limited to for awhile. As you said, worldwide HF is much more interesting and challenging. As a novice, I did 2m, but especially then before repeaters, the 40 and 15M CW DX contacts I made were much more fun. Probably contributed to the carpal tunnel I struggle with now.But HF is also more costly - you can start on VHF with an HT or mobile, which can be had new for $200+/-, under $100 on ebay. An HF rig more like $1000+ new (ebay $500), plus power supply and antennas, and needing the room for the antennas, and the homeowners assn. to say OK to them. The need for lesser power for the line-of-site VHF, and simpler/shorter antennas would seem to make them more practical for a small sailboat, unless your going ofshore, when the VHF is essentially useless. And my Cat27 isn't going offshore anytime soon. I'm sure the backstay is short, and my eyes roll back when I think about rigging a copper foil counterpoise.But when I upgrade to general, and retire, get that Cat470 and go out the 'Gate and turn left....

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

What i use is.......

If you use your battery, then you dont need a power supply. Just being over the water, you really dont need a counterpoise. I didnt have one on my Catalinas, which incidentally, your Cat 27 may pleasantly surprise you out in the open. Any, i went to Radio Shack and bought a bracket that the truckers use to mount their CB antennas to their mirror. The antenna mount is on the stern handrail and i just screw in mobile antennas for which ever band i want. I generally just use 10Meters for fun and 20 meters for reliable long distance communications

 

[Don]

one point of clarification to what Ken said

Ken said "Also... marine SSB radios must be installed and tested by an FCC licensed technician, not the owner of the vessel. Ham radio gear can be installed by the owner."Anyone can install a marine SSB radio - the FCC does not license installers or technicians.

 

[jackhartjr]

Don...

...I wondered about that, glad you clarified it, thanks.Jack Hart