I have been reading about the Bahamas and that VHF weather is usually not available but that SSB weather is available. A SSB transceiver cost in the $1200 range but I don't really want to talk. On ebay and amazon I can buy a Kaito ka 1103 for about $100 . Anyone have experience with these radios??? Supposedly they are simular to the Grundig and Sony models that cost more. I like the rechargable batteries and earphones. It also has an external antennae. Thanks http://www.kaitousa.com/KA1103.htm
SSB receiver for Weather Etc
- Thread starter MoonSailer
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If you haven't already done so, check out the reviews on eHam.com which seem to be unanimously positive - here is one quote you might be interested in considering:
"The Degen DE1103 (same radio as the Kaito KA1103) is currently (July/08) selling on eBay out of China for $49. Add $24 for shipping & Insurance".
I can't be sure if there is one on this unit but if you plan to copy WeFAX or download grp weather files, an ext audio output jack would be essential.
"The Degen DE1103 (same radio as the Kaito KA1103) is currently (July/08) selling on eBay out of China for $49. Add $24 for shipping & Insurance".
I can't be sure if there is one on this unit but if you plan to copy WeFAX or download grp weather files, an ext audio output jack would be essential.
I use a Sangean ATS-909 for WeFAX, HF voice weather, RTTY/Navtex, etc. Just plug it into a 'decent' external antenna such as a trapped dipole, long wire, etc. and you'll get decent results. On 'any' HF radio, its the antenna that makes the big difference.
I use this radio to download WeFAX to my computer (when my battery banks are low an d I dont want to startup the engine to charge, etc.)
http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ATS-909-Digital-Shortwave-Receiver/dp/B0000228GG or if you want the "super version": http://www.radiolabs.com/products/receivers/super909.php?PHPSESSID=313a8efc18d38239fd10fbd7f6edf685
BTW - the worlds best WeFAX site is http://wefax.de
I use this radio to download WeFAX to my computer (when my battery banks are low an d I dont want to startup the engine to charge, etc.)
http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ATS-909-Digital-Shortwave-Receiver/dp/B0000228GG or if you want the "super version": http://www.radiolabs.com/products/receivers/super909.php?PHPSESSID=313a8efc18d38239fd10fbd7f6edf685
BTW - the worlds best WeFAX site is http://wefax.de
Vhf weather is generally available in the Bahama's from the Abaco's to Georgetown. Further South you will need a SSB receiver. I have used the kaito for the past two years with good but not great sucess. The fine tune is a limitation. It's a little lacking. I would probably buy a different model if I was shopping today. Here are some VHF weather channels for your info:
Abaco's - Channel 68 (Cruisers Net - 0800)
Exuma's
Highbourne Cay - 0700 - Channel 6 (Not WX channel 6)
Wardreick Wells - 0730 Channel 6 (Buoy Weather)
Georgetown - Channel 68 (Cruisers Net)
Nassau - Channel 72 (BASARA WX) 0715
There are also numerous AM and FM stations mentioned in the cruisers guide that broadcast Bahama's weather.
Abaco's - Channel 68 (Cruisers Net - 0800)
Exuma's
Highbourne Cay - 0700 - Channel 6 (Not WX channel 6)
Wardreick Wells - 0730 Channel 6 (Buoy Weather)
Georgetown - Channel 68 (Cruisers Net)
Nassau - Channel 72 (BASARA WX) 0715
There are also numerous AM and FM stations mentioned in the cruisers guide that broadcast Bahama's weather.
Or you can bite the bullet and install a SSB radio. Always nice if you can listen in on a net, but it really helps if you can ask questions. If you are going international, you have to get a station license and an restricted radio operator license anyway for your VHF, so that part is done as long as you stay on marine SSB.
MoonSailer-
One thing to consider is that a SSB Transceiver is a very good thing to have in an emergency. It will also allow you to send and receive e-mail, which isn't the case with the SSB receiver. If you're planning on sailing across oceans, the ability to communicate with your family from thousands of miles away might be useful.
One thing to consider is that a SSB Transceiver is a very good thing to have in an emergency. It will also allow you to send and receive e-mail, which isn't the case with the SSB receiver. If you're planning on sailing across oceans, the ability to communicate with your family from thousands of miles away might be useful.
Hey Moonsailor, just stick with us and we'll have you installing a SSB system yet. The good thing about having a SSB radio installed is there are a lot of nets in both the Caribbean and Mexico, both on marine SSB and ham. Great for keeping in touch or getting local information. And the new radios are easy to install and operate. Took me a weekend to install mine on my boat.
Karl
Where did you install it?
I'm at a loss trying to find a good place - do you have a picture you can share?
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Legal requirments
If you are going to go "outside the US", then you need of abide by all the international requirements. I believe one of these (there are several) is having a restricted radiotelephone and ships lisense. Having a high frequency (HF) (or equivalent) radio is not required for "recreational" boats but a good idea.
BTW, They (HF) are useful for things other than weather, ahhhhh like contacting someone beyond 20 NM in an emergency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, no one is going to inspect your vessel for compliance so ask yourself, am I going to be out of (>20NM) VHF radio range while cruising??
IF yes the you need a(n) HF radio!
If no then you can probably get by with a VHF restricted radio telephone operators and ship license. They run around $160 per boat and are avalable online from the FCC.
WTS, you should also consider getting a VHF and HF radio MSII (not Boat US) number so that when your first mate panics due to your spirting artieral blood and hits the 911 button on either the VHF or HF radio the rescue folks have a clew as to a) who is sending and b) where they are sending from. Don't forget to hook up your radios to your GPS/LORAN so they can transmit your location automaticaly!!!!!!
If you are going to go "outside the US", then you need of abide by all the international requirements. I believe one of these (there are several) is having a restricted radiotelephone and ships lisense. Having a high frequency (HF) (or equivalent) radio is not required for "recreational" boats but a good idea.
BTW, They (HF) are useful for things other than weather, ahhhhh like contacting someone beyond 20 NM in an emergency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, no one is going to inspect your vessel for compliance so ask yourself, am I going to be out of (>20NM) VHF radio range while cruising??
IF yes the you need a(n) HF radio!
If no then you can probably get by with a VHF restricted radio telephone operators and ship license. They run around $160 per boat and are avalable online from the FCC.
WTS, you should also consider getting a VHF and HF radio MSII (not Boat US) number so that when your first mate panics due to your spirting artieral blood and hits the 911 button on either the VHF or HF radio the rescue folks have a clew as to a) who is sending and b) where they are sending from. Don't forget to hook up your radios to your GPS/LORAN so they can transmit your location automaticaly!!!!!!
BTW, the Restricted Radio Operator's Licens covers the SSB... so if you're even remotely thinking of it... add it to the list of equipment when you apply for your licenses.
In the US, several organizations work together to issue MMSI... Mobile Maritime Service Identifiers IIRC. However, if you're going to be going abroad and getting the FCC licenses, get your MMSI from them. Be aware that most DSC-capable radios are only capable of changing the MMSI a limited number of times before the lock out... and then will need to be sent to the factory to be reset.
In the US, several organizations work together to issue MMSI... Mobile Maritime Service Identifiers IIRC. However, if you're going to be going abroad and getting the FCC licenses, get your MMSI from them. Be aware that most DSC-capable radios are only capable of changing the MMSI a limited number of times before the lock out... and then will need to be sent to the factory to be reset.
Wow Don, you sure have a full nav station. Here is what I did:
When I installed my C-80 radar/chartplotter, I located that unit in a Navpod at the wheel. I'm at the wheel 90% of the time I want to look at it anyway. Where you have your radar screen is where I have my communications center. I have a Standard Horizon Matrix VHF, the control head for the ICOM M802 and the external speaker all mounted on that "wall". The transceiver unit for the SSB is mounted inside the nav station seat, out of the way, but convienient enough that I can get to it if I need to for servicing. And it made running the cables and the copper foil to the ground VERY easy.
One of the reasons I liked the ICOM M802 was the separate control head from the transceiver. The footprint of the control head is about the same as a VHF radio, just not as deep. Makes for very easy and clean installations and the bulky transceiver can be stowed out of the way. Let me know if you want a picture, and I'll take my camera out this weekend and snap a photo for you.
Bill, the current costs for obtaining a restricted radio operator's license (RRO) is $60 and the station license is $160. To operate SSB anywhere and to operate a VHF in international waters (other than an emergency of course) the ship must be registered and there must be one person on board with an RRO. The ship's license is good for 10 years and the RRO is good for a lifetime.
I always tell people if you are going to put in an SSB radio, you should also think about getting a ham general license. Now that there is no code test, it is not that hard to obtain a general anymore. And there are a lot more ham's on the air than ships operating SSB. I was able to talk from my slip in the Los Angeles area to a ham in Argentina this weekend. Sure is nice to know the radio gets out and someone can hear when I really need it.
When I installed my C-80 radar/chartplotter, I located that unit in a Navpod at the wheel. I'm at the wheel 90% of the time I want to look at it anyway. Where you have your radar screen is where I have my communications center. I have a Standard Horizon Matrix VHF, the control head for the ICOM M802 and the external speaker all mounted on that "wall". The transceiver unit for the SSB is mounted inside the nav station seat, out of the way, but convienient enough that I can get to it if I need to for servicing. And it made running the cables and the copper foil to the ground VERY easy.
One of the reasons I liked the ICOM M802 was the separate control head from the transceiver. The footprint of the control head is about the same as a VHF radio, just not as deep. Makes for very easy and clean installations and the bulky transceiver can be stowed out of the way. Let me know if you want a picture, and I'll take my camera out this weekend and snap a photo for you.
Bill, the current costs for obtaining a restricted radio operator's license (RRO) is $60 and the station license is $160. To operate SSB anywhere and to operate a VHF in international waters (other than an emergency of course) the ship must be registered and there must be one person on board with an RRO. The ship's license is good for 10 years and the RRO is good for a lifetime.
I always tell people if you are going to put in an SSB radio, you should also think about getting a ham general license. Now that there is no code test, it is not that hard to obtain a general anymore. And there are a lot more ham's on the air than ships operating SSB. I was able to talk from my slip in the Los Angeles area to a ham in Argentina this weekend. Sure is nice to know the radio gets out and someone can hear when I really need it.
Sent you a pm Karl - the 802 is definitely the way to go.
We should try a 40.5 west coast to 40.5 east coast net someday.
thanks again.
We should try a 40.5 west coast to 40.5 east coast net someday.
thanks again.
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