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From: Crafty Crowley (no email)
Date: Mon Dec 01 2003 - 16:40:21 EST
I can also highly recommend the Gordon West Radio School if you're not
interested in devoting a substantial amount of time to the endeavor! The
general class license is the one you want for access to the worldwide ham
bands. For the time being at least, this still involves passing a Morse code
test at five words per minute. With a little self-study beforehand, Gordo
will get you through it over a weekend! His web site (
http://www.gordonwestradioschool.com/) appears to be down right now but I
believe you can also book a place in the late spring Alameda school via
http://www.hfradio.com/
If you were to try for this without going to his school (for instance by
buying his books & tapes), you will need to become expert in Morse code
(albeit at a mere 5wpm) as the tests are administered via your local amateur
radio club, and the code test is considered more of a rite of passage. This
is not to say that Gordo's exams are any different, just that he has a way
of getting people through the exams with ease. Plus the classes are fun.
OTOH, if you don't plan on making use of the license for a couple of years,
you could wait until they drop the morse code requirement, read the books
and get the license for minimal cost.
As far as radios go, Icom's M802 is the business for the cruising sailor -
plus it would look damn good next to their 502/602 :) Older radios internal
circuitry may not switch fast enough to handle data communications if you
plan on hooking up a modem... which... I have to admit was at least half the
reason I wanted the general class license. If you want to save money, I
believe a used 706 can be had for half the price, but as always, you should
be weary of investing money in something that may not meet your requirements
in the long run. Out of the box, the M802 is a marine SSB radio, but is
easily modified to use the ham frequencies. Also, the ability to have your
e-mail software take control of the radio and tuner takes almost all of the
busy work out of sending an e-mail.
If you want to start off on your own, getting the Technician class license
is easy enough, and there is no morse code involved. This will give you
access to the shorter range bands. Picking up a $200 hand held is good idea
to start with, but if you don't mind spending a little more for a
"waterproof" model, the Yaesu VX-7R is an excellent buy as a multi-band
handheld..... although it is a little hard to master. It is much easier to
program using the shareware VX-7 Commander PC software with which one could
modify the radio to be able to transmit on marine VHF frequencies. (out of
the box , it only *receives* on marine VHF). Once modified, it would also be
a valuable asset in a ditch bag as it can also transmit/receive on
aeronautical frequencies....and did I mention its submersible? Note that the
VX-7R is not the same as the OEMed Standard Horizon HX460S model, now sold
by West Marine. Although they look very similar, the VX-7R has a lot more
buttons and can be had for less than $100 extra, whereas the Standard
Horizon is *only* a marine VHF.
As for licenses, my understanding is that you should get a ships/operator
permit for all your equipment, and you can legally use
EPIRB/Radar/Loran/marine SSB/VHF frequencies anywhere in the world. For ham
frequencies, in many countries, I understand you're supposed to acquire
(purchase) a permit (as in Mexico) to avail yourself of reciprocal
agreements. Although I don't have any personal experience in the matter, I
would imagine this is extremely hard to enforce so long as you do not use
radios ashore ... and since the 802 isn't technically a ham radio anyway,...
well... I'm sure you catch my drift.
.Conor
(KG6RRY)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bryan Genez" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 9:16 AM
Subject: Re: [world-cruising] Ham licenses and hardware
> Rick Bradshaw wrote:
>
> > As I remember, you have to get a license for each country you go to
> > even though you have a U.S. license. Also, as I remember, that is not
> > a problem since countries "usually" provide a reciprocal license for
> > cruisers while in their waters. Correct or am I off base here? Any
> > exceptions that come to mind?
>
> You are correct. Depending upon the country, there may be additional
> restrictions, for example, you may have to be underway.
> >
> > This is a completely new thing for me. I understand that a person by
> > the name of Gordon West (?) teaches/tests here on the West Coast and
> > does a good job of it. Any other people/things I should be aware of?
>
> I've taken the Gordon West weekend class. It's quick, dirty, and
effective
> if the goal is to get a license. If you want to learn about equipment,
the
> ins and outs of amateur radio, etc., you'll need more than GW gives in a
> weekend.
>
> > Is there a particular brand or model of radio that seems to work
> > best? I would like to build a land unit that functions decently and
> > then take it aboard when the time is "right." From my _very_ limited
> > knowledge, I would think that the major difference in the two
> > installations would be the antenna. True? Is there a preferred site
> > or database that I could go to to find all, well most, of the
> > answers? Does ham equipment go out of date as quickly as computer
> > equipment or is it stable?
>
> That's kind of like asking which brand of VHF radio is "best". Different
> people will like different units. Note that shipboard units are all
> designed for the HF band (~1.8 - 30 MHz). Many automobile units use VHF>
bands (144 - 148 MHz). You may not be moving as much equipment as you
> think.
> Antennas can differ, especially on boats where backstays are often used.
An
> automobile must use a whip, while your home can have simple or very
> complicated antennas.
> Equipment has changed through the years, especially with micro-circuitry.
> But the older stuff still works very well. The newer units seem to
simplify
> some of the controls. Someone with a lot more experience than I can speak
> to whether or not the newer units are "better".
>
> --
> Best,
>
> Bryan (KB3HMZ)
> "Capella" Valiant 40 #158
> Annapolis, MD
>
>
>
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>
>
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