2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Communications
Most maritime ham radio operation is on out a signal that might interfere with other
HF bands at 3.5, 7, 10, 14, 18, and 21 MHz, stations. Conversely, though, many marine
and occasionally at 24 and 28 MHz. Opera- transceivers can be set for ham frequencies
tion is divided among established nets, regu- and legally, but less flexibly, used on them.
larly scheduled informal contacts between
Ham Radio Nets
friends, and casual contacts.
Operating a ham radio requires both a sta-
Amateur, or “ham,” radio can be an impor-
tion license and an operator license. Station
tant communications asset for offshore boat-
licenses are mostly all the same, but opera-
ers. There are a number of marine-oriented
tor licenses are issued in various classes. To
“nets” providing weather and safety infor-
receive a license you must pass examinations
mation to all listeners, and communications
on regulations, radio theory and usage. Li-
to licensed users.
censes start at the Novice level, but again,
Listed below are the broadcast times, fre-
this class is of limited benefit. A General
quencies and names of nets operating on the
Class license provides the minimum level of
East Coast and Caribbean. Activity on indi-
operating privileges for cruisers; Advanced
vidual nets and their reliability depend on
and Extra Class licenses provide some addi-
the people participating, and can fluctuate
tional privileges, but are not necessary. There
dramatically. Please notify REED’s (publish-
are numerous study guides available for test
er@reedsalmanac.com) if you find any of the
preparation, and in many areas, ham radio
nets listed below to be particularly inactive
clubs conduct classes or can assist in locat-
or especially valuable.
ing someone who will help a person prepare
Of particular note is the Waterway Net that
for the exam. For more information, visit
is reported to have excellent weather reports
the American Radio Relay League’s Website
for the waters south of Norfolk, Virginia,
www.arrl.org.
accurate hurricane reporting, and an exten-
Ham radios look much like those for ma-
sive group of boaters keeping in touch and
rine communications, but they are different
sharing information. The Maritime Mobile
in several respects. Although many ham sets
Service Net provides licensed operators with
include marine frequencies, ham radios are
inexpensive phone connections. These calls
not federally approved for use as ship sta-
will not be private and business communica-
tions. Because ham operators are deemed
tions are not permitted.
to be more technically qualified as a result
Ham operator licenses are issued by the
of passing their license examinations, ham
Federal Communications Commission and
transmitters are less “idiot proof” than their
require passing an exam on radio operation.
marine equivalents; there are more controls
If you are interested in becoming a licensed
and greater flexibility in tuning and adjust-
ham operator, see the section on radio li-
ing, thus more opportunity for putting
censing on page 816.
Time Frequency Net Name (Area, Type of Information)
GMT MHz
0100 3.935 Gulf Coast Hurricane (Gulf, WX/TFC)
0200 14.334 Brazil, East Coast (East Coast, Atlantic, WX/TFC)
0630 14.313 International Maritime Mobile (Atlantic, Mediterranean, Caribbean, TFC)
1030 7.162 Antilles Emergency and Weather Net (Caribbean, WX/TFC)
1100* 7.241 Caribbean Maritime Mobile (Caribbean, WX, TFC)
1100 14.283 Caribus Traffic (East Coast, Caribbean, TFC)
1110 3.930 Puerto Rico Weather (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, WX)
1115 7.241 Caribbean Maritime Mobile(WX, Mon-Sat)
1120 7.086 Caribbean Weather (Mon-Sat)
1215 8.104 Caribbean Safety & Security Net
1220* 3.696 Bahamas Weather Net
1230 7.185 Barbados Info (Caribbean, TFC)
1230 8.104 Caribbean Weather
1245* 7.268 East Coast Waterway (East Coast, Caribbean, TFC, WX).
1300 21.400 TransAtlantic (Atlantic, Mediterranean, Caribbean, TFC)
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