Time Frequency Net Name (Area, Type of Information)
GMT MHz
1400 7.292 Florida Coast (Florida, TFC)
1700 14.300 Maritime Mobile Service
(Worldwide)
1800 14.303 United Kingdom Maritime (Atlantic, Med., TFC)
2030 7.086 Weather with George (Caribbean, Mon-Sat)
2230 3.815 Antilles Emergency & Weather Net (Caribbean, WX/TFC)
2310 3.930 Puerto Rico Weather (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, WX)
2400 14.313 Maritime Mobile Service (Worldwide, TFC)
as nec. 14.325 Hurricane (Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific, emergency, WX)
Also uses 14.175 and 14.275 as needed
* One hour earlier during
Daylight Saving Time
WX = Weather information
TFC = Traffic
Satellite and Data Communications
Laptop computers have become com- sively into the satellite market. The following
monplace on board most boats. Combined services are still available for SSB, but only
with Wi-Fi, SSB or satellite antennas and those aimed primarily at the recreational cruis-
equipment, a computer can become a criti- er market are likely to continue radio service.
cal source of information and communica- ShipCom is equipped to handle e-mail
tion while underway. Together with satellite and facsimile transmissions as well as regu- om
phones and services, today’s offshore mari- lar SSB voice traffic, and also offers satellite
ner has the ability to be in constant touch communications. The company broadcasts
SatC
with the shore-side world. from towers in Mobile, AL, and Seattle, WA
Wi-Fi
(800-633-1312; www.shipcom.com)
The SailMail Association is a nonprofit as-
Wireless networks that allow laptops to talk
sociation of yacht owners that operates and
to each other and connect to the Internet
maintains an FCC-licensed, two-way, private
onshore are increasingly feasible on board.
coast station in the Maritime Mobile Radio
While a Wi-Fi signal has a very limited range,
Service. The Association provides radio- omms
many marinas are now providing Wi-Fi ser-
printer (e.g. Internet e-mail) communica-
C
vice to visiting boats, some at an additional
tions for its members on a cooperative basis
cost, others for free.
in order to meet the private business and
To access a wireless network, your com-
operational needs of the members’ yachts.
puter must be equipped with a wireless net-
The organization is centered on the Pacific
work card capable of receiving and transmit-
U.S. coast but is working on worldwide cov-
ting data. Wi-Fi uses the 2.4GHz and 5GHz
erage (www.sailmail.com).
bands, and should not interfere with other
WinLink is a free service operated by a
radio or navigation equipment on board.
network of ham radio operators, thus you
Many boats traveling along the inshore wa-
must have a ham radio license to utilize it
terways have reported that the prevalence of
(www.winlink.org).
open wireless networks on shore has allowed
them to find access to networks with an In-
Two-way Satellite Communication
ternet connection while on the water in most Satellite communications systems, or Sat-
urban areas. The ability to receive a Wi-Fi Coms, have become small enough and af-
signal on the computer can be increased by fordable enough for most recreational boats
mounting a masthead antenna, but is subject capable of traveling out of VHF and cell
to FCC limitations on power output. phone range.
E-mail via SSB Radio
A variety of private SatCom service com-
panies now allow email and Internet access,
Most commercial companies that once of-
voice communications and a variety of spe-
fered SSB-based e-mail are now moving exclu-
cialized information services.
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