There are 2 seperate issues here which may lead to confusion.
1. the fishnet beacons are not ham gear and are water bouys.
2. The fishing boat SSB communications often use ham gear which is cheaper
than the same basic unit that is marine certified. Different box, often the
same electronics inside that can suit its as built purpose with a couple of
diodes or menu selection.
3. Operating in international waters by non USA registered boats is not
controlled by anybody except on paper. Many countries allow commercial use
on 160M.
Carl
KM1H
----- Original Message -----
From: "Merv Schweigert" <k9fd@flex.com>
To: <topband@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 1:25 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Maritime gear programmable on ham bands?
I do not know what rigs are used on the fishing boats, but I can sure give
you
daily logs showing both american and asian fishing boats carrying on SSB
qso's on the ham bands. Mostly on 80 and 160 meters.
It is normal operation when the fishing season is open they come on the 80
meter CW end of the band and go over charts, water temps, locations and
where to set the next lines and nets. Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian, and
a few Americans.
This morning was a good S9 pair of signals on 1819.5 SSB going over the
days fishing plans.
Of course the fish net beacons cover the 160 band.
Maybe the coast guard does not monitor these freqs so has no idea what is
there?
Its been a problem here in Hawaii for sure for years now.
This is because the equipment they purchase, like Icom rigs, operates in
Ham
bands. The radio buoys also are programmable to Ham bands.
73 Tom
Tom, this is news to me. Maritime equipment is manufactured to
extremely strict type acceptance. Can you give me an example of an
Icom MF/HF maritime rig that can be used or reprogrammed onto the ham
bands? It seems to me that some incredible redesigning of such a radio
would have to be done. Also, I don't see how the maritime
channelization design could be defeated to give the frequency agility
we enjoy in the amateur radio service (the only service to be given
such a privilege).
There are maritime channels set aside specifically for "chit-chat"
among vessels at sea, so I see no reason for a vessel owner to go
through the incredible effort of getting a maritime-only rig
operating on the ham bands. I suspect, instead, that the vessel owner
has purchased a ham band transceiver (which is about half the price of
a maritime transceiver).
Note that maritime frequencies are channelized. See for example, our
website: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov
73, Jeff KH6O
Senior Chief, US Coast Guard
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