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> 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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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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