[CQ-Contest] MMSN - can anyone explain?

[David Kozinn, K2DBK]

Not that I'm in favor of the petition (I'm not), but the answer to the first
part of #1 is that a lot of sailors do get their ham tickets and have ham
radio aboard for when "all else fails" (or just for chatting with others).
I've worked at several VE sessions where members of the local power squadron
or other boat-related group have taken their exams.

I certainly hope that they don't just run out and buy a ham radio (because
it's cheaper than a commercial radio) and expect to use that exclusively.

73,
    David, K2DBK
    k2dbk.com
    k2dbk.blogspot.com


On Fri, Dec 4, 2009 at 10:55 AM, <kr2q at optimum.net> wrote:

> 1.  How come these boats/ships are using ham radio?  Aren't there rules and
> regs or at least
> guidelines in place to have radio communication equipment (or something) in
> case of an
> emergency?  I'm hoping someone can point to reference.
>
> 2.  I reviewed the "events" from 2008.  One is "I cut my hand."  Another is
> "An unknown
> vessel is approaching us" followed later by "oh...they are no longer
> heading our way."  A third
> is a TIA, which, if it really was a TIA is not an emergency...just scary.
>  By definition, a TIA is
> "transient."  The boat that lost its rudder in rough seas sounds real
> enough to me.
>
> But again, shouldn't these guys have some form of marine communication?
>  One of the above
> events even notes that they did have a satellite phone.  Why ham radio...to
> save money?
>
> de Doug KR2Q
>