|
HF/SSB Radio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LaWe knew we absolutely had to have an HF/SSB radio on board. We wanted it for general communication, to get weatherfaxes, and to send and receive Email back to the USA, and maybe place a phone call or two along the way. This was one of the hardest problems we have ever had to resolve on the boat. We searched high and low for information on radios but there was next to nothing available. The following is a series of questions that you will end up asking yourself. We will try to answer them from both sides of the coin. Most of the information here we found out after we had left California, therefore too late!bel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What does HF and SSB mean?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is a toughie. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HF |
|
|
|
HF is easy, it stands for High Frequency, which translates to the band or range of frequencies that the radio can transmit and receive on. An HF radio has it's frequency areas or ranges, set at the factory to conform to the international HAM standards and they exclude the SSB frequencies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SSB |
|
|
|
SSB, on the other hand, is still somewhat of a mystery to me. It stands for Single Side Band. But wait a minute my HF ONLY radio says Single Side Band on it? This is where the confusion begins. An SSB radio is a radio that allows an unlicensed person to transmit and receive radio calls on frequencies that are not governed by the HAM radio operators of the world, and believe me these people are fanatical about THEIR frequencies. The SSB is a radio that lets anyone use the airwaves. An SSB radio has its frequency area, or ranges, set at the factory to exclude the international HAM frequencies. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NON-SSB frequencies are agreed upon sets or ranges of frequencies that are reserved for specific operations. These include commercial airlines, government agencies, commercial radio stations, television stations, etc.. There are an awful lot of assigned frequencies but there are also many more that are not. They are the SSB radios users play ground. There is no governing body telling you that you have to have a license and what you can and cannot say. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Do we need licenses?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The simple answer is YES. Well not really. If you only want to use the SSB channels and get weather faxes then you are okay. But we only came across two or three boats that didn't have and actively use their radio in the HAM bands. The American HAM operators get everywhere! There was a license test site set up in Tahiti while we were there. It was a one day deal for those who wanted to either get their license upgraded or to just get one. They did a great job and should be thanked for making the effort to let others use the radio. There were about 20 people that took part in getting licenses and/or upgrades. Most were upgrading from No Code Tech to General. Believe me guys when I say that women get along much better with morse code than us men. So encourage them to take the test and help them with their code. A vessel only needs one licensed operator. As long as that licensed operator is on board, the other can use the radio under their supervision. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What class of License?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Do you want to check in with the Maritime Nets? Then you will need a General license. Do you want to make cheap or FREE Phone Patch calls to the USA or anywhere else? Then you will need a General license. Do you want to send and receive Email via your HF/SSB? Then you need a No Code Tech license. The answer here is really GENERAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|