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Marine Amateur Radio: Selection, Installation, Licensing, and Use » (SPIRAL)

Book cover image of Marine Amateur Radio: Selection, Installation, Licensing, and Use by The United States Power Squadrons

Authors: The United States Power Squadrons, United States The
ISBN-13: 9780071456296, ISBN-10: 0071456295
Format: Other Format
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies, The
Date Published: June 2005
Edition: SPIRAL

Author Biography: The United States Power Squadrons

U.S. Power Squadrons is the largest private boating educator in the United States and the “go to” organization for recreational boating knowledge and training. USPS offers programs in seamanship and navigation on inland, coastal, and offshore waters, plus a host of special topics ranging from marine engines and electronics to paddlesports and sailing. Members enjoy the camaraderie of fellow boaters and an opportunity to help their local boating communities. For a squadron near you, go to www.usps.org.

Book Synopsis

ENJOY FAST, CLEAR, AFFORDABLE COMMUNICATIONS—SHIP-TO-SHIP OR SHIP-TO-SHORE

When you’re miles offshore and the nearest vessel is somewhere over the horizon, you need a fast, reliable, easy-to-operate communication system. Marine Amateur Radio provides all the information you need to select, install, and operate an inexpensive and completely dependable ham radio system on any boat, power or sail.

This well-illustrated guide succinctly explains how ham radio gives you the advantages of a single-sideband system at a fraction of the cost. You’ll learn how to use your radio for voice or Morse code communications, check and send e-mail, link up with on-shore signal repeaters to extend your range, and even make personal phone calls using your ham radio. Designed to lie flat for easy use onboard, this compact manual shows you how to:

Obtain a Technician Class or General Class operator’s license

Use ham radio for coastal, high-seas, or worldwide communications

Tune the optimal frequency band for the time of day and range of transmission

	Acknowledgments	v
1	Amateur Radio and Recreational Boats	1
	Advantages of Amateur Radio	2
2	The Amateur Radio Service	4
	The History of Amateur Radio	4
	Amateur Radio Today	7
	The Amateur Radio License	8
	Objectives of Amateur Radio	11
	Hams' Varied Interests	13
3	How to Get an Amateur Radio License	16
	The Volunteer Examiner Coordinator Program	17
	The Exams	17
	Vanity Call Signs	20
	Licenses for Recreational Boaters	20
4	Amateur Radio Activities	22
	Awards	22
	Contests	24
	Nets	25
	Emergency Communications	26
	Military Affiliate Radio Service	27
	Direction Finding	27
	Satellite Operations	28
	Digital Communications	28
	Other Activities	29
5	The Amateur Radio Station	31
	Selecting Equipment	32
	Marine, Mobile, and Portable Amateur Stations	38
6	Making Contact	53
	Operating a Ham Radio	53
	Operating Procedures	57
7	The Electromagnetic Frequency Spectrum and Propagation Conditions	62
	Radio Frequency Management	64
	Amateur Radio Frequencies	65
	Ham Band Propagation Conditions	67
	Additional Observations about the VHF Bands	71
8	Amateur Radio and the Cruising Yachtsman	72
	Coastal Cruising	73
	Using Ham Nets While Cruising	74
	Using Ham Radio While Cruising in Open Waters	76
	Accessing E-Mail Using Ham Radio	77
	Weather Information, Amateur Radio, and the Cruising Yachtsman	82
	Appendixes
A	Publications on Amateur Radio	84
B	International Morse Code	87
C	Phonetic Alphabet	90
D	R-S-T Reporting System	91
E	Q Signals	93
F	Operating in Other Countries	95
G	International Third-Party Traffic	98
H	Volunteer Examiner Coordinators	100
I	Maritime Mobile Nets	102
J	Partial List of Coastal 2-Meter Repeaters	105
K	Partial List of Participating Mail Box Offices (PMBOs)	108
L	Authorized SCS PACTOR Modem Dealers	110
M	Partial List of Equipment and Parts Suppliers	113
	Glossary	116
	Index	119