Recent content by st599

The PL259 is literally a shielded jack plug of the type found in audio or school science labs. The tolerance allows an impedance of 30-70 ohms, so you can almost guarantee an impedance mismatch with a 50 ohm system - and any mismatch causes power to be reflected.

Not their problem if it goes wrong though - it's up to the passport holder to ensure they have the exit stamp.

The issue is the entry stamp in your passport - you need a matching exit stamp which according to RYA are only available at Ports of Entry.

The best I've seen is an inflatable based on a scuba marker boy. It contains a full size J-pole or helicoil antenna, folds down to a small pouch and if you're in a real rush, will inflate off a CO2 canister. Can be held aloft or raised on a string.

Checked one of the boats I worked on a few weeks ago, 1.08:1 at the top of the mast, 1.18:1 at the VHF. RG8 mini in to a Metz Manta with TNC joins at the mast base. Slightly worse on the emergency antenna, but that's a small compromised size. (10 years old - only issue we've had is having...

If you fire 25W in to a system and lose 75%, you're heating up a lot of components. The highest power gives you the best chance in an emergency.

Yep - or go for RG8 mini which is available in all good radio stores for a similar price to RG58 in a chandlers. The key is getting a decent antenna with a proper connector you can use it with. Also - PL259/SO239 - a shrouded banana jack of unknown impedance (and hence loss). Use BNC or TNC...

I normally go to Nevada in Portsmouth - specialist supplier with decent stock.

Some of the cheaper antennas use a vampire tap to connect the cable to the antenna. Designed to be used once, but often made and remade which causes a poor connection - also need a special coax with a ferrule on the end to attach to the antenna. For a bit more, I'd go for an antenna with a...

But that's only part of the issue if you read the Seabed Mapping docs - the trapped carbon is released if the seabed is disturbed. So healthy seagrass growth isn't enough to meet the carbon levels the government have signed up for - they need to stop activities that disturb the bed too.

Seahorses? The renewal is part of the UK Governments blue carbon initiative to get to net zero by rewilding the sea bed (which reduces the need to do things on land). Seabed mapping crucial to protecting our oceans "Re-align and restore 20% of the UK’s saltmarsh and seagrass habitats by 2030...

I used to have Skipper's Liability insurance with a German insurer based in Hamburg. Following Brexit it was withdrawn - they were no longer legally allowed to insure a UK resident. To do so, they'd need to open a UK subsidiary and arrange financial passporting. Without this, it was illegal...

Not sure you even get that every day - only if high tide lines up outside the closure times. 5 April 2025 Update to Teddington Barge Lock closure notice. Outside of the existing closure times (8am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm), navigation through the barge lock will only be available at high tide...

I work for a UK entity, but I'm not legally allowed to work whilst in several EU countries whilst visiting. Whilst you may be able to do the work from France, you may not be allowed to under the rules the UK negotiated. My company explicitly allows you to work from abroad, but states that to...

If they don't have a legal right to issue insurance in Turkey, then presumably any contract issued is null and void immediately,