2182 kHz Radio Check?

[iangrant]

Had a few probs with the SSB, thanks to Icom Techs now sorted I think, a joint in the copper strip had come apart. Cleaned and bolted it back together and now it draws LOTS of amps on transmit, and pick up a gale warning for sardinia from Genoa Radio and an announcement from Yarmouth Coastguard, pleased with that!

Phoned Solent CG to confirm it was OK to do a big blast Radio Check and he said he'd give me a call in five mins. Silence!
Then I got a 'phone call ten minutes later, err our aerial is down at the moment - sorry.

Oh well ne'er mind! Speaker watch on ch 16, no 2182 at all looks like we do need DSC!

Ian

 

[snowleopard]

I had the same problem with radio checks on MF/HF. I solved it by calling on VHF and asking for a radio check on 2182. They said go ahead so I did so and got my response straight back.

On a previous occasion someone wes sending out a VHF DSC mayday which I picked up in the Caribbean. I tried to relay it using all the designated SSB frequencies from 2182 up to 16 MHz and got no response at all. It certainly looks as though no-one around the world is listening on 2182 any more.

 

[Gunfleet]

Easier yet to ask on here. If you choose someone on the East Coast or in Cornwall Ian you should be far enough away for the lower frequencies to work. Just choose a channel and away you go!

 

[iangrant]

Good idea - maybe we can set up our very own radio Scuttlebutt net? Anyone suggest a frequency and time?

Thought I'd give Falmouth CG a call but I think from the Marina too many pole sticking up etc.. I'l wait 'till we're out at the weekend.


Ian

 

[Ships_Cat]

You should get the USCG on SSB from the Caribbean. They listen continuously on all safety frequencies EXCEPT 2182. Forgotten the schedule but think it is 4 and 6 Mhz at night and higher during the day for propagation reasons.

For some of the other posters - 2182 is a really bad frequency to check a radio unless you are fully alert to the propagation limitations of that low MF frequency and the small antennas on yachts being very inefficient at low frequencies. Apart from over nighttime paths, and preferably twilight at one end, you will be very lucky from most boat stations to even get 100 miles range - and for that reason has been made redundant by VHF on coasts.

2182 is almost ALWAYS the wrong frequency to make a telephony call on for any reason, including for safety.

John

 

[Gunfleet]

The weekend is perfect because people need to be on their boats to do it. Don't know marine channels well enough to suggest one but someone will. Saturday evening perhaps?

 

[iangrant]

My LRC course instructor had a cover all for SSB - "It's not an exact science"

Tweak hiss bubble and pop

Ian

 

[Gunfleet]

Dead right but if we try a Scuttlebut net, as Ian suggests, we need to stick to fairly low frquencies because of the short distances between us - typically 150 miles.

 

[snowleopard]

Sounds like a good scheme. I suggest the 8MHz band so we can cover the whole of the UK and most of the near continent though probably not the Med. Say 8104 KHz. I think the best time would be 1800 UTC Saturday being a time between tying up and heading for the pub. Any takers?

Next question - what do you want to talk about? Shall we start with col regs??!!

 

[tome]

Re: 8104kHz SB Net

We can listen in on our receiver in Cherbourg

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Re: 8104kHz SB Net

When you going across? If Friday night, we will try to give you a wave as we go past!

 

[tome]

Re: 8104kHz SB Net

Ho ho, got yourself a bigger engine?

We're planning an early start Friday so we'll be tied up afore you cast off yer lumbering girth. Thinking of popping into St Vaast to cancel the dinner on behalf of MOA.

 

[PaulJ]

As I have said in other postings, my boat is not quite operational yet but I have installed the SSB and have been experimenting/playing with it. I have only been using Amateur bands but I have been staggered at the number of Hams there are around the world on the air at any one time. On one band or another there is ALWAYS somebody around and often it is hard to get a word in edgeways. I have had least success on the 80mtr and 160mtr bands which are either side of 2182Kcs though this is probably because of the antennas I have been using and the fact that I am tucked in on the north side of the South Downs. I have listened on 2182 and not surprisingly, have never heard anything.

Once I am properly up and running, it is my intention to carry the phone numbers of Falmouth Coastguard and the USCG and then if I have to, I will trawl through the Ham bands and butt in with a "Mayday" on any frequency on which I can hear somebody with a good strong signal, give them my details and ask them to notify the Authorities....... and if a Tony Hancock should reply I will just move on up the dial! There are always so many Amateurs on the air that I think this policy is more likely to be successful than trying to contact a someone on a particular frequency.

Paul.