Vhf radio conditions

[Dan Tribe]

I just eavesdropped on two ships speaking. In Dutch so I only partly understood, but I heard them refer to Wantij (by Dordrecht).
Is it very clear radio conditions today?

 

[johnalison]

High pressure presumably. Never mind, things will be back to normal by the weekend.

I haven't been out lately but distant reception does happen sometimes, usually something like Ostend radio rather than ships. It is the same with AIS. From Titchmarsh I can usually pick up sources as far as about North Foreland but occasionally all the way across to the Belgian coast.

 

[Marmalade]

We often pick up Ostend Radio in Shotley - must be weather / atmospheric conditions

 

[Dan Tribe]

On one occasion I could hear CG stations from Humber, round to Portland from Burnham.
Ostend must be a fairly powerful transmitter, we regularly hear it very clearly.
When I used Navtex, Ostend was one of the most reliable, Cross Corsen and Cullercoats usually available, Niton occasionally.

 

[johnalison]

In the days of Decca, the common sets would change chains automatically, but this could be cancelled and the operator could search for another chain. This was occasionally necessary when one chain went off air. From time to time I would play with this and try to get a fix from more distant stations. I think that my record from the Blackwater was to get a fix from the Northhumberland chain, which I remember was within a few miles of the correct one.

 

[Gargleblaster]

It is the same with AIS. From Titchmarsh I can usually pick up sources as far as about North Foreland but occasionally all the way across to the Belgian coast.

AIS range is interesting as you always know how far away you are receiving. I often receive up to 300 miles away with AIS and have received as much as 900 miles. I depend on receing ships at 50 miles as I will often sleep for 2 hours single handed if there is not target within 50 miles of me. This is ocean sailing where there are no land formations to get in the way of transmission.