I’ve seen posts before on gCaptain in regards to Ham Radio. In particular there was a thread about operating the ship’s SSB. My question pertains to a portable radio station, for CW operation.
I don’t know if the Coast Guard has any regulations of the sort against it, or if a portable station would interfere with any equipment onboard the vessel. In the event that all is well, would it be possible to even make contacts while in your room without having the antenna outside, being surround by a steel structure, and while exposed to possible electrical interference from onboard equipment?
[QUOTE=PineappleOranges;173497]I’ve seen posts before on gCaptain in regards to Ham Radio. In particular there was a thread about operating the ship’s SSB. My question pertains to a portable radio station, for CW operation.
I don’t know if the Coast Guard has any regulations of the sort against it, or if a portable station would interfere with any equipment onboard the vessel. In the event that all is well, would it be possible to even make contacts while in your room without having the antenna outside, being surround by a steel structure, and while exposed to possible electrical interference from onboard equipment?[/QUOTE]
The Chief Mate on the very first ship I sailed on as a cadet was a ham operator and had a station with him onboard. Not sure of what the licensing and so forth was. I do know that he offered all onboard a chance to call home. . . never took advantage of it, though.
[QUOTE=PineappleOranges;173497]I’ve seen posts before on gCaptain in regards to Ham Radio. In particular there was a thread about operating the ship’s SSB. My question pertains to a portable radio station, for CW operation.
I don’t know if the Coast Guard has any regulations of the sort against it, or if a portable station would interfere with any equipment onboard the vessel. In the event that all is well, would it be possible to even make contacts while in your room without having the antenna outside, being surround by a steel structure, and while exposed to possible electrical interference from onboard equipment?[/QUOTE]
The only reg I’ve seen was the master have to give permission and your equipment cannot cause interference to the ships equipment.
You’ll need an external antenna. I never had any problem on the vessels I sailed. My equipment was either set up in my stateroom or office. The only interference problem I had was on the newer vessels with VFD controlled ventilation fans. At certain settings they generated high receiver noise.
[QUOTE=PineappleOranges;173497] I don’t know if the Coast Guard has any regulations of the sort against it, or if a portable station would interfere with any equipment onboard the vessel. [/QUOTE]
When ever you bring a radio on board its best to obtain permission from the captain and make sure you are on the right frequencies. I dont know what kind of rig that you are using but for me on my last training cruise i brought a small little 5 watt HT with me and operated outside and didnt have any issues contacting people 50 miles offshore on 2m/ 440.