Conference unifix::sailing

    Why don't you try what I did to get a license form for my "Ship
    Station License". Call the FCC in Boston. I got their numeer from
    directory assistance - unfortunately I didn't save it. You will
    get a voice mail system which will record your verbal request for
    forms. The forms which I requested came in 1-2 weeks.
    
    I didn't know the nember of the form, I just told the machine what
    I wanted.
    
    Bill
    

Several (many?) years ago, the procedure for getting a shore-based license 
was different from that to get a ship's license.  In case there's still a 
difference, be sure to make that clear, because one usen't to work for 
t'other.  May not still.

J.

    ONLY IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES CAN YOU GET A SHORE BASED VHF.  WHY
    NOT USE A HAND HELD?
    
    JAY

re .3:

>>>    ONLY IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES CAN YOU GET A SHORE BASED VHF.  WHY
>>>    NOT USE A HAND HELD?
    
Because it is illegal to use a handheld ashore without a shore license.  
Of course, I just step into my dinghy whenever I need to transmit from 
ashore. Oh no! I'm still illegal -- I don't have a ship license for the 
dinghy. 

:-)

    Heaven knows nobody on this notes file would want to do anything
    against regulations, even though the probability of discerning a
    hand-held VHF (operating at 3-6 watts near shore) from that of any
    other vessel approximates winning the lottery.  The FCC just doesn't
    have the time, manpower or inclination to track down "cowboy" operators
    unless they become a nuisance.  Even then, short bursts from a
    low-power mobile station are all but impossible to triangulate -
    especially when it's on a shared and active frequency.  In otherwords,
    practically anybody could get away with operating a hand-held on
    shore as long as they:
    
    1.  Don't identify themselves as being on shore
    2.  Don't artificially boost the signal
    3.  Keep mobile
    4.  Keep transmissions short
    5.  Don't have any enemies who know they're regularly transmitting
        from shore.
    6.  Don't engage in commercial activities
    7.  Don't call attention to themselves  ("Hey Harry, I sure hope
        the Coast Guard doesn't show up while we're loading these drugs.")
    
    Of course this is all rhetorical for anyone on THIS notes file.

    Based on what I see on Lake Champlain, VHF is rapidly going the
    way of CB.  Lots of people have radios, nobody uses call letters,
    few seem to have licences, and those that do don't post them.  I
    am told that the CG does not look for a license if a VHF is installed.
    I suspect that the gear has gotten so cheap and proliferated so
    widely that the Gummint will be unable to keep up with it.
    
    J

    RE .7
    
    AN INTERESTING THOUGHT.  I REMEMBER BACK IN THE LATE 60'S WHEN WE
    WERE STILL USING A.M. MARINE RADIOS AND THE FCC SWITCHED US ALL
    OVER TO VHF.  IT WAS A WATERSHED YEAR FOR MANUFACTURERS.  BUT AS
    I RECALL, THE REASON WASN'T BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC OR OVERUSE, BUT THE
    FACT THAT A.M. TRANSMISSIONS EASILY TRAVELLED HUNDREDS, SOMETIMES
    THOUSANDS, OF MILES, CREATING WIDESPREAD OVERLAPS.  ONE OF THE BIG
    "ADVANTAGES" OF VHF IS THAT ITS RANGE IS SO LIMITED SO LOCAL CHATTER
    WOULD STAY LOCAL.
    
    OBVIOUSLY, CHANGING FREQUENCIES WOULD TEMPORARILY ALLEVIATE THE
    LOCAL VHF CLUTTER, BUT EVENTUALLY CHEAP ELECTRONICS WOULD JUST
    BRING THE PROBLEM BACK IN A DIFFERENT BAND.  
    
    I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER WAY OF ASSURING A LOT OF "EARS" THAN
    UTILIZING ONE CHANNEL (16) FOR BOTH INITIAL CONTACT AND MAYDAY
    CALLS.  IF YOU SWITCHED TO SAY, A MAYDAY  ONLY FREQUENCY, THE
    COAST GUARD MAY HEAR IT, BUT THE LOCALS WOULDN'T, AND THEY'RE
    THE ONES WHO COULD BE IN THE BEST POSITION TO RENDER IMMEDIATE
    ASSISTANCE.  

    RE. 4:
    
    MOST OF THE HAND HELDS I SEE ARE USED ASHORE....WITH OR WITHOUT
    A SHIP LICENSE - I NEVER ASKED.