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Old 23-09-2014, 22:19   #1
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: germany
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NEW SSB Radio NET in Europe (preARC radio Net)

Hi sailorīs,

we have start a new SSB Radio Net in europe at the 1. May 2014.

As a radio engineer and supporter of the ARC and World ARC to me is very keen that the communication is working on the yachts by SSB.
Therefore we have the preARC Net launched live so that the participants in the ARC and World ARC in the run-up to have the opportunity to test your SSB system over long distances. The last chance to do something on your SSB system, would be in Las Palmas. Yachtfunk.com is every year with two technicians in Las Palmas. Please contact Yachtfunk.com in advance, because in Las Palmas many sailors have problems with SSB.


every morning at 8:15 UTC on 8.297 J3E/USB (preARC radio NET)
and in the evening at 19:00UTC on 8.297 J3E/USB (nighthawk Net)


also many information about SSB and the Net on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SSB.Net/


Join in and have fun with your SSB

fair winds an see you in las Palmas

S/V Harrier Joerg (Net Control)
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Old 25-09-2014, 11:26   #2
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Boat: Catalina 470
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Re: NEW SSB Radio NET in Europe (preARC radio Net)

S/V Harrier Joerg,
Danke!
Thank you for starting a new net in Europe, especially one that can cover a decent range...
And, thank you for using one of the primary international exclusive ship-to-ship frequencies!!


I do not speak, nor write in, German (but know some Spanish), but if you have English-speaking, or English-reading, clients / vessel owners / captains, that may wish some "SSB Education" and/or some assistance with problems, etc., I have many pages of info / discussion to recommend...



1) First and foremost are a couple pages....regarding a problem (the "clipping issue") with early versions of the Icom M-802.... as well as an important feature (DSP Speech Compression) that many of them do not have turned ON...

Icom M-802 "Clipping Issue" - Revisited....

IC-M802 Compression

--- Remember that this "clipping issue" effects ONLY Voice SSB communications with the M-802, not DSC, CW, FSK, nor any data modes using a PACTOR modem, only Voice SSB....so those that "think" their radio works fine (but maybe haven't ever used it on Voice SSB, or maybe had difficulty making Voice SSB contacts but assumed their radio is working), should investigate this BEFORE they leave port....verify their M-802's serial number and test it on-the-air with other vessels and shore stations (using SSB Voice)...

Everyone should verify that their radios are working properly and optimally, BEFORE leaving port on a long passage....and with many early versions of the M-802 still being sold/installed ("new old stock"), it is very important for everyone to verify the M-802's serial number, and if it's below 0108261, they should have an Icom Service Center do the "clipping fix modification" (it is FREE)....but everyone, no matter what their M-802's serial number, should verify that their radio is working correctly...
(see this page for many details...)

Icom M-802 "Clipping Issue" - Revisited....


--- As for the "Speech Compressor", since the M-802 was 1.5db shy of meeting the commercial specs at 150 watts output (but does meet the spec at 100-125 watts), Icom USA decided to ship most of the M-802's with its very nice and clean DSP-based Speech Compressor turned off....and hence many M-802's sound a bit "weak" on-the-air, again on Voice SSB communications only....(this does NOT have any effect on DSC, CW, FSK, nor any PACTOR modes, only Voice SSB...)
Turning the Speech Compressor ON (done via software by an Icom certified radio tech / installer) takes just a few seconds and doesn't produce any harmful transmit effects, but rather seriously increases the radio's average output power ("talk power") and makes the M-802 a "loud-and-clear" radio on-the-air!!
I highly recommend doing this....
(see this page for details)
IC-M802 Compression



2) Secondly, I put together a few videos on Youtube, that explain every button, knob, and function of the Icom M-802, as well as explain a few VERY common problems / issues that sailors / crusiers have with Marine SSB, such as "how to choose the proper channel/frequency", "how to find good weather info", "what should I hear" (what are the normal sounds/static), "what shouldn't I hear" (what is interference / RFI), and especially "how does the DSC feature work", and "what are the safety/distress frequencies"...

Have a look here at these videos, and their descriptions....
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ll-114734.html


Icom M-802 Instr Videos(basic-adv) & LIVE DSC-Distress Call


And, anyone wanting even more technical info, have a look here...
Icom M-802 DSC-Distress Signaling, what really happens!



3) Third, here are a few pages that explain many uses/aspects of Marine SSB Radio communications, Offshore Weather info, finding and eliminating sources of interference (RFI), Ship-to-Shore Telephone calls, alternative backstay antenna, using the M-802 on the ham radio bands, etc. etc...

--- sources and availability of good offshore/hi-seas weather info and forecast...
Offshore / Hi-Seas Weather data / forecasts


--- frequency / channel choice...
HF Radio Freqs, summertime Atlantic crossing, offshore Net..


--- basics of Marine HF comms...
Tips for using an HF-SSB Radio (mostly for newcomers)
(mostly for those with older radios...but useful for all..)


--- Finding and fixing sources of interference...(even if the titles of these discussions do not seem to be "correct", the primary focus of them IS finding/fixing sources of interference)
Testing a SSB/Ham radio - poor reception
(lots of info on RFI and radiowave propagation)

ICOM 706 MK2 G optimization.
(lots of info on RFI and radiowave propagation, and radio operating tips)

Icom M802 in fresh water
(info on RFI and radiowave propagation)

How to reduce RFI from an Airmar depth sounder?
(info on unusual RFI)


--- Ship-to-Shore Radiotelephone Calls...
NEW: Now You Can Call the Marine Operator Again on SSB

--- An Alternative to the backstay for a good HF antenna...
SSB Antenna without a Backstay

SSB antenna for a ketch.


--- Ham Radio tips of the M-802, for hams new or old...
Icom M-802 use on the Ham Radio Bands


--- Detailed info on the KISS-Ground, and how to make one better for FREE in < 5 minutes...
Re: KISS-SSB Counterpoise



4) And finally, a few important pages with info about Distress signaling / EPIRB's, etc...

- Everyone please properly register your EPIRB!!
- And once registered, please renew (and update) this information every two years, as required!!!
(making sure that all shoreside contact info is up-to-date, AND that they will ALL know approx. where you are sailing...i.e. what ocean you're in, and/or what area you are in...)


EPIRB Activation? What happens/How to improve rescue odds
Please read the links in this thread (COSPAS-SARSAT and the "cruising world" links), and you'll know more about your EPIRB and how to best use it, than 90% of the sailors/crusiers out there...


- USCG HF radio comms, DSC and Voice...
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=cgcommsCall

USCG Discontinued ONLY 2mhz Distress Watchkeeping 8-1-2013



Quote:
Originally Posted by Yf2013 View Post
we have start a new SSB Radio Net in europe at the 1. May 2014.

As a radio engineer and supporter of the ARC and World ARC to me is very keen that the communication is working on the yachts by SSB.
Therefore we have the preARC Net launched live so that the participants in the ARC and World ARC in the run-up to have the opportunity to test your SSB system over long distances. The last chance to do something on your SSB system, would be in Las Palmas. Yachtfunk.com is every year with two technicians in Las Palmas. Please contact Yachtfunk.com in advance, because in Las Palmas many sailors have problems with SSB.


every morning at 8:15 UTC on 8.297 J3E/USB (preARC radio NET)
and in the evening at 19:00UTC on 8.297 J3E/USB (nighthawk Net)

also many information about SSB and the Net on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SSB.Net/

fair winds an see you in las Palmas

S/V Harrier Joerg (Net Control)
Again, thank you for starting a new HF net!!!
(and, if you desire a cross-ocean / trans-Atlantic net, daytime to early evening I've found 12.359mhz, or 16.528mhz, to work well....)


Fair winds and good luck!!!


John
s/v Annie Laurie
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antenna, arc, Europe, IC-M802, icom, radio, rope, ssb, SSB Net, Yachtfunk.com

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