The New and Improved Celestial Navigation Poll

[deckofficer]

If I'm being too nosy, just tell me. Do you have a private practice where you hang your shingle and contract with the government?

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

What I find interesting about the poll, it breaks down to 52% do not currently know how to CN. I would say 48% is a huge number considering the make up of the forum being 75% coastal and inland waters sailors, and the other 25% passage making cruisers and Merchant Mariners.

Where did you get those figures from?

My impression is that around 25% of the people on here don't own boats, another 50% rarely if ever sail them, leaving the final 25% who cruise, either coastal or bluewater.

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Where did you get those figures from?

My impression is that around 25% of the people on here don't own boats, another 50% rarely if ever sail them, leaving the final 25% who cruise, either coastal or bluewater.

Just from the poll. For overall, your numbers could be spot on.

[Geoduck]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Quite easy if you use this website morsecode.scphillips.com * jtranslator. html


*= mistake

Geoduck, you sure smoke me good, on a normal day 15~20 wpm for me CW, less for flashing light.

Yea, well I'm going to start over - at one time I could TYPE a hundred wpm.
Keying morse code it was more like 40. I had a speed key that you could really crank up but nobody on the other end could keep up with it.
Me and a guy in Oz used to haul ass with each other just for fun. This was 40 years ago. I doubt if I could copy & send 10wpm now.
Sorry about that!

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Geoduck

Yea, well I'm going to start over - at one time I could TYPE a hundred wpm.
Keying morse code it was more like 40. I had a speed key that you could really crank up but nobody on the other end could keep up with it.
Me and a guy in Oz used to haul ass with each other just for fun. This was 40 years ago. I doubt if I could copy & send 10wpm now.
Sorry about that!

Are you one of those guys I was in awe of 45 years ago with your Vibroplex Bug, cranking 30+ wpm, and little 'ol me on my straight key as a novice?

Your old keyer look something like this?

[s/v Jedi]

Morse way faster than sms texting: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6n...d-receive_tech

ciao!
Nick

[barnakiel]

Learned at school, then re-learned while cruising. Now practising it a couple of times on every crossing, just to keep the cogwheels oiled.

Today I only do the most basic tricks: noonsights and morning or evening LOPs from the Sun.

I think it is both a usable skill and a nice part of the seagoing tradition. I always recommend learning the basics of astro and carrying a basic sextant to anybody planning to cross oceans, especially the Pacific one.

barnie

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I always recommend learning the basics of astro and carrying a basic sextant to anybody planning to cross oceans, especially the Pacific one.

Why ?

cheers,
Nick.

[rubyjean]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Why ?

cheers,
Nick.

What's wrong with a little tradition???????? Michael

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by rubyjean

What's wrong with a little tradition???????? Michael

Why does the Pacific need more tradition then?! I think Barnie sees it as a safety device needed for crossing oceans in case GPS fails...

ciao!
Nick.

[Geoduck]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Are you one of those guys I was in awe of 45 years ago with your Vibroplex Bug, cranking 30+ wpm, and little 'ol me on my straight key as a novice?

Your old keyer look something like this?

Far out! I havent seen one of them in years! You can go like hell with one of those!
This is great! I'm gonna get some equipment and start practicing again!

[rubyjean]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Why does the Pacific need more tradition then?! I think Barnie sees it as a safety device needed for crossing oceans in case GPS fails...

ciao!
Nick.

Pretty negative...Michael..

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Geoduck

Far out! I havent seen one of them in years! You can go like hell with one of those!
This is great! I'm gonna get some equipment and start practicing again!

I thought so. Setting the bug up with the weights for the speed you want to fly at is a bit tedious.

[Geoduck]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

I thought so. Setting the bug up with the weights for the speed you want to fly at is a bit tedious.

I've been thinking about getting back into Ham radio again but it's been so long I doubt I could pass the test. I spent 25 yrs at sea fishing for a living with some kind of radio or another stuffed in my face and I'm glad to be away from them. On my sailboat I hardly ever have one on. I like the peace & quiet but Ham gear would be fun for sure. I guess I'll have to look into it.(We better start talking about sextants again or we'll get run off!)

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Geoduck

I've been thinking about getting back into Ham radio again but it's been so long I doubt I could pass the test. I spent 25 yrs at sea fishing for a living with some kind of radio or another stuffed in my face and I'm glad to be away from them. On my sailboat I hardly ever have one on. I like the peace & quiet but Ham gear would be fun for sure. I guess I'll have to look into it.(We better start talking about sextants again or we'll get run off!)

Did you not keep your license renewed? I'm fairly certain all code requirements have been dropped for the General ticket and new General non-code licenses have all the same phone privileges.