* Alan’s Note: I am a new member of the Waterway Radio and Cruising Club - even though I don’t own a boat and I don’t “cruise waterways”, I do work for boats of all sizes in my business. I recently got back on HF/SSB Amateur/Ham Radio although I have been licensed (for the most part) for over 20 years. I didn’t get really interested in the WRCC Net that meets every morning on 7.268 Mhz - even though I found it along with other marine related nets online. I experimented with something called CQ100 (which you can find via a google.com search), and through that I met some guys that simulcast that net on CQ100 (via a protocol used for phone calls: VOIP) on a “virtual” 7.268 Mhz. They also will chat with you 10 Khz up on 7.278 *if* they are not too busy with the net, or possibly afterwards if they were flying solo on the net that day. So, I just received my welcome package from the WRCC, which included the Scuttlebut newsletter paper. There on page 14 was an article, which I will now partially quote:
The Terry and Harry Show
by Dave Harris N4NVI
Some have ignored it saying it’s not really ham radio. The would be correct. However, CQ100 has proven to be an added dimension to amateur radio and a real bonus to our net.
It uses VOIP (voice over the Internet protocol), the same dedicated phone lines that are used by computers to transfer data, programs like IM (instant messenger) and voice systems like Skype.
Here’s how the system works in conjunction with our net. Terry, K1LCH in the Tampa Bay area and Harry, AB4T near Raleigh (Alan says: that would be North Carolina - you can look these guys up by call sign on www.qrz.com) tune their HF transcievers to the net frequency, 7.268 MHZ at about 0715 each morning. They both boot up their CQ100 programs with the QSO-TV feature (new, additional program) and take the audio from their receivers and plug it into the “virtual radio” of CQ100.
(more of this article from http://waterwayradio.net in the Scuttlebut Newspaper that they publish.)
* Alan’s additional comments: So, basically now you don’t even have to have a SSB Radio to listen to and check into the WRCC Net - you could do so with just an Internet Connection and the CQ100 software. You do still have to have an Amateur Radio License… but at least in the U.S., with the removal of the Morse Code Requirment (yes no more morse code) it is even easier to get licensed as an Amateur Radio Operator. If anyone in marine (waterway cruising) needs what we call an “Elmer” (someone who’s a ham that helps prospective hams) to get licensed - I would be glad to be that person. There are published FCC question pools - which means that *all of the answers* along with the questions are known in advance. There are FREE and PAY study guides and software that can help you. And while on the same topic the same kind of things are also available for anyone in marine that might want to get their MROP - Marine Operators Permit - to be able to operate Marine SSB and VHF Radio as well. So let me know if you need that kind of help. There’s no charge from me for such things.
P.S. For those that think that Amateur Radio is old fashioned and outdated… there are modern technologies in use and under development in Amateur Radio - including Digital Modes, Satellite Communications, Software Defined Radio, Spread Spectrum, and the venerable VHF and UHF (hand held “handie talkies”, mobiles, and bases) with Community Repeaters in virtually every area of the country (and world). WRCC is listing even VHF Ham Repeaters in the Bahamas and Caribbean. Ham Radio helps you learn and use electronics and old and new communications methods. It’s a good hobby, a good comraderie, and very often good for safety and emergency communications.
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73 de KA4UDX (http://www.qrz.com/db/ka4udx)
Alan Spicer
Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net
communications (at) marinetelecom.net
+1 954 683 3426
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