MORE HF Net Drama! Who Owns the Frequency?

As a follow-up to the previous video that I made about the Maritime Mobile Net trying to lay claim to the 14.300 frequency on 20-meters, I found a couple of more article on Reddit that describe experiences of other Hams trying to use a frequency NEAR 14.300 - not even the same frequency! Check this out...
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[@W5MYR]

I personally heard this very thing happen yesterday where someone was activating a park on 14.302 in the morning and a guy comes in and just says, "Hey, you're interfering with 300!" The guy moved, but it was pretty annoying for someone to come in with that amount of presumption when 14.300 wasn't even in use. Best of all, the guy didn't even use his call sign. Seems to be a continuous problem.

[@miketel01]

What is activating a park? I only have a ‘basic licence’ so please forgive my ignorance. VA7SSM

[@threadripper979]

@@miketel01 It's going to a designated park and making at least 10 contacts.

[@KB1UIF]

​@miketel01 It's called a POTA activation, Parks on the Air. Someone sets up a portable station in a park, normally post information on the web about the activation, and then QSOs take place, it's quite popular at the moment.

[@Macrosill]

I had the exact same thing happen to me while calling cq for the CQ WW WPX contest. I simply said sorry and moved. It wasn't worth the fight.

[@pirate959]

There is something called the Streisand Effect. They will lose the battle.

[@jtderby]

14.304 is MY frequency. I've now posted it on the internet. Everyone get off my lawn!

[@HamRadio2]

👆

[@dreupen]

No No NO Mr QRM! You are too close to my 14.306 MHz..

[@2321brendan]

@@dreupen No Hes an Imposter I am Mr QRM. VK2QRM. Im at 14.301

[@UndyingShadow83]

@@2321brendan NO, I AM SPARTACUS!

[@vk3xemontheweb]

@@2321brendan Seems to me deliberately selecting the callsign VK2QRM shows a certain level of arrogance towards the hobby. Just like a crowd controller wearing the number 1 or 69 are deliberately looking for trouble.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

I was once doing a POTA, gentleman got on the air and VERY politely told me a net was about to start up and ASKED me if I would mind moving. I told him I wanted to finish up a couple of contacts and would move on, which I did before the net started. Works fine when each party is respectful of another.

[@HamRadio2]

Agreed. Same thing has happened to me a couple of times. I don't mind moving at all, just don't be rude about it

[@tomcat1fl]

I’m more apt to move if asked nicely rather than ordered to move…

[@xxcrazy_critr6661]

This is the way!

[@OldinMariner]

First I am a FCC licensed commercial technician with radar endorsement. Which was and is required to work on marine transmitters and radar. I have been working on all sizes of boats and ships since the 1970's. VHF is one of the frequencies available for boats to use mainly for use up to 20 miles offshore. For commercial boats carrying passengers for hire (fishing boats, ferrying, diving, etc.) and boats over 100 tons if they travel over 20 miles offshore they are required to have a Marine SSB radio on board that cover MF and lower HF marine frequencies. Pleasure boats are not required to carry but are recommended to carry a VHF radio and if you are ocean traveling a marine SSB is also recommended. The main reason is for their safety but one big problem with that is the Coast Guard does not actively monitor the SSB frequencies. Having a Marine net you can reach in trouble is a big help to sailors at sea. A recommendation I make is that they get their Amateur General class license and purchase an Amateur HF instead so the will have a better chance to be heard at sea. For more cost they can install in Iridium Satellite phone and some are now installing Star-Link to give them better communication services. Since the 1980's the cruisers best system was a marine or amateur SSB and a Pactor modem to send e-mail and is still used today if only to back up their faster systems. For high seas sailing you need to know that you have to rely on yourself for anything that may and will go wrong on your boat so backups and knowledge of everything about your boat and the ocean around you including the weather is necessary for a safe trip. K6DCH

[@patm5165]

Correct me if I am wrong, But I believe the Marine HF bands go a little lower than the Ham HF bands do.

[@davep6977]

@@patm5165 I think they're around 5MHZ

[@davep6977]

he's 100% correct , see my post

[@mikehemeon2473]

I think that they still do require a commercial license to work on shipboard equipment for the larger ships with a GMDSS Maintainers license w/Radar. Phone frequencies in the maritime service can use 2000 khz to 27.5 mhz with certain CW frequencies in the same bands.

[@spaceflight1019]

If you read the transcript from the El Faro shipwreck, they used only satellite comms to talk to the head office and didn't talk at all to the Coast Guard, but the captain called the head office to let them know that they were going to abandon ship and "hit the button" to notify the CG.

[@ChadKD9WAX]

You hit it right on the head - no one owns a frequency and running a net need to be flexible just like everyone else in the world.

[@mattwilly7959]

The weirdest is, if someone calls on frequency and asks if it in use, get's no response, but then calls cq and get's immediately told off. I don't think any of us would have any problem being asked poilitely if we could move

[@vk3xemontheweb]

I would personally IGNORE the station telling me to move in that situation, it is like they are looking for trouble.

[@platinumfalconm3891]

"......asks if it in use, get's no response, but then calls cq...." There is the root of the problem. One of the reasons for the 10 min rule was to deter frequency camping. If you fail to identify after over 10 mins you lose the frequency. Passive listening waiting to reply, does not mean the frequency is in use. In the old days calling cq was implied asking if anyone was passively listening. After waiting over ten mins, no one listening has standing to claim the frequency was in use.

[@billcosgrave6232]

Sounds like the FCC needs to explain the rules to the Maritime Mobile net.

[@GoonyMclinux]

Thats the net that makes me want to stay a land lubber......

[@metatechnologist]

Nah the last people we need to clown around with!

[@vk3xemontheweb]

Here in Australia on UHF CB Radio there are repeaters in big cities that are full of rubbish, they are left on air as shit magnets to allow the other CB channels to operate normally. Maybe this is the reason 14.3 is used?

[@littleprincess4417]

Sounds like people need to learn to respect established nets and move a few kc one way or the other. It is exceedingly easier for one or two individuals to move than to coordinate a move of dozens of people on an established net frequency. Not to mention the fact that you being on what is published as an emergency calling frequency for mariners could open you up to civil liability if someone died because you were being a jerk.

[@billcosgrave6232]

@@littleprincess4417you need to read the FCC rules!

[@Pahrump]

Onus- used to refer to something that is one's duty or responsibility. "the onus is on you to show that you have suffered loss"

[@spweber54]

Having had the privilege of being a ham for over 50 years, I've experienced many of the issues you mentioned in your great video. First, politeness and manners, while always desired have declined on the ham bands over the years. Most still are polite, however, but there seems to be a degradation in patience. Turn the 'big knob' and move to another frequency is easy to do, but some feel an 'I was here first, so YOU move' attitude--which is actually childish when you think about it. Second, some nets that operated in the 50's, 60's,and even 70's were truly of service before the internet, GPS, and other technologies took over. People passed phone patches (messages) from hams on ships, and on land via telephone lines. In this day of social media, text messaging, and cellphone proliferation there is literally no need for the vast majority of these 'traffic nets'... They are just a daily place to 'check in' with friends, make a comment, then sign out. There is almost ZERO 'true' traffic being passed. But, they are a carryover and 'tradition' from days gone by. Traditions are hard to die. Third, new hams to our hobby don't know about the history and use of some of the calling frequencies, traffic nets, and therefore the onus (burden) should be on the experienced ham to politely inform them and lead by example. Being rude or discourteous is NEVER a desired practice. Your advice to IGNORE offenders is spot on! They will usually go away. If they don't, then YOU QSY, switch to another band, or go outside for a break! Don't get down to their level and cause more QRM, sullying your callsign and reputation in the process! Thanks for highlighting this issue. 73 and hope to work you on frequency someday! Stan - WB5UDI

[@BowWowPewPewCQ]

Ever since my early days I liked how ham radio operators mostly co-operated without fed hard regulations and by "gentleman's agreement" for the greater good. Of course, not everyone. There are always those "special" people. As our society in general becomes less respectful of others this spills over into the ham community. It was inevitable. It really is sad, especially for those old enough to remember first hand how it was.

[@UndyingShadow83]

The internet used to operate the same way, until the entire world realized they could be jackholes at will and face no consequences, and that the algorithms rewarded such behavior. Soon this "internet discourse" leaked into real life, and of course it would spread to radio as well.

[@michael-n5zr]

Sorry, nostalgia is crap, people aren't any more rude now than they were in the 50's. There's just a giant cesspool called the internet sharing it for all to see.

[@BowWowPewPewCQ]

Do you live under a rock, just generally ignorant or a troll? Your comment is the most ridiculous thing I've read in many weeks. I find it oddly coincidental that you make such a disrespectful and false statement on the very same media you call a cesspool. What does that make you by your own definition? Are you a floater or a sinker? To think that the US culture has not changed in 70 years is akin to believing the earth is flat.

[@jorgezuni2818]

Everyone that has a legal call- sign is permissible to use that frequency . All call sign # are the owners 😅

[@happyjack880]

The whole world is going to hell in a handbasket. I guess Ham radio isn't immune to it. People just treat each other like crap anymore. No manners. There is no consideration for others. Abhorrent behavior everywhere. Not the world I grew up in. Damn sad.

[@axandio]

It's not everywhere and everyone... but it is increasingly more and more people, especially Marxist indoctrinated "educated" people.

[@W2QH]

10-4 good buddy.

[@kenthufford743]

Many Carribean private boats and sailboats have HF onboard and do use them.

[@gooshy8312]

Ok, that jibes with my memory. Thanks!

[@Meancat3]

Agreed-it’s mostly sailboats from my experience as well

[@TheNuttyHam]

Yes but not on ham bands. They have their own frequencies.

[@dreupen]

Who uses an HF radio on a boat? I do on my sailboat(in FL). It is the reason why I got my amateur license. I first installed a FT-981 along with a raspi for downloading WX gribs via Winlink. I never planned on being a ham, but got hooked. I operate on local repeater and HF nets, HF digital, DMR, APRS, 2m/70cm mobile, satellites, built and operate a fox hunt transmitter. Like many hams I own a half dozen HTs, 2 mobile rigs, FTdx10, a old boat anchor 1970s Tempo One (old tube rig which was a neighbors dad), and I'm always looking(I'm pointing at you X6200). "Marine SSB" radios like the Icom IC-M803 are channelized HF radios that are overpriced. The FT-891 is Mars modified to transmit on the Marine HF bands. That said, I operate on the amateur bands both digital(mostly JS8Call) and voice. I enjoy sailing to national parks along the Gulf coast for POTA activation. It's a lot of fun. While I don't use the Marine HF bands, it nice to know that I can call out in an emergency. Funny that the MMN is not well known to maritime operators. The Marine HF Emergency calling freqs are USB: 4.125 MHz, 6.215 MHz, 8.291 MHz, and 12.290 MHz. These are monitored by the Coast Guard(& equivalents), marine commercial, and some marine pleasure yachts. If I'm offshore sinking beyond cell or Marine VHF reception, I'll be calling these frequencies before utilizing the Amateur bands. But if the shit really hits the fan, then I'll hit the distress button on my EPIRB, a 406 MHz Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon.

[@cavertiny]

Spot on and well said. Agree the CG absolutely monitors the Marine HF freq's. I would never try to call for help at sea on an amateur band. Great call on the EPIRB. As a mariner, if your radio is on you are required to monitor for maritime distress calls.

[@spaceflight1019]

The El Faro had a EPIRB. In the bridge audio recorder transcript there is no indication that they ever used the radio for anything.

[@scottmccormick4168]

The crab boat and some of the other fishing vessels here in Alaska do have hf onboard. Also here in Alaska we have an emergency calling frequency of 5167.5 and we do conduct a net monthly on this frequency as amateur radio operators in conjunction with the state of Alaska and DHS/FEMA as authorized by the FCC under 47 CFR § 80.387. Scott KL7SLM

[@spaceflight1019]

I'd like to see if I can hear anything, so when is the Alaska net on?

[@PanelsUpSolar]

I think the thing that everyone needs to remember is that emergency traffic should be priority. If you are in the middle of a rag chew or just calling CQ, if someone comes on frequency with emergency traffic, it needs to become the priority. I don’t know that anyone has argued against that. Having a frequency that a person in distress can go to that is monitored is a nice benefit for sure. Especially if the people monitoring the frequency have training and information at their fingertips to render assistance as quickly as possible. If you choose to make contact on the frequency, then be prepared. Kind of like sitting in the emergency row of an airplane. But for a group to run people off the frequency is wrong. On the flip side, if I was on a sinking boat and needed help fast, there are plenty of ways for people to reach out for aid. But if HF was my only way, I may go to that frequency first but in reality I think I would probably end up spinning the dial and finding the best signal on the air and putting out my distress call if I did not get a fast response.

[@ralphki5nuk130]

Most cruisers, people that live aboard their boat, have HF radios on the boats. Until very recently HF was the only means these boats had to get weather, email, and communications.

[@spaceflight1019]

When the KV4FZ issues on 14.313 began 40 years ago one of Herb's sticking points was unlicensed people using ham radio and fake callsigns to avoid having to pay for phone service. Ham radio is supposed to be used for unimportant and emergency communication and people would be using it to order food, fuel, and port services.

[@NI9R]

The HF on a boat thing....just last week Gregg (K6EGG) made a contact with a freighter that was running across the Pacific from Hawaii to California so it was a Maritime Mobile contact. I've also heard about HF on cruise ship. I believe I came across a transmission and pulled up the operators QRZ page for a cruise ship captain that was making contacts from the ships HF radio and I was even able to use the Marine Traffic app to validate the ships position down off the coast of Mexico. So I think on some larger ships, this really is a thing. Thanks for all the great content! Cheers & 73, NI9R.

[@carson3210]

Sports Fishing boats use hf all the time as they go offshore 50-200 miles to the Gulf Stream

[@spaceflight1019]

Unless it's changed you can hear Gulf shrimp boats speaking Creole on 10 meters.

[@mikehemeon2473]

§ 97.107. All frequencies are shared. No frequency is assigned for the exclusive use of any amateur station. Station control operators cooperate in selecting transmitting channels to make the most effective use of the frequencies.

[@granitebuilt5836]

How does a closed repeater fit into this rule?

[@Apollo.308]

Well in this case repeaters are not allowed in this particular frequency range to my knowledge

[@mikehemeon2473]

Repeater owners don't own the frequencies either. Repeaters are expensive and usually the people that are allowed on it pay to keep it up. Back in the day they made VHF and UHF usage on the ham bands explode.

[@granitebuilt5836]

@mikehemeon2473 So let's say a vhf/uhf repeater has a pl tone but someone is transmitting on the input frequency without setting the correct pl tone on their transceiver, will the repeater input frequency be usable by another station if the repeater is not triggered by a pl tone? I understand there is great expense in building/maintaining a repeater but it always confused me when they say the frequencies are not owned but then in some repeater directories there are listed repeaters indicated as closed which then only makes the frequency pair usable by a select group of operators.

[@mikehemeon2473]

@@granitebuilt5836 Without a P/L tone you won't activate the repeater, but if someone else is trying to use the repeater with a P/L tone, it will jam them depending upon the power of the two stations (FM Capture Effect). If you suspect that is what is happening, check the input frequency of the repeater.

[@DarkShadowCustoms]

I don't recall anything on the General exam about the Maritime Mobile Net or any other net using 14.300 MHz as their designated frequency. What I do remember is only emergency traffic has priority and that no one owns a frequency.

[@KS0JD]

There are sometimes, in case of real emergency ie Hurricane or the likes, that the Maritime net requests the specific use of a frequency for emergency traffic. Again that is a request. As far as boats many of the large sailboats do carry HF as well as satellite communication equipment. As a matter of fact many of the power users of Win-link are sailboat operators. Its a great way to communicate with family. I enjoy the different news articles you bring to you channel about the hobby. Keep them coming!! 73

[@dmacduir7814]

Awesome channel! I am an FCC-licensed GROL (commercial General Radio operator License), GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress Safety System) Operator/Maintainer, and credentialed Merchant Mariner with USCG STWC (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) endorsement for GMDSS. Yes, HF & MF play a part in merchant shipping communications and a large portion of the practical and written test. 73.

[@billpawley2849]

Mainly Yachts (of all sizes) may have HF capability. Commercial Ships usually have a Sat-Based system and no longer have a traditional "radio room/officer" on board. I used to keep 14.300 dialed up for background noise at my work (avionics repair in the Navy) and have heard more than a few "emergency" comm's take place. After retirement from the "canoe club", I kept it in my 18-wheeler. I have heard the CG come up on 14.300 and make announcements during an emergency. 14.300, as far as I know, has always been a good place to go check out a rig/antenna/etc, let people know a location as a backup to other comm's. No, the MMN or anyone "owns" a frequency, but, some places should be recognized as if SHTF, there is a frequency(S) that can be used for communications.

[@zmihnea]

According to my Maritime Radio textbook: MF and HF frequencies are normally only found on vessels engaged in ocean voyages.

[@spaceflight1019]

50 years ago the Great Lakes commercial vessels all had 2 MHz AM radios. They were replaced when the FCC introduced the VHF marine band. All of the comms between the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Arthur Anderson were on VHF. That was 1975.

[@dahlia695]

I think large jets that run transoceanic routes have HF radios. I think a lot of them also have satellite comms and telemetry.

[@spaceflight1019]

They can be found in the 8 MHz region and use DTMF selective calling.

[@BigJohnsHamShack]

Xiegu, ouch Though I don't have one... As long as we follow the existing precedent, this should be readily resolved. We will hold the inaugural meeting of the merged Oklahoma Radio Relay League and its southern brother league, the Texas Radio Relay League, this evening. Our first order of business will be to establish a policy stating that our club will only accept oversites supplied by the Federal Communication Commission. We chose to abide by the band agreement set forth by the ARRL, but we do not recognize the ARRL as an authoritarian organization or possess the authority to impose any forms of oversight or enforcement. Members of ORRL and TRRL concur. I would also like to nominate Ham Radio 2.0 as our first club President.

[@HamRadio2]

Ha!

[@PaulGriffith]

Private sailboats that sail offshore will have HF radios which are referred to as SSB. Some have opted for using AIS, sat phones, and sat based internet in lieu of SSB. The Icom IC-78 is one of the SSB models. The coastal sailors will have handheld and/or mobile VHF marine radios which have their range limits.

[@wright1049]

Paul hit the nail on the head with this. I’m in the process of fitting out my sailboat with the equipment above, with an active AIS (VHF frequencies) as one of the tools for collision avoidance. HF/SSB works, but my USCG buddies recommend EPIRB for out of range emergency alert to assist with SAR recovery. HF can work for communication and download GRIB files, but Starlink is easier ($$). InReach is reliable as well. Same principle as extreme over landing, just a bit more drama for rescue.

[@spearsjg]

I had a 34' sailboat with HF I sailed out South Carolina. Used an insulated backstay as my antenna. There are other boating related nets such as the Water Way Net 7.268 providing service to boats primarily along the east coast and Caribbean. Many sailors use winlink for email and weather while sailing. I have also heard traffic on the Maritime Net assisting boaters in distress such as a boat that lost power and ended up in Cuban waters and was greated by the Cuban Coast Guard. HF was their primary link to the US to get help from the State Department to address their situation. I am not even sure the stranded sailors had an amateur license but it was clearly an emergency and appropriate use of the band. Having a go to frequency for help has its obvious advantages even though the frequency is not owned and courtesy is always appropriate. Band conditions can change quickly and two separate conversations can quickly become one with both complaining about interference when in fact it was just a changing band. I've seen this many times. Let's all relax.

[@elsuperpollo2273]

I have a VHF mobile transceiver, in my boat I been customizing for rowing. In the future when i either get a 25 foot trawler ot sailing cruiser I plan on running HF. If I had a ocean rower I'd run a HF radio in it as well.

[@jbpiper50]

Jason, good comments. As to HF on large boats, I worked offshore on drill ships, bargers and services boats for the oil industry. Ever boat I was on had a maritime radioman with ham equipment on board. I cannot say if all boats have them, but in the 20 years I was out there, all the ones I was on did. I even carried new gear out for a couple because buying in the states was cheaper than overseas equipment for same models. Jim NR5ED

[@CanyoneerDuke]

Very informative. Thank you for gathering the info and posting this.

[@terrymccarthy6271]

Many small vessels making off shore voyages operate HF radio. Many jurisdictions require either HF or satelite communication capabilty before giving clearances for small vessels to sail offshore. New Zealand is one of those. Although I only sail on the NZ coast I have HF to cover gaps in VHF system. Gaps arise because of local topography close inshore in some areas.

[@tomcat1fl]

Great video (series) and great point on not being rude. I’ve checked in to MMN many times and I’ve also checked in to Intercon, but it’s been a while. To answer your question, yes, some commercial ships do use HF, but more commonly I’ve seen MMN as support for folks on small sailboats crossing the open seas. I’ve never directly heard emergency traffic, but I have heard about emergency traffic where the Coast Guard was summoned to provide emergency support. I think this is why the net strives to be on 14300, boats at sea don’t monitor 24x7 but they need to know that they can fire up their rig and tune to a discrete frequency and get help if needed. As amateur operators we all know, or are supposed to know, that no frequency belongs to a specific person or group, it’s one of the test questions when we’re licensed. People focus on and use amateur radio for a multitude of different purposes, some folks like CW, others like FT8 and/or SSB. A lot of folks are into contesting, POTA, SOTA and a myriad of other activities. The key is cooperation. If we don’t cooperate people will get uptight and you have drama that we see in the 14300 that you shed light on. I heard, two days ago with my own ear holes, on 14300 someone call CQ and someone who was not an NCS request the person to move up or down 5. It did not sound confrontational to me, but people have different levels of tolerance. Personally, since I know about this net, I would avoid 14300 for POTA/SOTA and other stuff. The real key is being polite when asking folks to move off. You hit the nail on the head when you said folks should not be rude, but I’m adding that folks should cooperate… I’ve been the subject of crusty codgers running me off of a frequency that I was unaware a net was scheduled on. It’s really easy to understand and say no problem I’ll find another frequency. Thanks for all you do to attempt to educate the uneducated.

[@WilnetOutdoors]

As a boat nut AND a radio nut, I love the Maritime Mobile Net. It's not really an emergency frequency per se, but I know of a couple of cruising sites that specify 14.300 for info or emergency relay etc. The idea is that even the Coast Guard isn't monitoring marine HF as much as they used to with the advent of cheap satellite technology etc., but as we like to say in HAM radio "When all else fails". I think that is basically the idea. Every 30 min, they call for marine mobile stations in need of any kind of assistance or weather or a relay or anything and I think at the top of the hour they read all the Marine weather reports, similar to what you would get in an HF weather fax onboard a ship. They also announce any alerts on current missing vessels, giving the last known location and then call for anyone with info on them. So the whole idea is that I know that I can spin my dial to 14.300 almost any time and they will be there. If you are on a sailboat in the middle of the Atlantic and your Inreach goes over the side, it might come in handy. All that being said, 99% of the time, it's just a really long check in net and I can totally see how it annoys people on such a crowded band. But as I said, I like it. I know if I get a new radio or antenna, I can always go to 14.300 and check in for a signal report. :) On and by the way - I don't think any of these old school nets like this should be above moving to another frequency.

[@KC2BKM]

I am not a net guy but I always gave respect to The Maritime net because of their long standing, and it it was for emergency purposes. Hams trying to do good things, A useful net! who would have thought. But with modern tech on sailing ships that they are required to have or should have such as emergency beacons, etc It's probably outlived its usefullness by a couple decades at least. Appreciate your intelligent responses to a touchy subject instead of adding to the noise. Good Stuff.

[@danielmetcalf3260]

One of my coolest contact was a Russian Radio Operator on a Russian Oil tanker in the Indian Ocean while I was in MD operating FT-891 at 50 watts on a Hustler 6-Btv - 73 de W3DMJ

[@McPilot_W3DDS]

I live near the ocean in Fort Lauderdale, FL. There are a lot of sail boats out that go off shore (>20 miles) and are out of range of land VHF stations. Many of them are amateur radio operators and use HF

[@robincross4625]

On a cruise, I nicely asked to see the radio equipment and talked with the radioman. They have permanently installed radios for 3 different situations. The specific use and frequency is dictated by the range needed. They do indeed have HF radios on cruise ships.

[@kapplerphoto]

It used to be when I operated commercial boats in 1980-90s, if you were a commercial vessel more than 25 miles offshore (presumably out of VHF range) you needed a radio capable of transmitting on 2182khz which would be equivalent to Channel 16 on marine VHF. I had a FCC license to use that radio. I think since satellite phones have taken over that this is no longer a requirement. I also think that USCG has some better capabilities to receive further than that now with very high towers, etc, the guy that designed the current USCG radio system worldwide is in my club. I talked to a Captain of a cargo ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean last week, he said said he had a personal 7300 hooked up and also the ship was equipped with a HF radio, like trans Atlantic aircraft are.

[@charlessmith3739]

I’ve heard Colin (of Parlay Revival) talk about having an HF radio on his cruising sailboat. He sort of mentioned it in passing when talking about his communication capabilities, with most folk wondering how he maintains internet connections. Satellites.)

[@jslawsby]

I have a house in the British Virgin Islands and one of the big fishing families used HF to keep in touch when they would be hundreds of miles apart. I also know long haul sailors that use it to keep in touch and pass traffic.

[@KT4RAM]

Of course VHF Marine band has distance limitations. Many large freighters have HF Radios on board. I have talked to several. One Captain out of Sri Lanka I have talked to three different times in the past couple of years. I have also talked on HF to smaller ships and vessels as well as an oil rig. I've known about 14.300 for many years so out of respect I don't bother them. Monitoring the frequency for maritime traffic I see no issue with it, but don't see a need for a lengthy active net. Difficult to monitor if everyone is rag chewing on a net. I am mostly a DX operator (SSB) so I most often look for DX stations, however, I will acknowledge POTA whenever I hear them and have logged several over the years except on the WARC bands Due to their relatively small bandwidth of 100 kHz or less. POTA has exploded in activations in the past couple of years they are now everywhere. I haven't even logged into my account for months. Enjoy and stay safe. 73

[@seattlejeeper5220]

A lot of offshore sail boats run marine HF or SSB. I ran one on my atlantic crossing. Didnt get much use at all.

[@JonathanKayne]

So before we start operating, we normally say something along the lines of "is this frequency in use?". If its so dang important, then the net should be alerting people during this phase. If I was on 14.302 and someone told me about the net, I would probably reply with "you should have spoken up when I asked if the frequency is in use half a dozen times and didn't hear anything. If there is an emergency let me know and I will stop if and when that happens"

[@tomcat1fl]

If asked I would move, if rudely told to move I’d probably not move. Politeness and cooperation go a long way at resolving problems. Sometimes folks can’t hear a call to see if a frequency is in use and don’t notice anything until there’s more activity on the frequency.

[@rjzach52]

I've never heard cruise ships or freighters on 14.300. However, I have heard blue water sailboats reporting in on 14.300. They often check in to report their L-L as a last fix in case they later run into bad problems. But the only real answer is that ham courtesy should prevail.

[@Spoutloud]

This is a topic that REALLY needs to be discussed. Please keep up the great "education".

[@mungbungholio]

Most of the people running HF at sea are sailboats. They make special isolators so you can use your back stay (the cable that holds the mast up) as an antenna.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I did an activation on 14.302 yesterday and had no complaints nor was I asked to move. As you mentioned, I asked if the frequency was clear a couple of times, got no response, and then activated for about 30 minutes. I totally forgot about the Maritime Mobile net otherwise I would probably have picked another frequency. Having said that, either the net wasn't going at the time I was activating or I was weak enough not to interfere.

[@JamesDElliott]

I had QSO with a guy on 50 sailboat who travels from Maine to the Panama Canal and up to Alaska and back. I caught him off the east coast of Florida. We chatted for hours as he played with his antenna. We were able to talk on the side with EchoLink as he had StarLink. Much fun!

[@spaceflight1019]

Bandwidth. You're partially correct. The reason why you should never operate within 3 kHz of a band edge is because the unused sideband is not entirely eliminated, but only reduced. If you're on 20 meters the lower limit is 14.153, not 14.150 for American stations. The upper limit is 14.347 to stay under the 14.350 band edge.

[@HamRadio2]

The lower portion doesn't matter because you're on upper sideband. But you're correct about 14.350

[@jamieh9551]

HF IS required on maritime vessels. I remember this from my GROL test. It has something to do with Size, international travel, and over a certain number of passengers.

[@MrAlanmcd]

Surely the MMN NCS should run an educational announcement from time to time, reminding stations who are listening, what their rights and obligations are. They should also update their website to remove the contentious content. It may require a petition from other amateurs, sent to the NCS to achieve this.

[@robincross4625]

At my station I have adjusted the TX bandwidth to the narrowest while still making it reasonable to listen to. Almost any of the newer transceivers can be adjusted this way, This helps minimize interference and puts the unamplified Transceiver power to the best use. I am using one of Dr Bobs microphones which also makes the speech curve a little bit better to get through QRN. I get compliments on my audio on a regular basis.

[@N2YTA]

I think ocean going pleasure boats do have HF radios. The idea of an emergency net at a specific time at a specific frequency lets the mariners know who to call in the event of an emergency. When the MMN starts, before asking for check ins they ask if anyone has emergency traffic.

[@timkrumholz2609]

HF is used for cross ocean communication. The same as HF is used for cross ocean communication for aircraft. The Coast Guard has published frequencies for HF as does the FAA.

[@awwaldo]

I know a lot of sail boats that use HF when they do a lot of long distant travels. Merchant (cargo) ships used to use HF exclusively when out at sea but satellite communications, being more reliable, has replaced that, however, I would think they still have HF as a backup plan. Overseas flights use HF comms a lot, but they have their own ground stations to communicate with and wouldn't be on the Amateur bands unless all else failed...

[@pearce100]

I haven't dug through all the comments to see if I'm duplicating this, so I'll be brief. There are 'lots' of small craft with HF capability, most of them with ham licenses. I'm going to leave that 'lots' undefined, cuz I don't know how to define it. Certainly more than dozens, probably hundreds. Could be thousands, probably not tens of thousands. Well, I guess I sort of defined it. Many of them are sailboats, and it's quite the thing to figure out how to make an end-fed or a dipole out of your mast stays. And the saltwater ocean makes a pretty good counterpoise. Along the east coast there's a morning net on 7268 with a few dozen check-ins from actual watercraft, and a few others from land base fixed and mobile stations. It's also something of a thing for sailors to get a ham license just so they can have that extra HF capability beyond the Maritime HF frequencies. A lot of it is for packet mail system. Some of them broaden their ham radio interest beyond just what they need for their sailboat. As for 14.300, I've certainly been aware of that for decades. I've checked in, as you have on rare occasions while mobile. But I don't really know much about it. And I have not followed the Reddit threads at all. As a practical matter, if A group is publishing a frequency is a place to go if you have an emergency, they need to have a continuous presence. They're not likely to maintain that if it's just a listening post, waiting weeks or months for a call to appear that they can act on. So instead, you maintain as much activity as possible on the frequency with a net control taking General check-ins, making weather reports, etc. And on occasion we have heard stories of ships in distress in the ocean, usually those small ships and sailboats, getting assistance from the stations on the net. It sounds to me like a valuable service. I respect what they're doing. I'm not surprised if some of their supporters go overboard in attempting to protect the frequency. Hams are legend for doing that. This is one of those things that if it were duplicated dozens or hundreds of times, it would be ridiculous. The spectrum couldn't support it. But we can support having one. And in those decades I've been listening, it appears we just have one. K4AAQ

[@kweeks10045]

I've had this happen on 40m numerous times. I keyed up and asked if the frequency is in use and given my callsign. I had a guy come back and say that this frequency is always in use, but they wouldn't give their callsign.

[@angeldelvax7219]

"I need to talk to a famous youtuber. Can you help me? "..... O, wait, I just did XD Thank you for making these video's. I'm Dutch, so I don't know a lot about what's going on in the US. And most youtube channels with interesting and educational HAM information are US based, so it's good to know a little about what's happening over there. I'm also sticking to VHF / UHF for now, and really focusing on the tech side more than contacting people worldwide, but that may change in the future. Having some updates like these are really useful to me. Keep it up! Thank you!

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks

[@victorcharlie7491]

"This is my frequency! there are many like it, but this one"..., is mine! Great video tnx Man!

[@ess2870]

Sailboats will usually have the HF capabilities. They use the mast for the antenna. Great way to get your email while in deep water with win link.

[@danmartin3522]

I ran HF on my 32 ft Sail Boat for 12 years. Using Kenwood and Icom radios and an SGC tuner tuning the backstay. Dan ~ KC4GO There were many small boats that ran HF

[@k9eihamradio]

I think the MMN had a purpose back in the good ole days, but just like ARES it has outlived its usefulness because of the advancement of technology.

[@slick8086]

Big Ships have HF but are prolly moving to satellite, but a small number of pleasure sailors have HF. The ICOM M803 is a "marine" radio that you can have "unlocked" to operate more like a ham radio, not sure if dealer requires you to have the right amateur license before they unlock it though.. as I understand it there are several layers of unlocking, don't quote me though my memory is hazy. Additionally people use HF digital mode to get weather files called GRIB files, that integrate into marine navigations systems.

[@robertknight5024]

I have heard many hams over the years who owned ocean going boats. These hams usually use hf to stay in contact with the mainland so if they run into problems they can get help. It is a great idea for safety on the high seas. 73...

[@Mastertexan]

onus: noun: a difficult or disagreeable obligation, task, burden, etc., burden of proof, blame or responsibility.

[@danielkingshott2659]

My friend has a boat that's large enough to require AIS, his ship has an ICOM 20m Maritime radio..... it has a number of channelised sideband frequencies and certain digital modes for things like emergency paging etc.

[@kapplerphoto]

If the net is there for emergency traffic, I would hate to use may last breath to call for help and not get thru because somebody in overalls and a "Who Farted" hat was going on and on about the weather and the consistency of his last poop. Emergency freq should be silent unless emergency exists. Sometimes I think these net people are exercising the only time in their lives when they feel important, then go back upstairs and get yelled at by their wife

[@HamRadio2]

14.300 isn't on 80M so you don't really get the hip surgery guys on here. Also, 14.300 is NOT an emergency frequency, as I demonstrated in this video.

[@CampervanCookout]

Struggling to see how a net can be classed as emergency. I can see how leaving 14.300 clear makes sense so genuine emergencies can have a clear freq but likewise a regular net does mean people will be on frequency if there is an actual emergency. Either way no operator owns a frequency totally agree.

[@crewdawg257]

I have HF on multiple boats, its one of the reasons I got my ticket. It is incredibly common for cruisers or anyone crossing oceans to have HF onboard. Conveniently the back stay is often the HF antenna on sailboats.

[@HamRadio2]

Good info

[@robertmeyer4744]

great video. I have learned some tricks with my IC 7300 with tune-able filters. when a station 3 KC away causing QRM . adjusting filters can help a whole bunch. this does hurt some stations trying to get back to me that are off frequency. when bands get crowed i tighten my filters . this does effect sound quality on RX .but can be the difference of a copy or not. for POTA the job is to get them in the LOG. not all radios can do this and some better then others. with so many NETS going on and at different times . hard to find a clear channel . during solar minimum this not so much a problem. 73's

[@tchambers807]

EDIT: there is a question on the general license exam that says "Except during emergencies, no amateur station has priority access to any frequency". Again, pretty unambiguous. there is a question on the tech exam that says the only answer is to negotiate continued use of the frequency. i feel like that is pretty unambiguous but i don't have a license so what do i know lol

[@miket7184]

Every time I 'borrow' a frequency to activate a POTA park, someone just feels the need to come in and tune up on MY frequency! 😂

[@HamRadio2]

Lol

[@AF5IX]

46 CFR § 28.245 covers what comms equipment you are supposed to have on your vessel. Basically if you stay with 20 Miles of the coast line just VHF, 20 Miles to 100 Miles a 2-4 MHz HF Radio over 100 Miles a 2-27.5 MHz Radio. There are exceptions, like Sat Coms are allowed, and Cellphones, but I wouldn't depend on those for an emergency.

[@HamRadio2]

Cell phones would be useless at sea. But I think a Sat Phone is a good idea

[@oldfartonabmx2122]

Exactly - If it's a "Maritime Mobile Net", then you should actually be "Maritime Mobile". Many yachts have marine HF, using one of the mast stays as the antenna, but these are marine hf frequencies, not amateur radio frequencies.

[@klutch545]

I’m new to HF and have mostly been operating 20m the past few weeks. It seems like the past week has been a free-for-all on 20m. I’ve heard more interference and more people “stepping” on others (especially those trying to do POTA) this past week. Also, as someone new to HF, man… some of those nets are just… weird. I’ll leave it at that, and I probably will never knowingly check-into an HF net

[@rlee1645]

The one spot when you can depend on someone if your in distress. Many Pleasure Boaters do have HF. Perhaps looking into the history of the Nets would be useful. They’ve e existed for many year and times have changed, but it was one spot I know I can depend on if the situation called for the service. Many times when /p, I’ll check in to show support. Look into the service they provide, and you’ll have an understanding. Over the year some have changed and we are certainly not the gentleman we use to be, as to many agreements are coming into question now a days. 73’s.

[@W2JLDRoc-ham]

I heard the chatter about this and i found it to be very interesting...there are many that claim that they are on a frequency everyday that no one else can use that frequency...I have also found that there are folks that tune up on a station as they are in the middle of a qso.....when is it normal to tune up on a freq that is already in use...what has ham radio come too...are there entitlement people who feel they are so special they have to ruin other people's experience on ham radio. They are many maritime boats that have hf, there was a ship that was traveling from singapore to nc and there was a lad who was on the air several times this week making contacts, he was running a icom7300 and had a end fed on the ship, so yes there are folks out there doing hf from a maritime mobile situation...

[@gooshy8312]

Back in the early 90s, I thought everybody had hf ship-to-shore radios. This was on my cousin's boat, a Hatteras 52 ft. sport fisherman. HF might have been required for charters...? I dunno. He had lotsa nice gear, including vhf direction finding on one radio. Color weather radar, state of the art sonar, etc. Never failed to catch something.

[@mikesradiorepair]

Do ships use HF, it depends. Equipment requirements for GMDSS ships vary according to the area (or areas) in which a ship operates. Coastal ships for example only have to carry minimal equipment if they do not operate beyond the range of shore based VHF stations (Sea Area A1). Ships which trade further from land are required to carry MF equipment in addition to VHF (Sea Area A2). Ships which operate beyond MF range are required to carry HF and/or Inmarsat equipment in addition to VHF and MF (Sea Areas A3 and A4).

[@opsecchief8184]

Sailboats, and most ocean going ships. Have HF on board. I get the concept of the MMN being a 24/7 NET because they're in place for "emergencies". So sure, someone from their service is likely monitoring the frequency. Okay. Here's the deal. If the MMN is actively using the frequency doing a net, ie- taking check-ins, broadcasting missing vessel info etc... then the frequency is in use. Another operator will not attempt to take over the frequency. If, for example, a POTA station monitors 14.300, hears nothing and then uses the frequency . It is then in use by that POTA station. If an actual emergency pops up on frequency ... Does anyone actually believe the POTA station, or any other operator, will not give way and or assist with that emergency? This isn't about control of that frequency. It's about those monitoring that frequency only wanting to hear traffic they need to hear. If the FCC deemed their nets so important we would have a FCC rule protecting that frequency +/- 10 khz. A lot of vessels have, and some still use hf for ship to shore coms. Many consider it a boat anchor and use iridium or other sat based communications primarily. By logic this argument is dumb. Merely fuled by hoa Karen net participants.

[@n8ibz1]

Now everyone will zone into 14.300, thanks for the video

[@HamRadio2]

Hopefully everyone is polite, like I requested in the video

[@cendrillon1978]

HF is standard on boats. SSB. They run antennas on their backstays. They run in their own frequencies under a seperate license.

[@stephanhersey1186]

Marine HF is on most large ships and many smaller boats that cruise the oceans. Local pleasure craft that just are used for day fishing and day and weekend sailing don't have Marine HF. Ham radio is disappearing on the ocean cruising boats, as well. At one time the sailing community that cruised the oceans were avid ham and Marine HF operators but that is waning, due to the increase in satellite communications. I participate in a daily ham radio maritime service net on 40 meters that serves boats in Mexican waters and along the west coast. We provide weather for the area that we can cover. In the past we provided phone patches and relays to the boaters families but as I said that is disappearing do to cell and satellite communications. You are right, no one owns the frequencies. But every time I try to hold a QSO in what is understood to be the SSTV portion of the band, I can't. Hmmm. Do they own the frequency? Enjoy your videos, Steve, k7ofg.

[@TheNuttyHam]

Yes there is HF in the marine world, they just call it sideband. But yes alot of boats out in the ocean use it, truthfully the maritime mobile net is a joke, ships in distress are not going to be getting on 14.300 ever. They have their own frequencies they use outside of the ham bands and with all the other ships out there monitoring those frequencies is going to be able to help alot faster than trying to get ahold of some lid on land with ham bands.

[@mrpolite01]

Owns means you own something. Own’s means a person named Own owns something. Just because English is dead. I thought I’d mention the long-since passed away apostrophe-s and how to properly use it.

[@itmeng]

As a mariner I have never heard 14.3 as an emergency frequency.

[@davecreek6299]

No it is not. BUT Hams use it to carry out Maritime business NOT actual Amateur stuff. Have a listen. We had a chap who asked at a Club meeting if people would make contacts else where. I was not a member otherwise I would have said the spiel about amateurs doing ham stuff are using it as intended - but I didn't. Dave ZL3DRC

[@MedusalObligation]

I have HF on my Catalina 22 sailboat. Even with a VHF antenna on top of the mast, the range is limited. In an emergency I stand a better chance on HF.

[@JoeSoubie]

I did hear a Norwegian freighter on 20 meters yesterday. It was on the extra part of the bsnd, so I couldn't call him. He was strong to me in Phoenix. So some must have them. I suppose they use satellite links for regular communications. 73's KG7COA

[@Colin_In_VK]

They do know the Maritime Distress frequencies, not ham frequencies In the MF/HF marine bands are 2182 kHz, 4125 kHz, 6215 kHz, 8291 kHz, 12290 kHz or 16420 kHz. If they are maritime mobile in Distress they would use the Marine Radio, not ham radio frequencies, This sounds more like just a ham chat frequency for boaties? Most pro fishing boats (trawlers and the like) in VK have HF Marine radios & so do all Large Ships and a lot of Yachts. They all have VHF Marine radios as well, even normal every Day recreational boats are starting to get VHF marine radios installed as we have so many repeaters and listening Stations around the coast, plus almost all recreational boats have 27Mhz marine on board (27.880 am channel 88 is the call/emergency channel). In VK you need a Licence and have to pass an exam to use VHF Marine Radios, like you do MF/HF Marine Radios, the international qualification for MF/HF radio is the Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) & for VHF Marine it is the Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP), you can also do an easier exam for VHF marine radio for use in Australian Waters only called the Australian Waters Qualification (AWQ).

[@user-pf4ep5vk7h]

Quit talking with logic. Don’t you know this is the internet. 😂

[@itmeng]

If you are going off the intercostal waters boats have HF radios, aircraft too. Not sure if it’s still a coast guard requirements but a SSB used to be. These days however it’s the exception rather than the norm as satellite comms have gotten wicked cheap where you have a more reliable method of communication versus trying to guess propagation on different bands. Elon with starlink has also made it even more cheap to the point where you can stream Netflix from the middle of the Atlantic for very reasonable(relatively) rates. Granted nothing beats the reliability of not having to deal with satellites, but radio does have a larger learning curve than some of the more modern methods of satellite communications.

[@johnnieshowalter8155]

I had a Maritime Mobile out in the Atlantic make a contact during a POTA activation.

[@HamRadio2]

I've done that also

[@DSD]

Hmm I might have done POTA on or near that frequency. I had no clue about a scheduled 24/7 net and I’m a new general so I just did the is the frequency in use. Honestly had someone said “yes” I would’ve moved. I did hear what sounded like nets and people just talking as I dialed around so I just moved. I thought, from the test, that you listen, listen some more, ask if the frequency is in use a couple time and use your call sign and then go for it. Man I tell you some of these people are just making this not fun or not worth the hassle. OBTW I did my first 2 fer activation on Saturday. That was fun. Think my setup sucks because it was rough to get 11 contacts SSB and even harder for 3 FT8.

[@kelvin0mql]

So many of you guys saying “24/7”. It’s not. Intercon is 0700-1200 Eastern. 5 hours. MMSN is 1200-2200 Eastern. 10 hours. That leaves 9 hours that neither net is on.

[@DSD]

@@kelvin0mql maybe that was the window I was there? Although I might have that confused with my 10m attempt.

[@davep6977]

That's nice everybody who's on land can qsy off 14.300. Who's going to tell the boats? Who has HF? Almost every sail/transcontinental open waters vessel. They rely on HF once they're out of VHF range. I've heard more than one MAYDAY on 14.300. He was 100 miles offshore between Hawaii and Calif and had engine failure. I heard those MMSN boys go from casual conversation to down to business in .1 seconds. One was contacting USCG, one contacting commercial shipping to see if a cargo vessel was near-by and one calling to see if another ship could assist. Commercial ships have their own SSB band. The "nets" aren't chit chat that whole time. They're just there if a vessel needs wx or to relay a message I monitor from around the Great Lakes area. I can copy maritime mobiles quite well from here That stranded vessel might have help 30-100 miles away. Great. Think HF prorogations. Too far for VHF, too close for HF. Not everybody carries a sat phone. They need a land based ham to relay. I understand these ocean going vessels' might be crystal controlled set to 14.300. No VFO Watch a YT sailing vid sometime. Part of that sail rigging IS a HF antenna. see OldinMariner post below. He's right on point. How would you being stranded, turn your radio on and MMSN is not where they usually are? W9DLP

[@KB1UIF]

Ok, the other day, I was on 14.230, sending and receiving slowscan TV. A station started calling CQ on the frequency and never asked if the frequency was in use. Following that, many stations started responding to the station calling CQ. This often happens. The problem here is 14.230 is marked on the ARRL band plan as designated SSTV. It's internationally known for SSTV. Often, even if someone asks if the frequency is in use, it's not always possible to reply to that station quickly if your station is configured for SSTV. I tried to inform stations that the frequency was in use and was totally ignored. I was running power, and I'm pretty sure I was heard. So, who's in the wrong there? In my opinion, it should be widely known where select modes are in use and avoided. This applies to various digital modes also. What's your opinion on that? I have heard private yachts talking on the maritime net / 14.300. It's not uncommon. There used to be lots of commercial traffic on the designated portion of HF for marine comms. Obviously, the military Army, Navy, Airforce, etc, use HF still. I once heard the military on an HF Ham band after a natural disaster, I even took part in that net. It was following an earthquake on an island, and this was prior to help arriving by air and sea. There were some emergency contacts made during that net. I was quite surprised to hear the military involved on Ham frequencies, but it makes sense as the only comms left at that point were Ham stations. Thanks.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Some of the SSTV programs have morse built in. Respond with that, heh!

[@KB1UIF]

@jeffkardosjr.3825 Do you honestly think that would make a difference ? I imagine less than half the current Hams know morse code, I doubt they even know SOS !! I announced the frequency was in use, and I was ignored !!

[@n8sot]

I personally know many sailboats with HF. I have set-up a few of them. These guys run between the great lakes and florida, and beyond. I get both sides of the argument. 14.300 is a priority freq in most of these boats. They know somebody is is most likely there listening. Its kinda like the CB ch 9. Sure, you can use it for other things, but its majorly known to be the emergency freq. Most, if not all the monitors on 14.300 are trained on how to take and handle emergency traffic and dispatch the appropriate authorities, or help.This is what these people do. They live for it. And YES, they have helped people in distress. This is one of those.....its legal to do it, but doesnt mean you should, situations. Leave these people alone. why ruin a good thing just because you can? Just like CB ch 9, sure, you can do whatever you want on the freq, but everybody just knew to leave it alone. We are all gentlemen and woman here. plenty of space for everybody. The name of the game is to get along and help each other. 73 everybody. N8SOT

[@capndavey1]

Back in the 90's we were doing field day Steve was on 3.865 the guys on there said they have been on there for 20 years... I won't repeat what Steve said but it nailed it hehe

[@chrish7590]

I have made contact with Marine Mobile stations in the Pacific - mostly Sail/Sailing boats, but it was on Ham frequencies so I guess its something to do when your going between countries - but dunno about commercial shipping - they would just relay on Satellite now would they not?

[@craiglyles6898]

YL System runs 5 Days a week from 0600 to 1700 Zulu on 14.332.

[@HamRadio2]

Yes that is a common one also. I haven't heard any stories about those folks being rude, though.