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Communications and getting the best out of them, depending on your type of sailing and where you sail.
These pages reflect my own learning curve and, to some, may well demonstrate how little I still really know. '''For many British leisure sailors and motor boaters, BBC Radio 4 with the legendary shipping forecast plus the Inshore waters forecasts, is all they ever think about and, more importantly and regrettably, all they ever use. Two points have to be borne in mind. First, the BBC has no obligation to broadcast the shipping forecast and, to some, it represents an unnecessary interruption to Test Match commentaries. Secondly, the information content in the shipping forecast is insufficient to meet any but the most basic needs.
Those who use nothing else are ignoring much valuable information available via the GMDSS that is maintained with marine safety as its sole reason. Almost as importantly, they are ignoring the Internet which is, first, a back-up or an alternative, non-operational, way of getting GMDSS weather information. More significantly, the Internet provides much extra information that is particularly useful for planning purposes. This can be of great help in keeping you out of trouble.
These pages have been produced to help sailors gain a better idea of how to use the many communications media that are open to them.
- What equipment do I require?
- How to connect the cell phone to a laptop
- How to access the Internet
- Getting forecasts using email
- Radioteletype
- Understanding NAVTEX problems
- A novice's view about HF reception problems
- Radio Fax Schedules, Northwood, DWD and Worlwide
- Why the Bracknell Radio fax ceased - all those years ago
- Do we really need RadioFax?
- Marine HF, Amateur Radio, Telephone or INMARSAT?
- What is the future of the GMDSS?
- A warning shot from the US Coastguard
