Take an HT on a cruise?

[KI4NGN]

I'm leaving for an Alaska cruise this Saturday.

A friend has suggested that I take an HT with me.

I've not been on 2 meters since my AM days 37 years ago.

He recommended the Kenwood TH-F6A as a great tri-band HT with wide-band receiver, including AM and SSB reception.

I know next to nothing about repeater operations. I did find several listings for Alaskan repeaters.

It's not too late for me to have one of these units overnighted to me.

It's a vacation with my wife, and of course we're going to be having a lot of fun together, but I'm an early to bed, early to rise guy. I'll be waking at 4-5 or so each morning, even earlier considering the time difference. I started thinking about being up so early, no rig, no computer, no garage, etc, etc....so what the heck am I going to do until the rest of the ship starts waking up??

I hate to get the HT and not find any activity, and though I do have a brain, I won't be in contact with anyone if I need help setting the unit up for whatever repeaters I may be able to access.

I guess I'm wondering if it is worth it?

Any replies will be appreciated.

Mike

[k3wrv]

Mike-
I say go for it, although you may not find a lot of folk to talk to. Most just seem to "lurk". I did the same thing during a trip to MN with some results - maybe 6 QSOs, but did meet a few locals. But I kind of wanted an HT anyway, for when there's bad weather or the phone or power goes out.
Strongly recommend you also get the Repeater Mapbood Directory from ArtSci publishing (The WorldRadio guys). It includes PL tones and most of the repeaters. Not as complete or accurate as the ARRL Directory, but it has maps showing repeater locations, which is useful if you're unfamiliar with the local geography and will probably be good enough for your purposes.
[EDIT] Also take the manual or a cheat sheet with you so you'll have a clue how to operate the darned thing. These critters ain't gooney boxes, and operation is not intuitive!
de Bob

[k0cmh]

One of the biggest difficulties is to operate legally.

Our FCC rules requires us to get permission form "the master of the ship" to transmit from a ship. It doesn't matter if the ship is in international waters, we are still required by the regulations of our license to get that permission.

Most people find it difficult or impossible to get that permission. I tried on two cruises and got "NO". One reply said my 70 cm transmission COULD interfer with their navigation equipment.

However, I was able to have fun when I left the ship and used it on land. But that is yet another big hassle. If you go ashore on non-US countries, then to be legal you need whatever kind of permission (license, temperory permit, etc.) they require. That takes a lot of time to line up. However, we have a nice agreement with Canada and you don't need any pre-approval. Check the ARRL web site on the simple operating instructions you need to follow in Canada.

Any US possession, territory or state will not require any pre-approval.

I had a lot of fun on a carribean crusie. When landing on US soil (Virgian Islands, etc.) I could reach repeaters on other near-by islands that were not on US soil. Perfectly legal when operating on US soil.

Good luck and hope this works out for you.

[KI4NGN]

Thanks for the replies guys...quite helpful.

I knew that I would need permission to operate on the ship, and had thought I'd just ask when we first boarded, but I hadn't thought about it likely being a "no" answer! And sure, I could use it when we go ashore, but frankly the wife and I will be doing other things and I won't be playing ham radio then. Was mostly thinking about late night and early morning, which will be aboard the ship.

The unit I'm considering is not cheap, especially shipping for next day, and if it's likely that I couldn't get permission for shipboard operation, then it's not worth it for me.

But then again I could SWL or tune in some FM station....might be better than nothing!

Ah well, need to think about it a little more. Thanks again guys!

Mike

[W4HAY]

You'll probably find a lot more people up and about in the early hours than you suppose.

We took a HT to Hawaii, and the range from the top of the Haliakala volcano (10,000+ ft.) was astounding. Several of the locals thought I was putting them on, until I mailed out QSLs. Sad to say, quite a few of the repeater OPs seemed VHF illiterate -- and this was 15 years ago! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[wa2dtw]

I recently went on a cruise to Alaska and was contemplating bringing either an FT817 or a TH-F6A. I chickened out and decided to bring neither- the security line at the airport and on the ship are becoming more and more draconian. Would hate to have them confiscated or otherwise missing.
Enjoy the cruise. It will be fantastic.

[WA9SVD]

Your cruise is easier than many. First of all, to operate (i.e., transmit legally) while aboard, you MUST obtain permission from the "Master of the Ship," which is often considered the Captain, or whomever He delegates; it's not YOUR choice to just ask some ship's officer for permission.

Land operations are simple: Canada and the U.S. have a recipricol agreement; all you need is your license (laminate the "wallet size" original and carry it with you,) your passport (necessary now for all travel) and it would be very prudent to take along a "proof of purchase" or "proof of ownership" copy (sales receipt, etc.) or some document showing the serial number of your radio so there's no question when Customs asks about bringing anything into or out of either country. In Alaska, you would operate normally, as you do anywhere else in the U.S. in Canada, you will have to ID properly. (Check the ARRL web site for the proper way to ID; you may also have to give an approximate geographic location as well as station ID as foreign ops must do in the U.S., but you have to follow Canadian rules. With a normal, U.S. H-T (unmodified) you shouldn't have to worry about power limits or different frequency allocations.)

[N2RJ]

Quote[/b] (k0cmh @ Aug. 28 2007,07:08)]If you go ashore on non-US countries, then to be legal you need whatever kind of permission (license, temperory permit, etc.) they require. That takes a lot of time to line up.
Fortunately, it's a lot easier today, at least for Europe and the Americas.

US citizen amateurs with a US license can operate in CEPT countries without any special license, just their home license and a copy of the CEPT agreement (printed from the internet).

Similarly, US citizen amateurs can operate in several countries in the Americas with an IARP - easy to obtain, and it's from ARRL, not the FCC.

[wg7x]

Hey Mike!

Since you asked for opinions, here's mine: Just ask yourself one question.

Am I going on a cruise to play radio or just to enjoy the actual cruise?

If playing radio was your main intent, then a cruise to KL7 seems a bit weird, especially if a VHF/UHF radio would be your only equipment. If you wanted to operate /KL7 on HF, well that might be a different story...

Then, there's the other folks to consider. You don't mention whether anyone is going along with you. If you are accompanied by a friend or significant other, then thats where your attention should be, not on trying to get into repeaters along the way.

I had a friend mention this just last night. Seems that his "significant other" has rented a romantic getaway cabin on the ocean for the week end. He was wondering if he should put an HF rig in the car because propagation was so good at the beach.

Somehow, I don't think that's why his girlfriend rented the cottage...

I'm just saying!

At any rate, do what makes you feel good, and have a great time. I'm planning to do that Alaskan cruise thing myself next season.

With the XYL.

And no radio!


73 Gary
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KI4NGN]

Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ Aug. 28 2007,06:39)]Your cruise is easier than many. #First of all, to operate (i.e., transmit legally) while aboard, you MUST obtain permission from the "Master of the Ship," which is often considered the Captain, or whomever He delegates; it's not YOUR choice to just ask some ship's officer for permission.
As noted earlier, I am well aware of this requirement. When I stated "ask when I first board", I was just generalizing. I would actually ask that a request be forwarded to the captain for permission to operate.

Thanks for you reply.

[KI4NGN]

Quote[/b] (wg7x @ Aug. 28 2007,07:13)]Hey Mike!

Since you asked for opinions, here's mine: Just ask yourself one question.

Am I going on a cruise to play radio or just to enjoy the actual cruise?

If playing radio was your main intent, then a cruise to KL7 seems a bit weird, especially if a VHF/UHF radio would be your only equipment. If you wanted to operate /KL7 on HF, well that might be a different story...

Then, there's the other folks to consider. You don't mention whether anyone is going along with you. If you are accompanied by a friend or significant other, then thats where your attention should be, not on trying to get into repeaters along the way.

I had a friend mention this just last night. Seems that his "significant other" has rented a romantic getaway cabin on the ocean for the week end. He was wondering if he should put an HF rig in the car because propagation was so good at the beach.

Somehow, I don't think that's why his girlfriend rented the cottage...

I'm just saying!

At any rate, do what makes you feel good, and have a great time. I'm planning to do that Alaskan cruise thing myself next season.

With the XYL.

And no radio!


73 Gary
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Laughing.

If you re-read my post, you'll see that I am going on vacation with my wife and the purpose is to enjoy the cruise with her.

I am considering the HT for the very early mornings (or late nights) that I expect that I'll be awake when the majority of the ship is asleep. I normally wake up every day very early, and at home I have many things to keep me busy while the rest of the local world sleeps. On the ship I'm going to be twiddling my thumbs...and that was where the HT came to mind.

Thanks for the reply.

Mike

[wa2dtw]

[QUOTE] expect that I'll be awake when the majority of the ship is asleep. I normally wake up every day very early, and at home I have many things to keep me busy while the rest of the local world sleeps. On the ship I'm going to be twiddling my thumbs

The late-night entertainment will likely be keeping you up. #The food will be excellent. #The scenery spectacular. #You will also probably be going on some excursions in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, etc.
A cruise can be like a piece of heaven on earth. #I doubt that you will be twiddling your thumbs.

[K9STH]

WRV:

The Artisub on line repeater directory is generally MUCH more accurate than the ARRL published directory. Now I have no idea about their printed version. Unfortunately, the ARRL doesn't update that often and many of the entries are years old.

Now both entities are dependent on being notified of changes and additions, otherwise the information just "sits" there. But, in general, Artisub seems to get a lot more updates than the ARRL.

I would download the information on the various states involved (in fact this is what I do whenever travelling) and print it out. No cost and the information will be as up-to-date as possible.

Glen, K9STH

[KI4NGN]

Quote[/b] (wa2dtw @ Aug. 28 2007,08:33)][QUOTE] expect that I'll be awake when the majority of the ship is asleep. I normally wake up every day very early, and at home I have many things to keep me busy while the rest of the local world sleeps. On the ship I'm going to be twiddling my thumbs

The late-night entertainment will likely be keeping you up. #The food will be excellent. #The scenery spectacular. #You will also probably be going on some excursions in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, etc.
A cruise can be like a piece of heaven on earth. #I doubt that you will be twiddling your thumbs.
at 4am?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?

Yes of course we are doing excursions, etc!

As noted, this is all for something to keep me occupied when I get up at 3:30-4am.....long time before my wife or likely anyone else. THAT is when I'll be twiddling my thumbs!

[WB2WIK]

I have a somewhat different slant on this.

First, I've been on several cruises and most have been with the XYL, and about half have been with the whole family (kids, sometimes in-laws, cousins...egads). I'm also an early kind of guy and normally can't sleep past about 5:15 AM, because that's what I'm used to.

Second, I've never been denied permission to use my ham gear aboard a commercial cruise ship. Absolutely never. However, I have also never "planned" the operation only a week before the cruise!

I normally plan the operation when we book the cruise, which is typically several months in advance. I contact the cruise line and the DX ports of call and request advance permits, licenses, pay licensing fees and whatever else is required (if I think it's worth it -- sometimes, it simply isn't because it's too damned expensive) well in advance. Even a Mexican operating permit is a one-year temporary license (yes, required even of American hams -- nice neighbors) that costs about $100. If I'm only going to use it for one day, it's not worth it and I don't operate in Mexico.

Now, we do have full reciprocity and permanent agreements with Canada, and a cruise between the U.S. and Alaska is likely to be only in American waters, Canadian waters, or international waters. That's an easy one.

The things to reckon with are still the ship's registry (some cruise ships, about 30 or so, are U.S. registry; but a lot are Panamanian, Bahaman, Liberian, etc.) -- you require a permit from that country -- and also the "captain's permission," which I've never had any trouble obtaining on any cruise so far.

My last cruise on the MS. Elation (Carnival line), when I looked for the Captain to ask for permission once aboard, I found him and introduced myself as an American ham -- then he introduced himself as an Italian ham, with an I2 callsign. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif This is not so unusual.

So, there are some pluses and minuses.

However, in your specific case:

If you're not familiar with 2m FM and repeaters, etc, and are relying on a brand new, complex piece of equipment to familiarize yourself in almost zero time: This is normally not a good thing. These little rigs are complicated, menu-driven, and have many nuances that can take months to learn. I could easily see you being on the water and trying to work anybody, only to find out some cockpit error will preclude you from making any contacts at all. I can easily see that because it's happened to most of us! I'd take a few weeks to become familiar with the gear and the repeater system including CTCSS operations, and use it with "local" repeaters around "home" before taking it someplace else. The locals will be helpful in talking you through any difficulties, while total strangers 4000 miles away probably won't.

Also: There really is stuff to do on a cruise ship at 5 AM! Most cruise ships have great workout rooms with complete gyms and a walking/running track. You'll see people out there before sunrise doing it. Most cruise ships have at least one food venue that open 24 hours a day where you can always get a snack, coffee, etc at any hour. Most cruise ships are the most "peaceful" very early AM, so you can actually enjoy a soak in the deck spa or a walk around the decks, or lounging in a poolside chair reading a book before the madding crowd moves in.

I actually like being on deck on a ship at 5 AM! Watching the sun rise over the ocean can be really beautiful. Great "photo ops" there, if you're a photographer.

WB2WIK/6