Thinking about the Bahamas. . . Again

[Russ]

Ditto. Just got another 18 inches of global warming to shovel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJUFTm6cJXM

[dlandersson]

LOL. Nicely done.

Ditto. Just got another 18 inches of global warming to shovel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJUFTm6cJXM

[Tenacious]

It sounds like you have your boat set up nicely for cruising out to the Bahamas. Only two suggestions come to mine right now. First, you might give consideration to being able to safely and conveniently carry some extra fuel in plastic jerry containers. You'll want to conservatively estimate your motoring range, especially if you plan to go beyond Bimini. Also, you might look into getting a portable SSB radio receiver for weather. NOAA weather is hard to pick up once you get to Bimini. With the SSB receiver, you can tune in at specific times of the day and receive marine weather forecasts. Cruising guides will fill you in on which frequencies to monitor, and when they broadcast. Don't forget your "Q" flag and your Bahamas courtesy flag, and then get ready to shove off.

after I read Chinooks blog for the 25th time I started looking at ssb radios ? When I look on eBay all the c.b radios with side band come up ? Those won't work right ?

CB is not a good choice for Marine use.

As an Amateur Radio Aficionado, and licensed as an Amateur Extra in the U.S., I recommend a Marine SSB transceiver and a backup HF Ham radio or multi band VHF/UHF/HF Ham Band Transceiver. Ham radio operators monitor 14.300 Mhz around the clock (myself included) to assist mariners in times of distress. Also, you can setup win link with Ham Radio to email from the ship without internet/cellular connectivity.

I agree with other posters here that the Marine SSB radios are very expensive. However, being in an emergency situation, communication (expensive or not) can be worth its weight in gold.

If you would like gear recommendations, I can steer you in the right direction.

Lastly, I would invest in an EPIRB/PLB.

Good luck,
Robert

[Sumner]

.....I agree with other posters here that the Marine SSB radios are very expensive. However, being in an emergency situation, communication (expensive or not) can be worth its weight in gold.

If you would like gear recommendations, I can steer you in the right direction. .....Good luck, Robert

I'd be interested in gear that I'd be able to tune fairly easily. I've started to research this before but gave up when it got to antenna choices on a boat and the grounding options and such. I could never find a link to....." look for this 'used' radio on the net, here is a simple ground and antenna that will work on a small boat and here is how to work the radio in a pretty timely manner".

I have gotten the Sony working lately but not on Chris's site except once on a really hard to read connection. Funny as he is in Florida?? Maybe I'm too close. I can get the radio to pick up other radios all over the place although I don't know if I could connect to the same one day after day. I've had some luck with the government 'off shore' report on one or another of the frequencies they transmit on.

Thanks,

Sumner

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