Page 46 - Yachter Autumn 2021

46 FEATURE
MOBILE
AFLOAT/
MARITIME
MOBILE
AMATEUR RADIO
Amateur radio, also known as ham radio,
is the use of radio frequency spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange
of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emergency communication.
THE BOAT
Wild Rival, a Rival 34 – built in 1971,
of GRP. She won the 1976 Observer Singlehanded TransAtlantic Race (OSTAR) on handicap in 1975, skippered by Geoff Hales. She was temporarily fitted with a Clansman PRC 320 for the race, which enabled the yachts crewed by members of the UK Armed Services to operate a pre- arranged check-in via VHF radio, at a time when this was relatively rare.
OPERATING AFLOAT
Following relatively recent changes to licence conditions, operating afloat is now possible with all UK Amateur licences (Full, Intermediate or Foundation), within UK territorial waters.With a Full licence, one may operate on the ‘high seas’ beyond territorial waters and in other states’ territorial waters, subject to their rules and regulations. Only Full licence holders may call themselves ‘Maritime Mobile’.The Territorial sea limits of the UK, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands as shown on the map on opposite page.This is detailed in
Ofcom’s Amateur Radio Licence, Guidance for Licensees.
Even with a Foundation Licence (capped at 10W transmit power), successful communications can be achieved over significant distances.
Coastal radio stations are in decline, both in numbers, and in hours of service, which increases the benefits of amateur radio.There are no longer any UK Coast Radio Stations; the only southern North Sea / English Channel coast radio station is Ostend Radio. The majority of UK Waters will have access to an Amateur Radio Repeater onVHF/ UHF, which will allow you to speak to other Amateurs.
Amateur Radio afloat also came to
prominence in the 2018 Golden Globe Race, where vessels were only permitted to use equipment which had been available at the time of the first Golden Globe Race in 1968.A number of skippers received weather information over amateur radio, until it came to the attention of national authorities who discovered that not all the skippers were licenced and thus intervened.There are a number of amateur maritime nets around the world, especially in the popular cruising areas, which provide weather and routing information and mutual support amongst the cruising fraternity.The UK National Governing Body is the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) https://rsgb.org/