[Elecraft] very small antenna

[Bob Nielsen]

A couple of other points--

In addition to the captain's permission, one must have a license (or  
CEPT permit) for the country in which the ship is registered when  
operating on the high seas.  When in port, the same is required for  
the country in which the port is located.  Most cruise ships  
operating in the U.S. seem to have Bahamas (C6) or Panama (HP)  
registration.  The Bahamas will issue reciprocal licenses while  
Panama honors the IARP.  The ARRL web site has full information on  
licensing requirements.

On Oct 8, 2005, at 4:37 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

> Those are good observations, Fred.
>
> The Captain of a passenger vessel doesn't have any leeway about  
> using the
> ship's radio gear or antennas, even the spare antennas. They are  
> all an
> integral part of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulated gear  
> and must
> not be used for anything but their stated purpose. Even old-time Radio
> Operators (SPARKS) on ships who were Hams could NOT use the Ship's  
> gear or
> antennas for Ham operation, even spare antennas they were personally
> responsible for maintaining. Those who had Ham gear on board had the
> Captain's permission and a completely independent antenna system,  
> rig and
> power source (they could plug into the ships "mains" but could not  
> use the
> radio batteries). Sparky's advantage is that he had some options for
> stringing a wire that you don't <G>.
>
> There are a lot of interesting ideas for antennas on large ships,  
> including
> some really bizarre ones that I'd love to try such as a wire from the
> fantail that connects to a metal plate that drags in the water  
> below, but
> they all require access to parts of the ship not normally available to
> passengers. About the only practical thing that comes to mind is  
> some sort
> of telescoping whip that can be clamped to a rail or port opening.  
> For a
> ground, a piece of metal or foil taped to the wall or deck would  
> form a
> capacitor through the paint to the main hull of the ship.
>

One can also use a counterpoise running back into the cabin, at least  
on the higher bands where the length of a suitable λ/4 wire will fit.

Bob, N7XY