[Elecraft] marine frequencies and k3

[George A. Thornton]

I know someone who is about to embark on an around the world sailboat
cruise.  She is not currently licensed on HAM frequencies but is going
to have a marine operator license.  She is about to acquire a marine SSB
radio.  Most of those radios are also capable of operation on HAM
frequencies.  

 

I was trying to figure out if it was possible to legally communicate
with her using my K3 from home.  

 

Can the K3 be modified to permit transmission on marine bands?

 

I want to emphasize that I am not looking for an opportunity to use the
radio for any illegal purpose.  I am only interested in operating on
marine frequencies for which I would have a valid license.  

 

Beyond this, it seems there is a potential marketing opportunity for
Elecraft in the marine community.   Ocean sailors use SSB and many of
them also end up getting a HAM license so they can also use HAM
frequencies on voyages.  The Elecraft K2 and K3 are in some ways ideal
for marine use because they are small and have relatively low power
consumption.  

 

The stresses on a marine radio are huge and most of them have been made
water  and shock resistant.  Also, marine radios require extreme
simplicity of operation because they occasionally have to be used by an
inexperienced operator during an emergency.  

 

Maybe none of this makes practical sense.  

 

Someone educate me, that is what this forum is about.

 

de George AE7G