[Elecraft] [OT] A Real SOS

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

They have a choice: Have a contract with a licensed GMDSS service company in
each port of call, and certain redundant equipment on board, or carry a
licensed GMDSS system maintainer who makes repairs on board. 

73,

Ron AC7AC (and licensed GMDSS maintainer and GMDSS operator). 

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Doug Smith
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2012 4:30 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [OT] A Real SOS

The USNS and the gray hulls in the Ready Reserve fleet all carry R/Os.  
Those ships still have real radio shacks with HF gear in them although they
get used on Mil frequencies not on maritime freqs.  Also, secure satellite,
etc.  Need a "Secret" clearance to get the job these days.

I think all the commercial ships dumped R/Os as fast as they could when
GMDSS came into being.

I actually re-licensed in 2003 and took a couple of ships over the the
Persian Gulf for OIF-I and OIF-II.  Taking the 2nd Telegraph *again* was
kinda fun..  [Ending my involvement in the thread now. Sorry to stray so far
and for so long..]

73,
-Doug, W7KF