Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

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Part 3: Getting from Point A to Point B: Marine Navigation
Boat Bytes
For years, VHF users had
to buy a federal license,
but as of 1996 that particular
tax went away for
good—or at least until
Congress changes its mind.
Breaker One-Nine … Not!
Weather Stations, Too
VHF has the added advantage of including several
weather channels, which give immediate and continuous
access to National Weather Service radio forecasts
(see Chapter 15, “Weather You Like It or Not,” for
details). You simply press the “WX” button to get the
continuous reports.
Forget CB radio for use at sea. There’s too much clutter on the airwaves, the range is too
limited, and most CBs are built to operate inside an air-conditioned vehicle instead of in
the salty confines of a center console. Besides, no other boaters have them and they’re not
monitored—so keep the CB in your pickup truck, 10-4?
One exception might be for use in inland boats, where you’re very likely to be able to
reach someone driving down a nearby highway on channel 9 if you need assistance. But a
cell phone is probably a better option here.
SSB for Maximum Range
Single sideband radio, or SSB, has far greater range than VHF, in part due to an output of
up to 150 watts, six times the maximum VHF output. They’re usually hooked to monster
antennas more than 20 feet long. The long range of SSB is not because of the big
antenna, but because the longer wavelengths are refracted around the curvature of the
earth more easily. SSB is a kind of “short wave” radio, but the wavelength is really much
longer than VHF. The longer antenna is required to transmit the longer waves.
The range is awesome, but unfortunately so is the price—a set, with antenna, goes for
$1,000 and up. The cost is prohibitive for weekenders, but those who move up to
Caribbean crossings and the like may want to make the investment.
A Typical Cruise—Do Your Homework First
Once you understand the basics of charts, markers, navigational tools, and marine communications,
you’re ready for your first long cruise. Long is relative—we’re not talking
weeks or even days here. Navigating to anywhere you can’t see from the boat ramp is a
good first effort.
Step one is to get the appropriate chart before your trip and study your route, from the
put-in point to the destination and back.