Hello all; I am mostly just a lurker and a trawler wannabe. However, I am an amateur radio operator and maybe can help a little on this one. First of all, if one was to talk on an amateur radio frequency that is under the jurisdiction of the FCC (US.) one has to have a license to do so. Period. The only exception to this is if there is another 'ham' that is licensed to operate on the frequency in question in the room and 'he' is willing to be a control operator. Any other use is against the laws of the FCC Part 97 of the FCC rules and regulations. There are other rules one has to follow such as the maximum output on certain freqs. etc. To get a license to talk on portions of the 10 meter band (28 mhz) one must pass a written test and a morse code proficiency test of at least 5 words per minute. To talk (phone) on any other high frequency (HF) one must pass more written exams and a code test of at least 13 words per minute. However, if one wants to talk on 2 meters (144 Mhz) and higher frequencies no code is required. One must still pass a written test, though. Some 'ham' radios are not very cheap. Some go in excess of $8,500.00, plus mike, antenna and power supply. Some used radios go for as little as $100.00 for a single bander. Usually low power. Today, most phone work on ham bands is SSB. Years ago, AM was prevelent. Also, there must be NO commercial use of the ham bands. Pleasure and emergency use only. In summary, 'ham' radio is fun and entertaining. It is nice to have one on board, but I wouldn't want to depend on it to get important and timely messages in times of life threatening situations. I would lean more to the maritime mobile with it's designated frequencies. Use the ham radio for fun. With a 'ham' radio, if one were to go into waters of another country, a permit would need to be obtained from that country to leagally talk from its territorial waters. Some countries will not give out permits without getting certified from them. Hope that helped a little and may the wind always be at your back. Dan, amateur extra radio license kc5gxl, Orange, Texas ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > >Amateur radio is ideally suited for telephone patches involving matters that >are not urgent. They cannot legally let you talk about commercial things--say >you want to order a replacement part shipped to your next destination. >Also, some countries prohibit their hams from handling any third party >traffic (i.e., a phone patch or even a message for a third party). You can >probably get a list from your FCC or the ARRL (I presume you are a US >citizen). >Maritime Mobile radio is suited for any type of telephone patch. On the >other hand, they charge for the service, so unlike ham radio, you probably >do not want to use it frivolously--to expensive. >From an equipment point of view, you should be able to get a new Maritime >Mobile setup for just a bit over US $2000, comprising transceiver, tuner and >antenna. you should be able to get the better deal on the ham radio, as >there is so much of it available. >When I am in serious trouble, I will telephone the Coasties (or whoever). >When my ass is getting wet and I have to step up to the surface of the >water, I will pull the pin on the EPIRB and hop in the raft, with my Iridium >phone and a VHF w/t.