Write the gov'ment, HF weather & AIS B
Two issues U.S. boaters might want to comment on:
1. Apparently the HF transmitters the USCG uses to send out offshore weather forecasts—voice, fax, etc.—need to be replaced and the government wants to know if it’s worth the money. If you use SSB or HAM for NOAA weather, or ever plan to, you might want to look here for ways to speak up. (I managed to find the electronic comments the other day at http://dms.dot.gov/, but can’t get there today).
2. Yesterday the FCC issued a request for comments regarding the granting of waivers so that USCG approved Class B AIS transponders can be used in the U.S. while the Agency works on a final rule making. The FCC’s online search and comment software is also clunky, but try going here to make comments, and look here to review them (nothing so far, but some interesting older stuff, like Orbcomm’s interest in providing satellite AIS tracking). In both cases use Proceeding # “04-344”.
Ben,
My wife and I are cruising the inside passage to Alaska at the moment. I use HF weather fax daily to monitor the weather and to make go no go decisions.
Granted this is old technology, but it works and it is all that is available in much of the area.
I would like to comment, but like you I am having trouble finding an place to comment. Internet access can be had at selected ports/villages
Pat Harman
M/V Meriwether