High Frequency Single Side band (HF SSB)is an excellent tool for anyone heading out of the United States or especially for off shore cruising. With HF SSB you can make long range radio calls, make marine phone calls, send and receive emails, get weather faxes, obtain Grib files, and even obtain Satellite pictures of the weather for your area. While an initial look at the M802 may seem complex when comparing the radio to a typical Marine VHF radio, this course will provide the basic tools and understanding of HF SSB and M802 operation such that it can become as easy to use as your Marine VHF radio. If you are planning international or offshore travel on your boat, you should attend this course.
Join us as we cover the following areas:
- Icom IC M802 overview
- Propagation & Tools
- The Connections
- Pactor Modems
- Programming the M802
- Operating the M802
- Digital Selective Calling
- Calls for Help
- Making DSC Calls to Friends
- Worldwide Group Numbers
- Recommendations for Cruisers
Commander TL Sparks enlisted in the Navy in 1968 after he completed a three year Electronics program at Spokane Community College. His first assignment after boot camp was to the Navy’s Electronics Technician “A” school to learn how to operate and repair the Navy’s HF, VHF, and UHF communications equipment.
After almost nine years of active duty at a Communications Station, aboard two Submarines, and a Satellite tracking and injection facility, Terry left active duty and joined the Naval Reserves. After active duty Terry enrolled in a night program to attain a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering offered through Washington State University in Richland, WA. Terry Sailed his first boat over thirty years ago and was hooked at first sail. His years in the Navy where he learned Communications, Navigation, Radar, as well as the workings of the many systems involved with making sure that his two submarines both went into the deep and back to the surface clearly honed Terry’s skills for the cruising lifestyle.
After his retirement from the Navy and ABB in 2008, Terry and his wife went cruising on their sailing vessel Sunnyside. They continue to cruise in the Sea of Cortez and the Mexico Pacific coast.
After a couple of years of cruising, Terry started writing Made Simple for Cruiser books to help others get started living the dream, do it right and come home safely.
Check his cruising travels out at: http://sunnyside-adventure.webs.com/
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