I think it is worth reinforcing that marine SSB and amateur (ham) radio are two different things, even though there are radios that cover frequencies for both.
In the US, for marine SSB, you get a station license for the boat (good for 10 years) and an operator's license for the person (good forever, most boats have one licensed operator although properly speaking everyone who uses the radio equipment without the supervision of another licensed person should themselves be licensed). No test, 220 USD fee. In the US, for ham radio, you get a license that is attached to an address that is both a station and operator license; the station license is good for any installation and so covers mobile and marine installations as well as fixed ones. There is a multiple-choice technical test (based on the experience of several acquaintances, *anyone* can pass this with a little work) and small fee. The license is good for 10 years. For ham licensing help, see http://arrl.org/ in the US and http://rac.ca/ in Canada. For marine licensing in the US, see http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html - you need form 605 (one each for the station and operator's licenses) and form 159 (one each). It isn't hard.Alternatively, you can do the whole thing on-line here http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=about_getting_started . Holler if you have trouble and I'll be happy to walk you through. It helps if you have Skype or IM (AIM, Yahoo, GTalk, Messanger) as I have a good Internet connection and poor cellular on my boat. I don't have much familiarity with Canadian requirements. Try here http://www.cps-ecp.ca/?WCE=C=47|K=224768 sail fast, dave _______________________________________________ Liveaboard mailing list [email protected] To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
