Welcome to the Waterway Net Web Site!
The Waterway Radio and Cruising Club is an association of amateur radio operators who also share an interest in recreational boating.
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The Waterway Net, which is sponsored by the Waterway Radio and Cruising Club, meets on the air every morning of the year for about an hour starting at 0745 ET on a frequency of 7.268 MHz LSB. The main purpose of the Waterway Net is to encourage amateur radio communications to and from boats with an emphasis on safety and weather information. Position Reports help keep live-aboards and cruising boats in touch with families and friends and Float Plans provide a strong measure of safety for off-shore passage makers.
Begun in the early sixties, the Waterway Net is one of the oldest, continuously operating nets in amateur radio. Today the WRCC has around eight hundred dues paying members and anyone holding an Amateur Radio License of any class is eligible to join. Membership in the WRCC is not a prerequisite for participation in the Waterway Net, but a general class or higher license is required.
The Waterway Net is a controlled net. It is recommended that one listen for a while to learn the Net Procedures, but anyone with a general class license or above is invited to check in at the appropriate time or to join in on the special interest nets that often follow.
In an emergency, FCC rules permit anyone, licensed or not, to use any frequency to summon help. All boaters with high frequency SSB radios aboard should know that the 20 meter amateur frequency of 14.300 MHz is active for about eighteen hours a day and is always available for emergency assistance.
Announcements
SEE NEWS &
EVENTS PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL NEWS AND INFORMATION
- USCG CFL Lamp Warning: The US Coast Guard has issued a Marine Safety Alert on the newer CFL fluorescent lamps, saying that they could cause RF interference with certain communication and navigation equipment. The USCG alert is not clear, whether it refers to the AC or 12v DC type of lamp (or both). The type of lamp in question should have the following statement printed somewhere on the packaging: "This product may cause interference to radio communications and should not be installed near maritime safety communications equipment or other critical navigation or communication equipment operating between 0.45-30 MHz."
- Bahamas Reciprocal License Info: Anyone who has an existing Bahamas reciprocal license, or those wishing to obtain one should check out the URCA website. According to Carolyn, C6AGG, URCA, Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority, requires all current license holders to complete and submit a "Full Details Form" no later than 30th November 2009, with a $10 fee. Licensees that expire before 30th November 2009 must submit an application for a new license at the same time with the $25 annual fee. URCA is encouraging all existing licensees to file an application for a new license at the same time as returning the 'Full Details Form". Both, the 'Full Details Form' and license application form can be downloaded from the link, above.
- Chicago Ship Canal Closed(?): The Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal in the vicinity of mile marker 296 near Romeoville, IL is/may be closed to:
- ALL NON-METALLIC HULL VESSELS
- ALL VESSELS UNDER 20-ft
For latest info, click HERE. - New Florida Anchoring Provision Is Now Law!: House Bill #1423 and other related information can be found HERE.
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- Conficker Virus Attack: If you are concerned about the Conficker/Downadup computer problem that's been in the news, make sure you have the XP update, KB958644. You can check this by clicking on XP's "Start" button, then clicking on "Set Program Access and Defaults". After this window pops up, click on "Change or Remove Programs". Make sure "Show Updates" box is checked at top of page. After this window populates itself, scroll down near the bottom and look for the above update. Also, depending on which anti-virus program you run, I'd check the web site of that product to see if you're covered. Recently, I noticed a pop-up from my A-V program, Avast, telling me that I was protected for the Conficker event. For now, it appears that Vista may not be affected by this one. For what it's worth, I believe this will be a non-event, but it pays to be cautious. If you want more information on this, go to this Microsoft site. LATE ADDITION: BitDefender is offering a Conficker/Downadup removal tool here.
- Thank you for your kind donations:
We would also like to thank those who have donated funds, in addition to their annual dues, in order to help with our club's finances. Donations are always welcome and should be addressed to Sec/Treas (Club address on Club Info page).
In Memory of Bob Thompson, KD3DV:
In Memory of Jean Freeman, KC4BGQ
In Memory of Bill Marsh, K9SGH
The Waterway Radio & Cruising Club
- Lake Okeechobee Water Levels:
You may still want to check with lockmasters, etc., to determine local conditions.
Latest info (Oct, 2009) is that the "rim" route is open.
- New Discussion Board!: Our club now has an online board available for just about any topic you wish! Click on 'Discussion Board' button, above to enter the board and register. Only Waterway Radio & Cruising Club members may post and reply in the forums. After your registration is approved, you may go to any forum and reply to, or create any topic you wish, within the practical guidelines we've set forth. Ask questions, offer solutions, discuss anything ham radio or boating related . . . or whatever! Have fun!
- Masses of Sting Rays Found!: Dr. Jim, K4TCV, sent these photos of sting rays during their migration near the Yucatan Peninsula. Sandra Critelli, an amateur photographer, took these amazing photos. The population in the Gulf of Mexico migrates, in schools of as many as 10,000, clockwise from western Florida to Yucatan.
- "Site Search" Added: I've just added a Site Search button on the navigation bar on the upper left of this page. Try it out! Just type any key word(s), etc., in the small window above the button, press "Enter" (or click on the button). Another window will open, showing every occurrence of your search that appears on our web site. This should make it very easy to find any subject, article, etc. - Bill, N4UMS.
- Switlik Life Raft Recall: Marti, KF4TRG sends notice that the Switlik Parachute company has a recall for it's marine life rafts. For more information, visit this website.
- WRCC Recruitment Flyer: Download this flyer (right), print it out, and post it at your nearest marina, marine supply store (West Marine, Boat U.S., etc.,) even Radio Shack. You could also use it as a handout at your local ham radio club. The Waterway Radio & Cruising Club is conducting a recruitment campaign for new members and this flyer is just another way to get the word out. With the recent dropping of the morse code requirement, more and more boaters will be getting their licenses; we need to let them know what services the Club provides. You will need Acrobat Reader to view and print this flyer. Download pdf flyer (236kb).
- Join the fun! The Waterway Radio & Cruising Club is holding a membership recruitment campaign. If you, or someone you know, would like to become a member, please go to the Club Info page and download a membership form. Only requirement is that you hold a valid amateur radio operator's license. Of course, to participate on the Net, you must have a General class or above, license. Owning a boat is not required; only the love of boating. Waterway Net members are known for their love of the water, boating and ham radio. For the cruising boater, the Net is also a great way of keeping in touch with other boaters while offering a safer transit, through our daily weather reporting and position reports. Also, every fall, we hold a combination picnic/flea market in Melbourne, FL.
- Maine in the fall: Jay, AE4MZ, has some beautiful photos from his recent Maine trip. This one is sunset over Eggemoggin Reach from Wooden Boat School anchorage. Check them all out on his web site.
- Fly your WRCC Burgees! WRCC
members should fly the club's burgees whenever possible. This
lets other members know if you're in their anchorage, marina,
etc. Flying the burgee also is a means of showing others that
you are a member of a very special group of boaters/ham radio
operators.
If you don't have one of our heavy-duty burgees, now is the time to purchase one! - Notes from the Webmaster -
N4UMS
Members: Your input is necessary to keep our web site current and interesting - please feel free to send news items, articles for the Technical Corner, corrections, updates, suggestions, problems and complaints to the73, Bill - N4UMS
