he SSB (Single Side Band) Coconut Telegraph will resume its cruisers net on Monday November 9, 2020 as announced by the volunteer Net Controllers. The Net serves the Eastern Caribbean Basin. Its main objective is to share active cruiser information in real time and a means to communicate between cruisers.

Published 3 years ago

The Coconut Telegraph is a controlled net, and all are invited to join in, no need to be a member of any sailing or cruising organization. It is the best way to keep in touch with your fellow cruisers and sailors.

The Net operates at 8:00AM AST (-4GMT) on 4.060 mHz – 6 days a week – Monday through Saturday.

It covers the Eastern Caribbean island chain.

In this time of Covid 19, island requirements change almost daily. Get first-hand, Real Time info. from fellow cruisers on other islands before you go! Find out what is open, what is restricted and the general conditions of the ports, anchorages and restrictions in Real Time.

In addition the Coconut Telegraph is used for check-in’s with safety or security issues, your location or underway position, requests to Contact other cruisers, and general questions and advice.

In cooperation with SSB station KPK, the Coconut Net Controller will check-in on that net at 8:15. KPK operates daily as part of the SSCA and the Caribbean Safety and Security net on 8.104mHz. KPK handles traffic from all the Caribbean.

More and more cruisers have access to Cell Phones, WiFi, Sat Phones, and local VHF nets and may consider SSB an out-dated communication method. Not true! SSB is alive and well and serves many useful purposes, especially in this time of a world pandemic, as most other methods have restricted coverage or capabilities. No, you will not be able to “surf the net”, but getting weather reports and grib files, send/receive e-mail, international news and the ability to communicate long distances with multiple cruisers for free makes SSB more than a hobby. In times of emergency, you can always count on SSB to get you connected to the proper authorities. At those times you may even use the expanded HAM frequencies and nets without the need of a HAM license.

The Coconut Telegraph welcomes volunteer net controllers, so if you would like to be one just call in and you can volunteer for one day a week.

Related Links:

• For other worldwide cruising SSB nets see Noonsite’s Communications page.
  
• SSCA “KPK” Radio Service