The Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) HF Radio Service Net, FCC Call Sign KPK, has announced a new service for cruisers in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean from the US to Europe. Having always taken Float Plans of vessels making offshore passages, and tracked them using the HF Radio and/or a satellite GPS tracker such as a Garmin In Reach or Iridium Go, they have now secured the capability to receive AIS signals from the MarineTraffic satellite feed giving them the ability to track any vessel transmitting an AIS signal.

Class A AIS Units are more powerful and reliable than Class B units.

There are new two varieties for Class B AIS units:

• Class B CSTDMA 2-watt: These transponders are the traditional Class B units, have a transmit range of 5-7 miles and use the carrier sense system for getting a transmission slot.
• Class B SOTDMA 5-watt: This is a new type of Class B transponder. These units transmit with 5 watts of power and typical transmit 10-15 miles. These use the same self-organized slot management system as the commercial Class A transponders.

If you desire to have KPK keep a Float Plan on your vessel, in addition to your normal Float Plan designees, download a PDF of a USCG Auxiliary Float Plan at https://boatwatch.org/resources/ and e-mail it to [email protected]

NOTE: Boatwatch and the SSCA HF Radio Service Net KPK will NOT act as your primary Float Plan Contact, or Emergency Contact on your EPIRB.

Below is a screenshot of a vessel KPK are presently tracking from the Canary Islands to Grenada.

Although it is appreciated if cruisers join the SSCA, membership is not required to participate in the SSCA HF Radio Service Net. All vessels are welcome.

Related Links:

About SSCA “KPK” Radio Service

Seven Seas Cruising Association

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.