Southbound SSB Net Alive and Well

[SV SolMate]

Last week, a vessel cruising north of the Panama Canal reported via ship's radio that the Southbound Net was no longer functioning. Untrue!


The Southbound Net is alive and well - the problem is it has moved frequencies. Here are the coordinates:

Time: 0145 UTC
Frequency: 4054 kHz SSB (Upper Side Band)
Net Coordinator: Mark Schneider SV SolMate (KI6UPS or WDE2635)
Information: www.InOneDay.ca

If you are in our cruising neighborhood, please stop by and let us know your location and conditions!


Mark Schneider
SV SolMate
Southbound Net Coordinator


Purpose:


Southbound Net is a volunteer operation dedicated to improving the safety of mariners especially those traveling south of San Diego, CA and north of Panama. Every night we take check-ins from cruisers, record their coordinates, facilitate ship-to-ship radio traffic, and share relevant and interesting information.


How to Check In:


Southbound Net is a controlled net which simply means that the conversation is coordinated by a “net controller” or host who facilitates things by making sure only one boat is talking at a time. When the controller calls for check-ins, please come with your boat name only. When you hear the controller call your name, come back with your boat name, ship’s call-sign, number of persons on board, location, destination and local weather including wind speed, direction and sea state. If you have anything of general interest to the fleet, please let us know.

If you would like to call someone else during the net, inform the controller that you have “traffic”.

How the Net Is Organized

At the beginning of the Southbound cruisers’ net, the net controller will first identify herself and then call for emergency traffic. At this point it is important to listen for very faint signals that may indicate a remote station requires assistance. If you hear something and it is clear the net controller is not receiving it, please inform her immediately.


Fortunately we rarely receive emergency calls and the net moves on with the controller calling for check-ins from vessels that are currently underway.


When all underway vessels have checked in, the controller will then call for “general check-ins”, which includes folks that are at anchor or in marinas.


Currently Southbound Net is not providing weather information. This may change in the future.


NOTE: We have recently changed frequencies from 6516 kHz USB (this is a Single Sideband channel) to 4054kHz . Please change your information and pass it along to other cruisers.


If you would like to contact any of the volunteers on the Southbound Net, please visit our temporary website for more information.


Fair seas!


Mark