TELECOMMUNICATIONS DIVISION

Communications Bulletin # 19

Maritime Mobile Service Network

Chaplain A.W. Robertson an amateur radio operator, KB5YX founded

“The Maritime Mobile Service Network”. The Chaplain retired from the U.S. Navy

and the original purpose of this network was to “ Serve those who serve” in the

U.S. Military during the Vietnam crisis. A group of dedicated Amateur radio

operators volunteer their time to assist those in need of communications on the

High Seas.

Operational “Everyday” from 12:00 PM until 9:00 PM Eastern time the

Network operates on a frequency of 14.300 MHz. The Net’s primary purpose is to

handle legal Third party traffic from Maritime mobiles and overseas deployed

Military personnel. Coverage for the Network includes the Atlantic Ocean,

Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific.

The United States Coast Guard recognizes the Network in that it has handled

hundreds of Distress incidents of vessels. During periods of severe weather the

Network regularly repeats Weather warnings and Bulletins from the National

Hurricane Center and National Weather Service.

One important purpose of the Net is to assist the United States Coast Guard,

Upon request in finding lost or overdue vessels. Also besides handling legal

“Third party traffic” the net will provide weather information and be of

assistance in any type of emergency.

Who can check into the “ Maritime Mobile Service Network” ?

Any “Amateur radio Operator’ with the appropriate level of license.

It helps to have a knowledge of geography in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea,

Gulf of Mexico and the Eastern Pacific and a Phone Patch.

Simply tune to 14.300 MHz USB and “ Monitor the frequency”

When the Net control station asks for “Check- ins”, announce your

Call sign Clearly and Phonetically. When the Net control acknowledges your

Call sign, advise Net control of your name, QTH[ location] and any traffic -

If you have NO traffic , just announce you are standing –by to assist with traffic.

Remember that this is a “Directed” Network , which means the

Net control station’s directives are to be followed by all stations during

the Net. DO NOT transmit unless you have been directed to do so by

the Net control Station. “Listening” is the one of the most important

operations any station can perform.

The Maritime Mobile Service Network performs an important

communications function. These dedicated Amateurs volunteer their

equipment, efforts and time to assist with communications on the

High Seas, while being prepared to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in finding

lost or overdue vessels.

More information on this topic is available by

visiting the web at : www.mmsn.org

Warren Schneider DVC-OT Email s157125@aol.com

Dan Amoroso BC- OTT Email nm3s@prodigy.net

Joe Rzucidlo BC- OTM Email jr46@erols.com