Re: [IRCA] Cruise dx'ing???

[Milspec390@xxxxxxx]

What a beautiful trip. You'll likely slide along Cuba's north coast at pull 
Cubano locals the length of the island then enjoy Atlantic activity. I can't 
think of a single reason why anyone would take a cruise without at least one 
portable am/fm/hf receiver, and a backup, and a good handheld scanner. Or 
three....

 Drag as many radios, scanners, charts, logbooks, WRTH's, notes, frequency 
counters, fountain pens, GPS units, FRS radios, binoculars, spare batteries, 
wire, and anything else related you can. 

 I use NiMH batteries and quick chargers wherever possible. An outlet strip 
is a must. You'll generally find one or two outlets at most by the dresser in 
your cabin. Strips make life easy.

Different from air travel, you'll suffer no rudeness from staff or passengers 
simply because you have a receiver. Cruise staffs are invariably polite and 
well realize radio is an integral part of their environment. Cruise ships are 
wonderful places from which to dx. There are actually people who live aboard 
them and when you add it up, it's cheaper than shoreside life what with its 
usurious property taxes, extortionate insurance, and other fine post-90s 
'services'......

 Have you considered the Crane or Terk AM loop?  You'll notice the 
difference. Stations leap forth from static and light up ten outa ten on your Sony. My 
lash-up is a 2010 shoved within Radio Shack loop. Radio is balanced by a couple 
plastic containers which contain spare wire, etc., but drink cups will do 
same. Whole mess is plopped Rubbermaid turntable from the grocery store. 
(fantastic idea courtesy Mr. T. Krueger, GrupoDX Florida). Turntable allows you to 
spin set & loop and zero in on target station, null others.

  Recording, I use old, lo-tech cheapaxx Sony handheld pocket cassette 
recorder jacked into radio's Line Out orifice. Runs good. Don't know why a digital 
recorder wouldn't work equally well or better. 

 What ship you taking? E-mail me privately if you wish, some are noisy in 
terms of RF, some quiet, usually even on an RF-noisy ship you can find a quiet 
spot. What fun....


                                                                        Dr. 
Zecchino

PV Zecchino, T.D.
Manoverboard Key, FL
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx