Use of HF

[marqmarq]

Use of HF

We're planning a trip to St. Kitts. I understand that I'll have to use HF. Can someone point me to a good source of info relating to the use of HF?

Thanx

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I swore one could go from the SE USA to St Kitts w/o HF. but I could very well be wrong.

Do you have older equip? first be sure it works if you never used it!

Are you RVSM approved? check your route.

Other than that there is not much to it. Tune the appropriate freq, click it once to get a signal (click the transmitter once) then you will have HF! (tellltale annoying static)

Do you know how to give position reports? the format is surely on the high charts of the route you are going, if not the whole deal is on Atlantic High chart 1/2 (Its a wealth of info) If in doubt if they want a position report or not, I usually start with "N12345, position"...if they want one they usually say "Go Ahead".....if not they may just say "report VC Bird this freq or VHF 123.55" or the likes.....it gets a little confusing down there but it all works out....Atlantic flying is easier (err less frustrating I should say).

Im not a huge fan of the islands. but I like St Kitts. It is realtively clean, friendly people. Get a tour of the end of the island with the wild monkeys, also there is a dormant volcano and lots of old sugar plantations.

If you are working for a generous fellow, go stay over on Nevis. Its a 10 min ride on an islander right from where you will park. There is a Four Seasons there that is one of the nicest in the world.!! (IMHO)

Have Fun

 

[Roadie]

Depends on where you're coming from. From the northeast you might have a short period out of VHF range but if you're coming from Florida you should be VHF all the way there.

 

[wildbill]

I think HF is a nice back up but unnecessary in the Caribbean.

 

[Rick1128]

The operators handbook for the radio should give you most everything you need to know. And these can be found on the OEMs websites. Except for about a 100 KM north of Bermuda in the WATR airspace, I generally don't need to use HF. Gulfstream is correct about one thing, make sure the unit works before you go. The quality of the reception depends on who installed the unit. If it was installed be someone who knows how to read instructions and install the unit, it will be as noisy as everyone says it is. If it is installed by someone who really KNOWS how to install it, then it will be quite a bit better. If it was installed and/or operated overseas in an area where they really use HF you should see a considerable difference. The pilots in those areas will not put up with the HF noise like pilots over here will.

One thing the manuals do not mention is tuning the antenna. You do this by setting the freq, then keying the mike. You will hear a tone. After the finishes the antenna is tuned. You must tune it after each freq change.