HF Radio Weather Broadcasts

[artist]

can anyone tell me what this is pertaining to?
Is it very important?

Coast Guard plans to discontinue HF radio weather broadcasts -

Coast Guard solicits comments on need to continue
HF radio weather broadcasts by Aug. 24, 2007


The United States Coast Guard is currently soliciting public comments on the need
to continue providing high frequency (HF) weather forecasts and warnings via radio
broadcast. Public comment is necessary to assess the demand for the HF radio
weather broadcasts in the following forms:

(1) Radio Facsimile.
(2) Voice.
(3) Simplex Teletype over Radio (SITOR),
also known as Narrow Band Direct Printing (NBDP).

Due to the significant costs associated with the continuance of HF radio services,
the U.S. Coast Guard is seeking further information that details the extent to which
these services are used by the public and what alternative services are being
used or are available to obtain weather forecasts and warnings.

Comments should go directly to the Coast Guard no later than August 24, 2007.
Responses should be sent by one of the following methods:

1. Web site: http://dms.dot.gov

2. Mail: Docket Management Facility
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street SW
Washington, DC 20590-0001

3. Fax: 202-492-2251

4. Delivery: Room PL-401, Plaza Level, Nassif Building
400 Seventh Street SW
Washington, DC, 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday except holidays

Click here to read the full text of the Coast Guard NOTICE
If you respond to the Coast Guard, please answer the 8 questions posed in the Notice.



http://www.srh.noaa.gov/key/marine/hf.php

[hial2]

Does the Coast Guard give forecasts in any other way,i.e.other radio bands??

[weatherwindow]

HF broadcasts are generally directed at offshore marine traffic....beyond the range of VHF transmissions, such as noaa weather radio. weather fax has long been relied upon by the commerial fishing interests such as shrimpers and longliners out of key west working the gulf. the coast guard argument is that such vessels now rely on higher tech methods such as sat transmissions. the counter argument is that there are many vessels out there that either cannot afford high tech or look for HF as backup to higher tech acquisition methods.......rich

[artist]

thanks for the answer Rich. It doesn't seem fair if there are still others out there that can't afford the equipment, then this could be putting them in danger.

[x-y-no]

In the days when I was doing a lot of sailing, I relied heavily on those HF broadcasts. I'd think there still are a fair number of people who do.

[artist]

x-y-no - there is a place for comments before it is implemented. It might help if you were to add yours. Hopefully others here that have used them will as well.