Like most things on the bb, this is not a new topic. Several years ago, on the first cruise I took out of Galveston, TX, I followed (exactly) the advice from Allen, N5AFV, on his various web articles. You can get a good overview here and links to more details as well: http://www.qsl.net/n5afv/cruise.html

Allen has been there and done that and I had nothing but success in following his recommendations. I had the license and the ship's permission--no problem. I have another cruise planned April 11-17 (listen for me on AO-51), but remember my first cruise "experience" like it was yesterday:

EL60

27.08.2007 1358 N5ZNL

27.08.2007 1358 N5AFU

27.08.2007 1359 W7JPI

27.08.2007 1400 W0SAT

27.08.2007 1402 XE1KW

EL51

28.08.2007 1320 N5AFV

28.08.2007 1321 N3YZ

EL45

29.08.2007 1418 WA2EHL

29.08.2007 1419 W7JPI

29.08.2007 1419 W0SAT

29.08.2007 1420 N7JK

29.08.2007 1420 KE5CWC

29.08.2007 1421 XE1KW

29.08.2007 1422 N5ZNL

I used an FT-51R and an AL-800 antenna. I plan to take an Arrow this time :-) 73, Jerry, K5OE