Ships
Activating ships for Amateur Radio has quite a number of challenges. On a ship, any shortwave antennas have to be strung between the ship's masts. So permission of the ship's owners is required. VHF/UHF and Satellite communicatioins are generally easier.
Activating HMAS Castlemaine on ANZAC day with Tony VK3XV for Amateur Radio Victoria
The HMAS Castlemaine is the last surviving WWII Bathurst Class corvette. It is anchored at Gem pier at Williamstown and has been restored as a floating museum by volunteers of the Maritime Trust of Australia. As members of Amateur Radio Victoria, Tony VK3XV, Julie VK3FOWL and Joe VK3YSP were permitted to setup an Amateur Radio Station on the bridge on several occasions. We strung up a shortwave antenna on the masts. Tony operated the HF radio station, while we demonstrated Morse Code and amateur satellite communications. Many visitors including children came up to the bridge and were entertained and educated by various demonstrations and exhibits.