Leaving Georgetown, there is no option but to have SSB (single sideband radio) for weather, with Chris Parker being the weather maven. Chris runs several nets - see the chart below - responding to sponsoring vessels with specifics on their area and route. Canny - and more thrifty or fiscally challenged sailors - listen in for boats in their area and thus get the benefit of Chris' knowledge while saving money for more vital purchases - such as rum!

For further information on becoming a sponsor, you can contact Chris via email - google for more information.

VHF radio becomes progressively less useful as you venture further from civilization and, once you reach areas such as the Jumentos, it's essentially useless. A properly installed SSB (or ham) transceiver (transceiver is a fancy name for 'radio', one that both receives and sends), with a good ground, will permit you to keep in touch with fellow cruisers. You'll also be able to veeerrrrry slowly send email, using Winlink or Sailmail.
I don't happen to have a properly installed SSB - I'm able to receive clearly, but cannot, as yet, transmit. While this hasn't been an issue up to now, it's one that needs to be rectified - now who, in Salt Pond, Long Island, might carry 70 square feet of copper tape I can use to set up a proper ground? Hmmmmm.....this might be a bit of a challenge.
My answer to this one is to carefully monitor the weather and to proceed only in the clearest of circumstances until I reach the Cuban coast. Fortunately, the weather gods (unless this is an April Fool's day joke) have mandated light S-SE winds for the next week, meaning that I can easily reach the Cuban coast without any issues.