Kwajdiver
Veteran Member
With the price of Satphones and minutes coming down. Satphones with GPS and email what is the use of owning a SSB?
Bill
Bill
SSB vs. Satphone
- Thread starter Kwajdiver
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FF
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ksanders
Moderator Emeritus
We have a sat phone with internet.
The value is twofold.
We keep the Coast Guards phone number handy for any areas we're in. That makes the sat phone good for emergency communication.
We are also able to keep in touch with our families. That is actually a bigger factor than anything.
Then there's the high speed internet service. Its not cheap but its there. We can surf the web of course, but the real value is weather routing. We have access to all of the weather services maps, forecasts, etc...
Satellite communications is not inexpensive though. After buying the VSAT terminal equipment for around 13 Boat units then you have the service. We pay .49 a minute, and $1 per MB for data.
Its not cheap, but how much is communications worth nowdays? We have access to up to 2meg download and phones anywhere in the world. No roaming, no hoping for wifi. We are connected. I can run my business and make a living from anywhere.
The value is twofold.
We keep the Coast Guards phone number handy for any areas we're in. That makes the sat phone good for emergency communication.
We are also able to keep in touch with our families. That is actually a bigger factor than anything.
Then there's the high speed internet service. Its not cheap but its there. We can surf the web of course, but the real value is weather routing. We have access to all of the weather services maps, forecasts, etc...
Satellite communications is not inexpensive though. After buying the VSAT terminal equipment for around 13 Boat units then you have the service. We pay .49 a minute, and $1 per MB for data.
Its not cheap, but how much is communications worth nowdays? We have access to up to 2meg download and phones anywhere in the world. No roaming, no hoping for wifi. We are connected. I can run my business and make a living from anywhere.
Keith
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MMSI - you can call for help with your current position, boat information, etc. You can get all kinds of weather information via weatherfax. Free e-mail. Communications capability when the SHTF.
We have used the SSB/Ham radio for 14 years for radio nets, talking to friends on other boats, email and weather. For Email and weather we have a SCS Pactor III modem.
Today we see a lot of cruisers with Sat phones (for less money) and no HF radios. What we like about the SSB/Ham radio is the access to other cruisers and the weather. When you are remote, it's any easy way to plan your next destination/anchorage or hear who's in the area, based on what you hear on the regional HF nets. It's also a source for sports and news, although just a receiver would work.
Today we see a lot of cruisers with Sat phones (for less money) and no HF radios. What we like about the SSB/Ham radio is the access to other cruisers and the weather. When you are remote, it's any easy way to plan your next destination/anchorage or hear who's in the area, based on what you hear on the regional HF nets. It's also a source for sports and news, although just a receiver would work.
Kwajdiver
Veteran Member
Interesting replies, thank you. Any est. how many cruisers are using Satphones.
As for the price, for the $2,000 differents, you can make a lot of calls. Plus, if you every end up in a lift boat, the phoen could be carried with you.
New to this game, but learning!
Bill
As for the price, for the $2,000 differents, you can make a lot of calls. Plus, if you every end up in a lift boat, the phoen could be carried with you.
New to this game, but learning!
Bill
Tidahapah
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Bill,
In your area both would be an advantage.
The sat phone is good but you have to know the numbers you want to ring or have them installed in your directory.
The SSB , you are in contact with all the other cruisers out and about and you would be suprised at how many , especially those in far away places and cruising around the Pacific.
When you get on the air you are in contact with them all (or at least those with their radios turned on.
In your area both would be an advantage.
The sat phone is good but you have to know the numbers you want to ring or have them installed in your directory.
The SSB , you are in contact with all the other cruisers out and about and you would be suprised at how many , especially those in far away places and cruising around the Pacific.
When you get on the air you are in contact with them all (or at least those with their radios turned on.
Keith
Guru
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- Vessel Name
- Anastasia III
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- Krogen 42
Kwajdiver
Veteran Member
Not really sure there would be ANY cruisers in my area? 
Bill
Bill
johnma
Guru
We have a SSB that the previous owner installed. we've played around with it a little, but here in the northeast there never seems to be anyone broadcasting. I have downloaded the schedule for the east coast and get nothing. does anyone use theirs in non-remote areas?
John
390 Mainship
John
390 Mainship
