Anyone know anything about Inmarsat-C?

[Stingo]

Panel

I am thinking about purchasing a 2nd hand Inmarsat-C system with the objectives of getting regular weather info and to be able to receive and send email/sms. The alternative is to purchase a Pactor Modem and hook that up to my SSB and laptop which will then give me weather and email via Sailmail.

All opinions greatfully received.

Thank you

John

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[ccscott49]

John,
You buy the pactor thingy and I'll buy the sat system, OK? I think the pactor thingy is great, if you already have the SSB etc. I would like the sat "C" for longer distance weather reports etc. Also if you're staying around europe, one of those new weather man things from NASA would be a great buy, i'm wandering around further afiled, without SSB so sat C is a better bet for me. I guess it comes down to where you are planning on going and how much you want to spend. i also think E mail with the sat C is slower and more expensive than sailmail, but not sure

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[Guest]

Post deleted by danfoley

 

[ccscott49]

Are these sat C systems coming off fishing boats/ I've never seen one secondhand.

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[simonjk]

Hi Stingo,

I'm not a sailor, but a weather forecaster, so can give you the "other end of the story".

My experience is that satphones are really useful things to have on board. I have many customers who call in for voice weather briefings from me via sat phone. Amazing really as sometimes the quality really is excellent.

Can't really comment on the quality of the weather data avaiable on there, although the clients I have who tell me about it do say it is useful.

As far as weatherfax via SSB goes, this is old fashioned now, but certainly a reliable technology. I would recommend you had such kit on board anyway as I do know how handy it is to a forecaster to see a chart and to know the sailor has up to date weather charts on board too.

Also, don't forget that a text forecast is only a forecasters interperatation. The same applies to things like GRIB data only being raw model output.

By getting use to seeing and reading charts you can accurately forecast yourself, and if you were calling to shore can have far more background knowledge about the weather. Useful when paying so much for the call.

So, my vote is the satphone, but have the weatherfax in there too if you can.

Cheers,
Simon



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[Stingo]

I've come across this bloke called Ray Morley that sells reconditioned Inmarsat-C sets for £800 (plus another £300 for the dedicated console if you don't want to hook it up to your laptop). He refered me to <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.satsend.com>the Satsend website</A> for rates/service/faq's etc. Doesn't sound like a bad option. I haven't done a running cost comparison with Sailmail using a pactor modem via SSB but my gut feel is that Sailmail will be a lot cheaper.

The purchase price of a 2nd hand Inmarsat-C is comparable to the price of a new Pactor modem (£700 plus cabling).

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[ccscott49]

I think I'll give it a miss! I'll buy a handheld sat phonelatyer if i want sat comunications. Even 2nd hand, thats a lot of pennies!

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[qsiv]

Dont forget the one key advantage that Sat C has over Sat phones and other cheaper inmarsat services is that it is a key component of GMDSS. Press one button, any time, any place and the nearest MRCC is aware of who you are, what you are and where you are.

The paperwork associated with Sat C is ponderous and tedious, and the older PC software solutions left a lot to be desired, but there are newer better sources for more modern PC's. If all you are likelyt to use it for is coastal margin work (say with (1 to 200 miles) then I think I would be inclined to consider satphones (perhaps thuraya in europe) as a more flexible option, If going deep offshore then I think Sat C (+HF SSB) has to be the preferred option.

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[ccscott49]

It will be a few more years yet before I really NEED one, (if ever) so I'll wait, there are a few more systems in the pipeline with almost broadband data speed. If I was in the market right now, I agree with you.

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