Comms for an extended cruise

[rickym]

In reply to SimonJ

Kindle exchange is availble between kindle users I believe? We also carry loads of books and have been swapping books with others and at various yacht clubs for as long as I can remember!

We cannot carry all the books SWMBO wants to read, anyway I cannot get the kindle away from her!

Maybe we will get long range HF at some time, I think what we have got is satisfactory, as this will be be our first long trip (more than 700m or so and a week at sea) we will have to see what we find we need. I think we have got the basics covered. Nice to read everyone's thoughts and advice.

 

[rickym]

Jonic

You know why! So you can do it all over again!

 

[testmonkey]

1) GOSim (or similar) roaming PAYG SIM reasonable charges, some free to receive calls, free to receive texts, easy and reasonably cheap to let the kids now we are OK and where we are.

...

4) Web Blog so anyone who is interested can read our experiences

How about a Spot Messenger to send that OK with location directly to the blog. Uses Globalstar satellites so coverage is reasonably good...

 

[rickym]

We did consider something like that, but we already have a satphone and in an emergency would be good to talk to someone Medic etc

 

[Conachair]

For an SSB receiver go for Nasa Target ssb-you can pick one up for about £50 on e bay-download weatherfax synoptic charts to your PC using a suitable free interface/one that comes with receiver-new about £150.

Sorry to disagree but a degen 1103 is streets ahead as a radio, normally I quite like nasa kit but that radio is most definitely not their finest hour.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l2736&_nkw=degen+1103

software - http://www.jvcomm.de/index_e.html

freqs - http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/rfax.pdf

 

[Conachair]

How do you do book swaps (a common crusing activity) with a KIndle, by the way?

Not been cruising since I got one, but probably swap the 1/2 dozen volumes of rubbish onboard for a half dozen more. Any book i actually spend money on I usually quite like to keep and not swap for some throw away.

Always thought there should be an online exchange rate for book swaps. An Ian McEwan must be worth 3 Wilbur Smiths. A Sebastian Faulks at least a couple of american crime stuff. Or should it go by the word, or weight?

But offshore it's quantity not quality

 

[SimonJ]

Kindling

In reply to SimonJ

Kindle exchange is availble between kindle users I believe? We also carry loads of books and have been swapping books with others and at various yacht clubs for as long as I can remember!

We cannot carry all the books SWMBO wants to read, anyway I cannot get the kindle away from her!

Maybe we will get long range HF at some time, I think what we have got is satisfactory, as this will be be our first long trip (more than 700m or so and a week at sea) we will have to see what we find we need. I think we have got the basics covered. Nice to read everyone's thoughts and advice.

The issue is Kindle books are v expensive (especially to someone cruising - although there was a cheap deal over Christmas). You can swap, well share which is better, between Kindles using the same purchase accounts, that much I have found. One of my cruise preps was to build a big bookshelf in my quarter berth, by the way. Invaluable. We swapped a lot but made sure the better books were exchanged between friends for something of similar standard or retained. There are usually lots of good second hand book shops around as well. I just find this aspect hard to reconcile with Kindle use by usually tight fisted, by necessity, cruisers!

 

[Conachair]

The issue is Kindle books are v expensive (especially to someone cruising - although there was a cheap deal over Christmas). You can swap, well share which is better, between Kindles using the same purchase accounts, that much I have found. One of my cruise preps was to build a big bookshelf in my quarter berth, by the way. Invaluable. We swapped a lot but made sure the better books were exchanged between friends for something of similar standard or retained. There are usually lots of good second hand book shops around as well. I just find this aspect hard to reconcile with Kindle use by usually tight fisted, by necessity, cruisers!

You are allowed both

And don't forget kindles access to the huge library of out of copyright books.

 

[rickym]

You are allowed both

And don't forget kindles access to the huge library of out of copyright books.

Very true

 

[duncan99210]

And if you go onto Ebay you can buy data DVDs with 20,000 books on them for a couple of quid. Yes, there's a lot of rubbish on them but also loads of worthwhile, big name stuff. No idea if its legal or not......

 

[Jabs]

There are several sites where you can download free Kindle books!

Project Gutenberg is one of the most prolific.

Tony.

 

[rickym]

Fred drift?

 

[Jabs]

Carpenters,

It's only just begun!

 

[rickym]

Not in my record collection!

 

[LadyInBed]

Sorry to disagree but a degen 1103 is streets ahead as a radio

The degen certainly has good reviews
I was also considering a TECSUN PL-600
I still cant decide

 

[LadyInBed]

7) Oh almost forgot we have a 3G Kindle. Brilliant!

Have you tried picking up GRIBs from it on 3G?

 

[Conachair]

Early days yet, and the subscriptions are still a bit pricey but maybe these types of devices will be a way forward for those who just want to let family know they're still floationg across an ocean

http://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/...Weblog+(Panbo:+The+Marine+Electronics+Weblog)

 

[Jabs]

There are two other options:

http://www.yellowbrick-tracking.com/?page_id=1069

http://international.findmespot.com/

The Sat Phone gives the option to have a more two way communication and to call Falmouth CG direct!

Lots of options!

Downloading weather via SSB still looks like the most economical option.

Tony.

 

[rickym]

Have you tried picking up GRIBs from it on 3G?

Web access is a bit slow but acceptable, as it is monochrome we find the synoptic charts better.

Problem is we need a 3G signal not so good offshore!

 

[rickym]

There are two other options:

http://www.yellowbrick-tracking.com/?page_id=1069

http://international.findmespot.com/

The Sat Phone gives the option to have a more two way communication and to call Falmouth CG direct!

Lots of options!

Downloading weather via SSB still looks like the most economical option.

Tony.

My thoughts too!