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rrees
Well-Known Member
Re: Iridium - Data Link
What areas are you looking to sail in
I have quite a bit of knowledge in this area have used Inmarsat, BGAN Theria GPRS VSAT Internet via Sat etc so hopefully should be able to help
Richard
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What areas are you looking to sail in
I have quite a bit of knowledge in this area have used Inmarsat, BGAN Theria GPRS VSAT Internet via Sat etc so hopefully should be able to help
Richard
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HaraldS
Well-Known Member
Re: Iridium - Data Link
I have not heard of any shut-down plans recently. Also I think the US government has a contract with Iridium that last for some more years, so I think a shut-down isn't imminent.
To your practical question: The car antenna will only work if you have a steel boat, as it needs the chassis as a ground plane. (And it sticks magnetically). On a GFK boat like mine it doesn't work, but the phone with the regular antenna works quite well in the cabin. I got a marine antenna for mine, but it's a big rip-off, inside is just a simple helix antenna, like the one on the phone. I mounted mine under the instrument coaming, beneath the companionway, because I found that running 10 meters of cable to the radar mast aft, I had more loss than the thin sheet of GFK introduced. Still, the phone works almost as good with it's own antenna.
Data transmission seemed more sensitive than voice, but not due to signal strength, but more depending on location and propagation delays, apparently when Iridium needs to do relaying via another satellite.
I had a special contract that allowed me to go on and off for some months, so didn't have to pay the monthly fee when I wasn't using it. I just found they are unwilling to renew that thing, so I'm going prepaid as well. I believe that you loose whatever is left on the card after a year. I think I'll just 'burn' it off in the end by using it instead of the roamed mobile, which is quite expensive as well.
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>
I have not heard of any shut-down plans recently. Also I think the US government has a contract with Iridium that last for some more years, so I think a shut-down isn't imminent.
To your practical question: The car antenna will only work if you have a steel boat, as it needs the chassis as a ground plane. (And it sticks magnetically). On a GFK boat like mine it doesn't work, but the phone with the regular antenna works quite well in the cabin. I got a marine antenna for mine, but it's a big rip-off, inside is just a simple helix antenna, like the one on the phone. I mounted mine under the instrument coaming, beneath the companionway, because I found that running 10 meters of cable to the radar mast aft, I had more loss than the thin sheet of GFK introduced. Still, the phone works almost as good with it's own antenna.
Data transmission seemed more sensitive than voice, but not due to signal strength, but more depending on location and propagation delays, apparently when Iridium needs to do relaying via another satellite.
I had a special contract that allowed me to go on and off for some months, so didn't have to pay the monthly fee when I wasn't using it. I just found they are unwilling to renew that thing, so I'm going prepaid as well. I believe that you loose whatever is left on the card after a year. I think I'll just 'burn' it off in the end by using it instead of the roamed mobile, which is quite expensive as well.
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>
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Re: Iridium - Data Link
Like HaraldS I have gone on to a pre-paid deal.I have 200 minutes of calls for 300 dollars.This lasts for 12 months and any unused minutes are lost at the end of the 12 month contract so I will burn them off rather than lose them altogether.The conditions are set by the service provider -not Iridium so it may be possible to shop around and find a better deal on the net-that is what I may do at the end of my current contract.I would be interested to know what experience anyone has has of the text messaging capability of the Iridium system.In a few brief experiments in my back garden I have found that if I send a text message to my phone whilst it is switched on there is no problem.However if the phone is switched off then the message is invariably lost.I have liaised with Iridium via my service provider help desk who say it is a signal strength problem.Off the record the help desk operator has said that this is common response from Iridium and that the problem is more likely to be that the text message is not being stored properly so that when I log on to the system I am not getting my message(s).It would appear from this that it may be necessary for me to have the phone on 24 / 7 to be sure of getting my text messages.I am due to go foreign shortly and have elderly parents so the text facility is quite important.What is the best way of ensuring I get my text messages? Any suggestions would be welcome.
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Like HaraldS I have gone on to a pre-paid deal.I have 200 minutes of calls for 300 dollars.This lasts for 12 months and any unused minutes are lost at the end of the 12 month contract so I will burn them off rather than lose them altogether.The conditions are set by the service provider -not Iridium so it may be possible to shop around and find a better deal on the net-that is what I may do at the end of my current contract.I would be interested to know what experience anyone has has of the text messaging capability of the Iridium system.In a few brief experiments in my back garden I have found that if I send a text message to my phone whilst it is switched on there is no problem.However if the phone is switched off then the message is invariably lost.I have liaised with Iridium via my service provider help desk who say it is a signal strength problem.Off the record the help desk operator has said that this is common response from Iridium and that the problem is more likely to be that the text message is not being stored properly so that when I log on to the system I am not getting my message(s).It would appear from this that it may be necessary for me to have the phone on 24 / 7 to be sure of getting my text messages.I am due to go foreign shortly and have elderly parents so the text facility is quite important.What is the best way of ensuring I get my text messages? Any suggestions would be welcome.
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HaraldS
Well-Known Member
Re: Iridium - Data Link
Regarding text messages:
I leave my phone on 7/24. People send me an SMS, I call back, as it is much cheaper than from land line to Iridium.
At sea I use SSB for e-mail as primary and Iridium as backup. Near land GPRS or dial-up via GSM.
The Iridium pre-pay card I have was $290 for 200 minutes and one time $60. I'm told the card is rechargeable as often as I like, so that the $60 is really a one time fee. But it also makes it less economic to change to a potentially better deal.
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>
Regarding text messages:
I leave my phone on 7/24. People send me an SMS, I call back, as it is much cheaper than from land line to Iridium.
At sea I use SSB for e-mail as primary and Iridium as backup. Near land GPRS or dial-up via GSM.
The Iridium pre-pay card I have was $290 for 200 minutes and one time $60. I'm told the card is rechargeable as often as I like, so that the $60 is really a one time fee. But it also makes it less economic to change to a potentially better deal.
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>
davidbains
Well-Known Member
Re: Email at sea.
HARALDS
Thanks for your info.
Which transceiver are you using for SSB email, Marine or Ham?
And what earth are you using.
I understand you stay in Lagos. How do you find it?
I am in Greece but considering returning to Spain/Portugal for some
Atlantic sailing.
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HARALDS
Thanks for your info.
Which transceiver are you using for SSB email, Marine or Ham?
And what earth are you using.
I understand you stay in Lagos. How do you find it?
I am in Greece but considering returning to Spain/Portugal for some
Atlantic sailing.
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HaraldS
Well-Known Member
Re: Email at sea.
Hi David
Transceiver: 710RT V2 Means: Marine unit open to receive and transmit on any frequency up to 30MHz including HAM frequencies. Detached control head(s).
Earth: Laminated-in two 4 inch wide copper bands for the full length of the boat. In addition and connected at the transom end is a heavy copper mash band that ties to (in that order): aft water tank, small dynaplate, engine block and shaft, 3 diesel tanks, keel bolt to non-encapsulated lead keel, mast foot, fwd water tank. (In addition all chain plates are bonded to the central copper mesh band.
Antenna tuner: SGS AT-130 (automatic tuner with memory)
Antenna(s): Two: Isolated backstay, 5.6m Comrod whip (now mostly using the whip, giving slightly better results)
Lagos: Very nice place, especially when you plan to live abord in the winter. Not living on board, the near-by new Portimao marina might be a somewhat cheaper alternative, but the surrounding is pretty dead in the winter. Now going there on Saturday and then will be off the DSL luxury for three months..
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>
Hi David
Transceiver: 710RT V2 Means: Marine unit open to receive and transmit on any frequency up to 30MHz including HAM frequencies. Detached control head(s).
Earth: Laminated-in two 4 inch wide copper bands for the full length of the boat. In addition and connected at the transom end is a heavy copper mash band that ties to (in that order): aft water tank, small dynaplate, engine block and shaft, 3 diesel tanks, keel bolt to non-encapsulated lead keel, mast foot, fwd water tank. (In addition all chain plates are bonded to the central copper mesh band.
Antenna tuner: SGS AT-130 (automatic tuner with memory)
Antenna(s): Two: Isolated backstay, 5.6m Comrod whip (now mostly using the whip, giving slightly better results)
Lagos: Very nice place, especially when you plan to live abord in the winter. Not living on board, the near-by new Portimao marina might be a somewhat cheaper alternative, but the surrounding is pretty dead in the winter. Now going there on Saturday and then will be off the DSL luxury for three months..
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>
davidbains
Well-Known Member
Re: Email at sea.
Thanks again Harald.
You certainly went to town on the earth, it makes you wonder why the backstay is not as good as the whip. Maybe stainlesss backstays aren't really good conductors.
The Comrod whip, do the producers have a web site? Sounds a good one.
You are off for 3months from Sat!! And DSL??
I go to Greece on the 13th july for six weeks , boat maintenance in a warm place!!
We'll do some sailing as well, this year I'm hoping to catch the Med net on 8122 at 05.30Z
David
PS Are there any multis in Lagos, and will you be using it as abase for some time
or do the Windies beckon?! My brother lives nearby half the year.
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Thanks again Harald.
You certainly went to town on the earth, it makes you wonder why the backstay is not as good as the whip. Maybe stainlesss backstays aren't really good conductors.
The Comrod whip, do the producers have a web site? Sounds a good one.
You are off for 3months from Sat!! And DSL??
I go to Greece on the 13th july for six weeks , boat maintenance in a warm place!!
We'll do some sailing as well, this year I'm hoping to catch the Med net on 8122 at 05.30Z
David
PS Are there any multis in Lagos, and will you be using it as abase for some time
or do the Windies beckon?! My brother lives nearby half the year.
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HaraldS
Well-Known Member
Re: Email at sea.
Hi david,
Comrod is a Norwegian Company, supplying antennas to most fishing boats there and also military. Very good quality. I think the length of the backstay (mine) isn't ideal for some of the most used frquencies and it's angled and has for that reason directional characteristics, that are not always welcome. Results from the Comrod have been more consistent for that reason.
Try this link for Comrod products:
http://www.comrod.com/v2/Marine/pages/mar_6.asp
Multis in Lagos: Yes there are. In the off and mid season they charge 50% more on length, in high season 100%. The 9 month winter deal, from Sep 15 to Jun 15 is quite good. As an example a 10-12 m multi would be Euro 3240 plus 19% VAT.
Portimao a few miles east is new and trying to get new customers and probaly 10 to 20 % cheaper, but a boring place in the winter I think.
I plan to stay another season in Lagos, then I will be off for the south Pacific. I'll leave Lagos in a week and plan to be back by mid September. And no, I will not have DSL the, just GPRS, SSB and Iridium..
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>
Hi david,
Comrod is a Norwegian Company, supplying antennas to most fishing boats there and also military. Very good quality. I think the length of the backstay (mine) isn't ideal for some of the most used frquencies and it's angled and has for that reason directional characteristics, that are not always welcome. Results from the Comrod have been more consistent for that reason.
Try this link for Comrod products:
http://www.comrod.com/v2/Marine/pages/mar_6.asp
Multis in Lagos: Yes there are. In the off and mid season they charge 50% more on length, in high season 100%. The 9 month winter deal, from Sep 15 to Jun 15 is quite good. As an example a 10-12 m multi would be Euro 3240 plus 19% VAT.
Portimao a few miles east is new and trying to get new customers and probaly 10 to 20 % cheaper, but a boring place in the winter I think.
I plan to stay another season in Lagos, then I will be off for the south Pacific. I'll leave Lagos in a week and plan to be back by mid September. And no, I will not have DSL the, just GPRS, SSB and Iridium..
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>
davidbains
Well-Known Member
Re: Email at sea.
Thanks for all the info Harald.
You've obviously done a lot of research
Have a good trip, where are you headed this year?
David
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Thanks for all the info Harald.
You've obviously done a lot of research
Have a good trip, where are you headed this year?
David
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HaraldS
Well-Known Member
Re: Email at sea.
We will be somewhere between Lagos, Gib, Morocco, Madeira, Selvagen and Canaries in the next three months.
I'm finally at my boat adjusting the rig which the folks from Seleden didn't do after recalling and reinstalling a bunch of shrounds.
This is sent via GPRS and is probably the last post for a while. Reading all the posts that way would drive me into bankrupcy...
Have a nice summer
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>
We will be somewhere between Lagos, Gib, Morocco, Madeira, Selvagen and Canaries in the next three months.
I'm finally at my boat adjusting the rig which the folks from Seleden didn't do after recalling and reinstalling a bunch of shrounds.
This is sent via GPRS and is probably the last post for a while. Reading all the posts that way would drive me into bankrupcy...
Have a nice summer
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>