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Talbot
Active member
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
I looked at this a while a go and concluded that the cost of the modem was about the same as purchase of an iridium. yes I know running costs are higher, but then so is the ability to connect, and data rate is much better as well. It also then provides a much better way of contacting family in emergency.
with the M700 apparently some of the later ones were successful in achieving connectivity with the older and slower pactors, but earlier ones werent, plus some of the early ones didnt even have the output capability to an external speaker/modem. IIRC the problem is that the M700 is not a digital set like the later 710 and 800 series, and this introduces delays in the transmission that the modem doesnt like.
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I looked at this a while a go and concluded that the cost of the modem was about the same as purchase of an iridium. yes I know running costs are higher, but then so is the ability to connect, and data rate is much better as well. It also then provides a much better way of contacting family in emergency.
with the M700 apparently some of the later ones were successful in achieving connectivity with the older and slower pactors, but earlier ones werent, plus some of the early ones didnt even have the output capability to an external speaker/modem. IIRC the problem is that the M700 is not a digital set like the later 710 and 800 series, and this introduces delays in the transmission that the modem doesnt like.
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BigART
Member
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
I have been investigating the use of Iridium vs HF email. For a while, a quite reasonable deal was available for an Iridium handset + £200/year connection which made quite a good alternative to the expensive Pactor with a £250/year connection (when available). However the £200/year Iridium thing is no longer available. However, I still gulp at the cost of a Pactor modem and difficulty in setting it up (expert installation recommended for Sailmail). What are the other modems have you discovered?
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.DoItCruise.info>http://www.DoItCruise.info</A>
I have been investigating the use of Iridium vs HF email. For a while, a quite reasonable deal was available for an Iridium handset + £200/year connection which made quite a good alternative to the expensive Pactor with a £250/year connection (when available). However the £200/year Iridium thing is no longer available. However, I still gulp at the cost of a Pactor modem and difficulty in setting it up (expert installation recommended for Sailmail). What are the other modems have you discovered?
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.DoItCruise.info>http://www.DoItCruise.info</A>
ccscott49
Active member
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
Which one is yours?
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Which one is yours?
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Talbot
Active member
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
Mine has a proper external speaker connection which would be used for connection to laptop for weatherfax etc.
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Mine has a proper external speaker connection which would be used for connection to laptop for weatherfax etc.
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Anonymous
Guest
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
>>quite a good alternative to the expensive Pactor with a £250/year connection (when available).<<
No, Sailmail costs 250 US Dollars pa, not pounds.
>>However, I still gulp at the cost of a Pactor modem and difficulty in setting it up (expert installation recommended for Sailmail).<<
Setting up Sailmail with a Pactor modem is a doddle provided you have a radio that can be controlled remotely via the modem. The Pactor modem is also an interface for weatherfax, RTTY, and Navtex. The vendor of the modem will advise and supply the correct leads for your radio.
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>>quite a good alternative to the expensive Pactor with a £250/year connection (when available).<<
No, Sailmail costs 250 US Dollars pa, not pounds.
>>However, I still gulp at the cost of a Pactor modem and difficulty in setting it up (expert installation recommended for Sailmail).<<
Setting up Sailmail with a Pactor modem is a doddle provided you have a radio that can be controlled remotely via the modem. The Pactor modem is also an interface for weatherfax, RTTY, and Navtex. The vendor of the modem will advise and supply the correct leads for your radio.
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BigART
Member
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
"No, Sailmail costs 250 US Dollars pa, not pounds."
Quite right, brain slow/fingers quick today. Likewise, the Iridium cost was 200 US Dollars pa.
Must read post before pressing button, Must read post before.....
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.DoItCruise.info>http://www.DoItCruise.info</A>
"No, Sailmail costs 250 US Dollars pa, not pounds."
Quite right, brain slow/fingers quick today. Likewise, the Iridium cost was 200 US Dollars pa.
Must read post before pressing button, Must read post before.....
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.DoItCruise.info>http://www.DoItCruise.info</A>
mdrifter
New member
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
There is no other modem that encodes/decodes Pactor 2 and Pactor 3. These protocols were developed by SCS and they designed and built the only suitable modems. No other modem tracks and corrects for frequency disparities between your transceiver and the sailmail station. No other modem provides the frequency control of your transceiver although the AirMail program can do that for you if your pc/laptop has a second comport. Many other modems will work with Pactor 1 but you will not be popular if you tie up the SailMail station uploading and downloading at the rate allowed by P1 and you only have 10 minutes per day! The AirMail suite of programes is designed around the SCS Pactor modems and will work with quite a range of transceivers although the M710 and M802 are probably the most used. Many use the Icom 706 and the Kenwood 570 although "ham" sets require to be "tweaked" to cover SailMail frequencies whereas the 710 and 802 do not...AIrMail will work with all the other available P1 modems but you'd be making a rod for your back imho...
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There is no other modem that encodes/decodes Pactor 2 and Pactor 3. These protocols were developed by SCS and they designed and built the only suitable modems. No other modem tracks and corrects for frequency disparities between your transceiver and the sailmail station. No other modem provides the frequency control of your transceiver although the AirMail program can do that for you if your pc/laptop has a second comport. Many other modems will work with Pactor 1 but you will not be popular if you tie up the SailMail station uploading and downloading at the rate allowed by P1 and you only have 10 minutes per day! The AirMail suite of programes is designed around the SCS Pactor modems and will work with quite a range of transceivers although the M710 and M802 are probably the most used. Many use the Icom 706 and the Kenwood 570 although "ham" sets require to be "tweaked" to cover SailMail frequencies whereas the 710 and 802 do not...AIrMail will work with all the other available P1 modems but you'd be making a rod for your back imho...
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ccscott49
Active member
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
So, what you're telling me is the pactor 2 & 3 modems wont work with the icom m700?
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So, what you're telling me is the pactor 2 & 3 modems wont work with the icom m700?
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ccscott49
Active member
Re: Reply from Sailmail
Thanks for your reply, just as I suspected. I will do exactly the same, but will wait a while for the satallite stuff, as I dont need it yet and it is getting cheaper and easier, as time moves on. I reckon soon it will be able to get internet etc very cheap. I dont need voice.
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Thanks for your reply, just as I suspected. I will do exactly the same, but will wait a while for the satallite stuff, as I dont need it yet and it is getting cheaper and easier, as time moves on. I reckon soon it will be able to get internet etc very cheap. I dont need voice.
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mdrifter
New member
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
I don't think that's what I said...the SCS modems are P1 & P2 capable "straight out of the box" and P3 is available for an extra c.$150. Just about any radio can be made to work with any "radio" modem if you are prepared to work at eviscerating the tcvr to find the appropriate points to inject/eject the signals and ptt line and via the mic skt is not always suitable...Some radios are designed for 100% duty cycle and I understand that the (older?) M700 is not one of those so it has to be run at lower power to prevent overheating - that of itself is no bad thing since too many folk don't seem to realise that a quieter squeak may be effective. The M700pro has fewer limitations although I think there is some info on hfradio.com about it only having 2 rf power settings? You could use the "cheaper" PTC-IIex but the M700 has only the "clone" jack skt, the M700pro has an nmea "rs232" for frequency control - doing it manually is of course possible but a pain. There is more in the AirMail help file.
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I don't think that's what I said...the SCS modems are P1 & P2 capable "straight out of the box" and P3 is available for an extra c.$150. Just about any radio can be made to work with any "radio" modem if you are prepared to work at eviscerating the tcvr to find the appropriate points to inject/eject the signals and ptt line and via the mic skt is not always suitable...Some radios are designed for 100% duty cycle and I understand that the (older?) M700 is not one of those so it has to be run at lower power to prevent overheating - that of itself is no bad thing since too many folk don't seem to realise that a quieter squeak may be effective. The M700pro has fewer limitations although I think there is some info on hfradio.com about it only having 2 rf power settings? You could use the "cheaper" PTC-IIex but the M700 has only the "clone" jack skt, the M700pro has an nmea "rs232" for frequency control - doing it manually is of course possible but a pain. There is more in the AirMail help file.
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ccscott49
Active member
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
OK, thanks for that. But what you are saying, is the same as a previous poster, who said it would require the set to be modified, with a suitable plug ets, connected internally, which I'm led to believe is going to cost more than the radio is worth. I think I will stick with my original plan and get the m700 and later, when it gets even cheaper, think about satcom "C" or iridium or whatever, even mini "M". For internet , Email, weather online etc. when at sea or out in the sticks and use local facilities when close to land or anchored etc.We shall see what developes in the sat communication market. Have to think though that when I retire, I dont need to communicate much atall!
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OK, thanks for that. But what you are saying, is the same as a previous poster, who said it would require the set to be modified, with a suitable plug ets, connected internally, which I'm led to believe is going to cost more than the radio is worth. I think I will stick with my original plan and get the m700 and later, when it gets even cheaper, think about satcom "C" or iridium or whatever, even mini "M". For internet , Email, weather online etc. when at sea or out in the sticks and use local facilities when close to land or anchored etc.We shall see what developes in the sat communication market. Have to think though that when I retire, I dont need to communicate much atall!
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Danthegorrila
New member
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
Hi If you go for it check out Kiel more. We have found them good and generally helpful the can supply all the bits.
The main advantage is that they do not have a limit per day there is a limit but its anual and huge. All for 200euros per year. We send emails for at least 1/2 per day.
pete
Hi If you go for it check out Kiel more. We have found them good and generally helpful the can supply all the bits.
The main advantage is that they do not have a limit per day there is a limit but its anual and huge. All for 200euros per year. We send emails for at least 1/2 per day.
pete
Sea Devil
Well-known member
Re: Icom 700 & Sailmail
Just to be simple and basic - I am certain Sailmail is the most economical and efficient way to go - the modem and software are very easy to set up and install - you can order the speciaised connections. I have done it twice so it must be pretty straightforward.!
Once you have paid for sailmail for the year, US$250 I think its now and got the modem there is no cost for the service......... Just think of the charges all the other systems make per call........ I have used Sailmail on a daily basis for years and been really pleased. No surprise bills and it works everywhere in the world.
Just to be simple and basic - I am certain Sailmail is the most economical and efficient way to go - the modem and software are very easy to set up and install - you can order the speciaised connections. I have done it twice so it must be pretty straightforward.!
Once you have paid for sailmail for the year, US$250 I think its now and got the modem there is no cost for the service......... Just think of the charges all the other systems make per call........ I have used Sailmail on a daily basis for years and been really pleased. No surprise bills and it works everywhere in the world.