SSB or SatPhone

[prv]

Less and less people to talk to anyway...especially on those er, 'cruiser nets'

A while ago, via one of those Internet-connected SDRs, I spent a few evenings with a supposedly "maritime mobile" ham net chuntering away in the background. It was nearly all elderly American men in their "shacks" at home, and what traffic wasn't boilerplate net procedure (about 2/3rds of it) was utterly trivial drivel. Over about a week of listening I think I heard two people who were actually on boats, and everyone else got very excited about it. The people on boats didn't really have anything useful to say, though - like nearly everyone else, they were "just checking in".

Pete

 

[GHA]

Like a comment in the windvane thread, those long term, long distance cruisers who have and (know ho to... ) use Ham/SSB generally seem to be very reluctant to get rid of it ...

Jeanne Socrates makes comments like this almost daily >

https://www.svnereida.com/blog/

2:50pm Just finished a very enjoyable ham radio session on the Hawaiian Afternoon Net - all islands represented and there were several people I've spoken to before now. I had excellent copy on everyone and was made to feel very welcome - thank you all for that! Disappointing that I shan't be able to meet with some of you by stopping - one of the drawbacks of a nonstop voyage is not being able to meet face to face with any of the many radio contacts I've made... Not just now, for sure.

 

[LadyInBed]

Like a comment in the windvane thread, those long term, long distance cruisers who have and (know ho to... ) use Ham/SSB generally seem to be very reluctant to get rid of it ...

Jeanne Socrates makes comments like this almost daily >

https://www.svnereida.com/blog/

It maybe a bit harsh but it sounds like a Single Hander craving someone to chat to!

 

[geem]

We have SSB and Garmin Inreach. If I had to choose between the two I would keep the Inreach. Very versatile compared to SSB. We do use the SSB mainly for weather but Inreach is great for keeping in touch with friends and family. We also get weather updates from a sailing friend on longer passages. Inreach is very cheap to operate and works anywhere

 

[GHA]

It maybe a bit harsh but it sounds like a Single Hander craving someone to chat to!

Maybe just gregarious.
Solo onboard I don't bother chatting much either on the anchorage vhf nets or HF, though round the Atlantic it's generally pretty quiet anyway.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Garmin inreach+ for me.
Add an iPad and a portable solar charger (I've got a voltaic Fuse 10W) and I have a complete stand alone navigation and communication system that could even come with me in the life raft. The charger will do my HH vhf too.

Spent many years on HF up and down to the Falklands and I'm happy I don't need to be doing that anymore.

 

[Neil_Y]

I'd use Garmin Inreach but would be quite happy to have a boat that had an SSB set up fitted. It is nice to keep in touch with people you meet along the way, or share weather info in a small net. Some times it's nice to feel you're not alone out there. No need for a sat phone as far as I'm concerned.

 

[bikedaft]

It seems to me that the cost of setup, complexity, problems that can occur with the installation etc outweigh the higher ongoing running costs of a satphone by a long way.

I'm quite attracted to the Inreach at the moment, especially as the portability means I can use it for extended arctic treks and mountaineering too.

Thoughts?

Inreach is great. relatively cheap to buy, and monthly billing (or not), if you are not away). it did not suffer from the cold on a recent frosty overnight trip up a hill like eg mobile phones do (although it was not that far below freezing) and the battery lasts a while, easy to recharge via USB. texting is fiddly tho can use preset messages. tracking is free. small and light.

suspect there will be competitors soon, and that market will take off.

 

[Ohlin Karcher]

Garmin inreach+ for me.
Add an iPad and a portable solar charger (I've got a voltaic Fuse 10W) and I have a complete stand alone navigation and communication system that could even come with me in the life raft. The charger will do my HH vhf too.

Spent many years on HF up and down to the Falklands and I'm happy I don't need to be doing that anymore.

Hi Buck, those chargers cost hundreds, is it worth it over the cheapo ones on ebay? It may be if they are properly salt water proof and rugged, just wondering..

 

[Frank Holden]

This is well worth a read..... Day 308 if you are late to the party...

https://www.svnereida.com/blog

 

[Ohlin Karcher]

This is well worth a read..... Day 308 if you are late to the party...

https://www.svnereida.com/blog

That's a very strong argument in favour of SSB! (and thanks for the link)