Guest Brett Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Have a new cruising boat, it has a SSB is it worth getting new insulators on my new backstay or is ssb becoming obsolete with sat phones these days. looking at doing NZ and then maybe the islands. Thanks guys Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bad Kitty 252 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Main benefit of SSB is free weather & email via sailmail. (paid subscription though) Cheaper than sat phone. And if you scream mayday there may be a boat handy that's listening, although I'd put my 10 cents on an EPIRB for that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 352 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 35 minutes ago, Guest Brett said: Have a new cruising boat, it has a SSB is it worth getting new insulators on my new backstay or is ssb becoming obsolete with sat phones these days. looking at doing NZ and then maybe the islands. Thanks guys for the small cost I would spend the money. What Radio and Tuner do you have? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brett 0 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 38 minutes ago, marinheiro said: for the small cost I would spend the money. What Radio and Tuner do you have? Icom and icom auto tuner. ‘it’s all there and apparently works, probably hasn’t been used for 8 years or so at a guess. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dtwo 157 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Benefit of SSB are nets where you can listen in and find out where everyone is. Entertainment at sea.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brett 0 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Ok I guess it’s worthwhile to keep then. Tanks for the helpful comments Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 352 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 1 hour ago, Brett said: Icom and icom auto tuner. ‘it’s all there and apparently works, probably hasn’t been used for 8 years or so at a guess. do you know the model no's? An ICOM Marine radio would be one of M700/M710/M802 Tuner AT130 or AT140 (for 802 only) just checking if you have a marine set or a HAM set eg 718. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brett 0 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I will check tomorrow I am pretty sure it’s a marine set but will check, thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sail Rock 28 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 SSB is a useful backup in case your satphone / IridiumGO packs up. Been known to happen. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,584 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 If you were installing from new I wouldn't bother ( I'm in the process of pulling mine out - free to a good home). If its there and working or cheap to get going, have a play and see if it's you. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I don't agree with BP's post above. Although it is not as popular as it was once, IMO SSB still has its place, especially on a long term offshore cruiser. It's cheaper to operate than an iridium go, and, coupled with a pactor 4, faster for email/forecasts etc as well. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 360 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I accept your opinion IT but I’m with BP Cell coverage in most of the world cruising destinations are more than adequate to maintain normal life. on a passage satph is a tech we all understand even if much more expensive however for a short time, however SSB is fiddly and often suffers from problems with either grounding or antenna or operational error. Where I’d still use SSB is in a longterm liveaboard world cruiser that going to spend extended time in remote areas. Then you would probably have a satph also. just my two cents worth Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,584 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 It's a personal choice I think. The alternatives are easier to use, come with a monthly subscription ( can be suspended when not in use). The only thing you are excluded from is the ssb nets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 399 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Yes I would be hanging on to it as IT says Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,584 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Coincidentally this being discussed right now in an offshore cruisers group. About 50/50. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adrianp 120 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 4 hours ago, Black Panther said: It's a personal choice I think. The alternatives are easier to use, come with a monthly subscription ( can be suspended when not in use). The only thing you are excluded from is the ssb nets. Following Sea is a service that is bridging the gap between Sat Phones and SSB nets. You subscribe to the right list and get emails from that net sent through to the sat phone. At least that's how I think it works. https://followingsea.net/nets Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sail Rock 28 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 4 hours ago, Black Panther said: It's a personal choice I think. The alternatives are easier to use, come with a monthly subscription ( can be suspended when not in use). The only thing you are excluded from is the ssb nets. Agree. Setting up comms on a boat is a personal choice. SSB might be last century but is still quite fun to use in a geeky sort of way! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bad Kitty 252 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Kessler syndrome - Wikipedia Would be a bad day for Iridium, but also GPS! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brett 0 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Hi I have a icom M802 with a AT140, looks like I will add the backstay insulators and tidy it all up and learn how to use it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 10 minutes ago, Brett said: Hi I have a icom M802 with a AT140, looks like I will add the backstay insulators and tidy it all up and learn how to use it. Great radio, and pretty modern! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.