Bahamas and SSB radios

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EvenKeel

EvenKeel

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May 24, 2007
49
Catalina 350 Herrington Harbor
I'm hoping I can make it to the Bahamas for a few months next winter. I would probably spend a good deal of time away from the more developed islands. Maybe I would stretch it to the Turks & Caicos or even the Dominican Republic. The recommendations from cruising authors regarding single sideband radios range from "highly recommended" to "imperative" for these islands. I do not want to install one if I can get away without it. The Bahamas are probably as far out as I will ever get, and I'll be going coastal from the Chesapeake to get there. Could I do this with reasonable safety with just VHF, or perhaps a short wave receiver? Gary Even Keel II
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,438
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
either way

I'm pretty sure there is no absolute answer to what are the required safety items to constitute a safe passage. Some have SSB, EPIRB and a liferaft as std euuipment; others have nothing. I would suggest you reconsider if the only reason for not having a SSB radio is the complexity of the installation. It isn't that difficult to create a reasonable system for simple communications and only tends to get a little more complicated when one adds a modem and data communications needs. Installation of the dreaded counterpoise about which there are lots of horror stories can be completely avoided with certain antennas and minimized with others. You'd also miss out on a number of nets as well as fairly dependable comms with other cruisers. If the budget alows, a basic SSB bought used with a tuner and antenna could be had for less than one thousand dollars. If it was me, I'd want one simply to add to the enjoyment of talking with other cruisers.
 
EvenKeel

EvenKeel

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May 24, 2007
49
Catalina 350 Herrington Harbor
Cruiser's nets

I hear you about the cruising nets. I gather that this is quite an organized thing in the Bahamas, particularly Georgetown. Would be nice to get in on that.
 
Rick I

Rick I

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Jan 6, 2007
414
CS36Merlin and Beneteau 393 - Toronto
No need for SSB

Usually you're in vhf range with either other boats or homeowners. Vhf is widely used in the Bahamas by homeowners and businesses. It's like the telephone and was used as such before cell phones gained popularity. There are nets on SSB and frequently they're asked to be on the lookout for such and such a boat. Myself I'm not too interested in having a ssb rig but I do have a small Sony that receives ssb. I get the weather on it and sometimes listen to the various ssb nets. I've been coming here since 1990 and have seen the changes in communications. Many cruisers now do have ssb but it isn't strictly necessary either for safety or communication. You have to remember there's hundreds of cruisers here and very few travel alone, most have buddy boats they travel with, especially those heading further south than Georgetown. You need a laptop and a good wifi antenna more than a ssb. As far as getting away from the more developed islands, you'd better hurry up or there won't be any to go to. The rate of development of these islands recently has been amazing.(sent from my boat at anchor in Georgetown).
 
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Buck2796

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Dec 24, 2003
233
- - Va. Beach, Va
EvenKeel,

I spent February cruising the Exumas (as far down as Georgetown) on my H420. I do have SS, but didn't use it at all. Almost all of the Bahamaian islands that you will go to, have cell phone coverage. I was able to use my Verizon phone in many places ($1.29/min). You can also buy a Bahamian cell phone w/ minutes that will work w/ almost all BETLCO sites. Most marinas have WiFi (usually free) or a computrer you can use, to get on the internet. A good friend on another Hunter(456) went out to the Turks and Caicos w/o SS. He has a Sat phone (Globalstar), that works only occasionally. Even so,he had no problem staying in touch, mostly by e-mail. So, SS is certainly not imperative. IMHO, for your purposes, VHF, a cell phone, and a laptop will be all you'll need. If you are still concerned, check the plans w/ Globalstar.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,047
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Did Brian & Steph have SSB?

See the Boat Babe post on Sails call lounge and find their blog, on this website, of their trip there. I just don't recall that they did on the 25 foot boat. Great documentation of their trip, enhanced by the pictures of the boat and its crew! :) Someone here must have a link to that long and well done story.
 
hutch5151

hutch5151

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Jun 8, 2004
83
Kirie-Elite Elite 37 Niceville, FL
Weather data in the Bahama's

I just completed a trip to the Bahama's (Abaco's, Exuma's, Andros). In most cases the VHF radio is adequate for weather information, along with good long range antena for Wi-fi access. I also have a SSB receiver, and whenever I was out of VHF range, I monitored Chris Parker weather each morning. In the Abaco's, you can monitor the cruisers net each morning on CH68, and Weatherornot each evening on CH9. Going down the Exuma's, Highbourne Cay transmits weather each morning at 7:30 on VHF Channel 6 (not WX channel 6) and Exuma National Park transmits weather at 8:00 on Channel 6 (using virtual 'Buoy from buoyweather.com) Once you get to Georgetown, it's again on CH68 for the cruisers net as well as wi-fi access on Habour wi-fi. As you go further south, you will need to monitor Chris Parker each morning for weather updates. Again, this can be done by SSB receiver. A lot of cruisers I met along the way also used a Globalstar phone to receive an e-mail from Chris Parker or Buoyweather on the weather at their current or expected location. I hope this helps some in your decision process.
 
EvenKeel

EvenKeel

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May 24, 2007
49
Catalina 350 Herrington Harbor
Skype?

Great advice y'all. At least I'll get a SSB receiver. Has anyone tried Skype for voice calls? Looks like a winner for when you have a decent WiFi internet connection. It's free if you are talking with someone else via their computer on Skype (even with webcam!), and nominal if you call a regular phone. Gary Even Keel II
 
Rick Webb

Rick Webb

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Jun 2, 2004
3,554
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Skype for Sure

I've been keeping in touch with my neighbor as he cruised to the Bahamas and now towards Central America
 
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Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,174
CC 30 South Florida
Get a portable SSB receiver,

Sangean sells one for about $100 that is very good. With proper software you can hook it up to your PC and get weather faxes.
 
Rick I

Rick I

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Jan 6, 2007
414
CS36Merlin and Beneteau 393 - Toronto
Use Skype all the time

Gave upon the phones. Batelco must be one of the worst phone companies in the world. Very few usable pay phones left in the Bahamas. Batelco is going like the rest of the world and not repairing them. Skype is fine but you need the bandwidth. It's a bit hit and miss here so we augment it with Skype instant messaging text while we're talking. No need anymore to go ashore to do the calling. (sent from GT at anchor about a mile from the shoreside wifi).
 
nonlinear

nonlinear

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Aug 11, 2006
27
Hunter 376 New Bern, NC
SSB for me

A new ICOM 718 sells for $599 and can be opened up for Signal Side Band because it is a HAM unit.. but is still easy to use. The Auto Tuner, a new LDG AT-100 for $179. For the Ant. just a wire that is more then 23 feet long, attached to the mast. Or I use a Whip Ant. that was easy to install. Don is right about the NETs.. Keeping in touch with other boats out of VHF range is a lot of fun. Nonlinear is located in Jolly Harbour, Antiqua using WiFi & Skype to call home. It is important to have a long range unit like the EnGenuis EUB-362 EXT with a better ant. for less than a $100 or an outdoor unit like the one from IslandTimePC.. See Link
 
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