Communication in the Caribbean

[Rick Webb]

I am helping to plan a trip around the Caribbean. We are looking into communications for the trip and were wondering about how prevalent wifi is down there. We are leaning towards a sat phone connected to a laptop for weather info and reporting on location and plans to back home. Attached is a map of our plan.

 

[Nice N Easy]

Communications

Have you considered Ham/Marine SSB radio? With it you can log onto the marine nets, which would probably give you the best weather conditions, and learn about any other conditions at planned destinations. There is also a web site called Ship Trak, that you can relay to, and anyone with a computer can go to their web site and find your current position on a chart. Pretty neat deal. You can also use it with a printer to download weather and you can send email, although it is slow. Probably much cheaper than sat phone.

 

[Clark]

winlink 2000

You should look into the Winlink2000 radio email service. Winlink 2000 is an amateur radio service where email is sent and received via radio. I have used it and it's very effective. Sailmail is the commercial version but has fewer stations to connect to and conditions may prevent actual connections. Winlink requires at least a General Class Amateur radio license that is easier than ever to get since morse code proficiency has been eliminated. Winlink requires a Pactor TNC and a SSB HF radio. That radio can be used for voice comm's with maritime nets and the TNC can also be used to receive and decode weather fax info. There's plenty of information at www.winlink.org.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Maritime Mobile Service Network

As Niceneasy said, you might want to check out the website for Hams and NonHamson SSB radio. The maritime Mobile service Network will plot you on shiptrak.org and everyone can see your position and you can leave messages on there for others to read on the internet. The MMSN will also make phone calls for you, check weather reports and a host of other services. It is run by volunteer HAMS and is absolutely free. Check them out on mmsn.org and shiptrak.org

 

[Captain Bob]

To answer your question specificially.

Which is about Wi-Fi, not SSB, WiFi is popping up in harbours everywhere. Some of it is pay, some of it free with purchase. One guy, Bill Dietrich, goes to a cafe in Benner Bay, buys a Coke, and get's free wifi.You can also buy Marine kits that have:All-weather (+9 dBi) 31" Marine WiFi Antenna High Performance 802.11g Buffalo High Speed WiFi card(with built-in 100 mW amplifier) Hawking 500 mW amplifier 18' (5.4m) white low-loss cableMarine Deck or Rail Antenna MountAll parts, cables and connectors are included.What these kits get you is extended range, to the point that you can pick up a signal 1/2 to 1 mile away. And if it is unsecured, mooch off the signal. I am assuming you know this only works in harbour and close to land where a signal is available.You also mention weather info. You can get that with a Sony shortwave and OCEN software, and not have to by an expensive marine SSB radio. The Sony simply plugs into your audio jack on your computer, and the software decodes the signal. There is also portable HAM antenna's that you can by and erect only when needed. Metso and Kelli on Mico Verde did this. You can read about it at http://www.micoverde.com/docs/articles_wx.htmlAnother option in harbour is simply getting an unlocked GSM/GPRS PDA. I used mine the last time, and had the weatherfax emailed to my phone, which I IR'd to my laptop. I had to buy SIM's in some countries, but had GPRS in most places. You gotta have a quad band unlocked PDA or smart phone though.

 

[Rick Webb]

SSB Was Considered

The initial outlay is significantly more than a satphone. We can get a satphone for $450 and then pay $0.99 a minute or less.

 

[Captain Bob]

$450! Really.

In that case I would certainly suggest the SatPhone. Be careful of the data rate though. If it is low, the WeFax stuff could cost you.But then you could also supplement with a Sony/Grundig for WeFax, SatPhone for email, and WiFi in harbour.Sounds like you are on the right track Rick. All the best.

 

[Rick Webb]

That is How I'm Leaning Bob

I was surprised at the price too that sort of clenched it one can be rented for 160 a month but hardly seems worth it at that price. The phone has a 9600 baud rate, OK for text email and b/w charts. I had forgotten about short wave though. I have a small one I used in Europe that I'll bring along.Do folks trade DVDs? I was thinking of bringing a dozen or so to watch and then trade for others along the way.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

How long to download wxfax?

I have no idea how long it would take to download weather fax and weather reports on satphone, but on SSB, it can sometimes take as long as 30 mins. If its the same time for satphone, which it may well be, depending on how it is transmitted ( not how fast it can receive), that 99cent/min may not be all that great of a deal. Also, some forecasts only get updated every 4 hours. With Ham radio, someone somewhere on the mariners nets will have newer info. Possibly from other bpats or ships in your area that checked in with them.As for that link, i dont know what to say, except...buy a SSB radio from West Marine? at 2 to 3 times the price of what you really need?, A Grundig receiver which is totally inadequate in your home and a whole lot worse on a boat. A good quality ham radio SSB transceiver in excellent condition new $850, used $300. I think you ought to find a local HAM radio club and get some more info before your final decision. A receiver alone, can in no way compare to two way communications. HAM radio can also be a lot of fun mwhen traveling, in addition to being useful. There are lots of handicapped shut-ins that are hams and travel with you vicariously and feel like its their trip also when in constant touch with you.HAM is not for everyone, but its certainly worth investigating. Tony B KC5SDI

 

[Ross]

This seems to be one of the go to places

for off shore communcations.http://www.globalmarinenet.net/

 

[Andy]

And why would you do this to yourself?

Rick, because you sail the great Gulf Coast you may be a little more spoiled than the rest of us poor souls but why do you want to drag your demons to the BVI? Okay, sorry I asked, but here is what I know (or think I know). Your US cell phone will probably work if you are close to USVI (St. Thomas). For us, Cingular pka ATT worked from the boat. The Horizon charter boat in the BVI had a Cellular Boatphone (http://www.horizonyachtcharters.com/bvi/forms/CCT%20Boat%20Phone%20Explanation%20Jan%2007.pdf?page=gcharter)Also, at Trellis Bay there is a cyber cafe. Dinghy to it or walk there from the Beef Island airport (http://www.windsurfing.vi/)The Horizon site also has a link for this toohttp://www.bvimarinewifi.com/Our motto was this: If you can't take care of it by VHF, its too late to care or we just don't care!Have fun

 

[Captain Bob]

Andy, think ouside of the box.

He does not want to work, He wants to keep an online log wth pictures to let us and his loved ones know what a good/bad time he is having.You gotta remember HAM operators are fiercely loyal folks. The challange with any shortwave receiver is getting it to receive properly, grounding, and long antenna's and such. I am not saying it is a bad way to go, what I am saying is there are other ways to get the info you need. I have one, as well as a nice portable tuned antenna that works great for me. In my basement. In Atlanta.What works for you is best. I think you are armed with a whole lot more info now. Fair winds.

 

[Rick Webb]

Thanks Andy

You pretty much confirmed what I was expecting. WiFi is going to be easy enough to find in the larger areas. We can use that to get the weather for the longer passages. I will not be onboard for the entire trip with my wife working in Biloxi I can only leave the kids for so long. On the other hand with two teenager at home I might be tempted to leave and not return 'til they turn thirty or so.

 

[Rick Webb]

This Looks Like an Economical Option

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/-ecrfx80.html

 

[Andy]

Tongue in cheek Capt Bob

Base on Rick's post, I figured he knew better, but then he does seem like a he has a good conscience. Maybe he just likes this website so much he wants to keep all of us informed. Hey, we could play "Where in the Caribe is Rick?".Rick-good luck with the trip and the teens. They turn into interesting little persons once they get past the odd teen years. I just remind them of the three stages of fatherhood1 My daddy knows everything2 Oh daddy, you don't know nuthin'3 You know, my daddy used to say...

 

[Wanderer138]

Unrelated comment - but relevant nonetheless

Rick:I noticed that you plan to sail from St. Kitts to Antigua. That's dead into the wind across open water with big wind and big waves. If you're planning to make port at one of the south coast harbors (Jolly Harbour, Falmouth Harbour or English Harbour) you also have to round the SW corner of Antigua, which is strewn with reefs. There is a passage through the reefs, but once through, you still have to sail back upwind in big wind and seas to make port.Having sailed in Antigua and had to take that pick my way through the reef and bash back upwind to English Harbour, I'd have to agree with those who suggest going to Guadeloupe first (which is faster, more comfortable sailing) then beam-reach back up to Antigua. Of course, you could also just stop in St. Johns and take a taxi to English, but it's not the same.If you haven't already done so, get a copy of Streete's Guide to the Eastern Caribbean. It's no longer in print but you can order it through one of those places that print on demand. If you have the time, I'd HIGHLY recommend going to Tobago as well. It's a little out of the way but definitely worth the trip. Here are some photos to put you in the mood. Good luck.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[Franklin]

route

I second that idea of exploring other routes that people take. I've read that it's best to sail directly east from Florida and then head south to Anguilla and then hit the Bahamas, DR, PR, and the VIs on the way back. Reason...much better sail east north of the tradewinds. Once you get down into the tradewinds, anything east will be head into the wind and big waves to beat against. That 200-300 miles from DR to PR may turn into 800 miles beating unless you motor the whole way.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

And even motoring is tough. Why?

That route has a two knot current against you the whole way. It can be done. Lots of sailors do it. Powerboaters just use cargo ships or a delivery crew. For sailors, the trick is to wait somewhere around the lower Exumas until a norther blows in, then ride a beam reach as far as possible to the Virgins. Worked for me. We had nearly a week at sea, non stop. The boat was screaming nearly the entire way but the GPS stayed around 5 knots. How's the weather up north? We're in a campground in our camper at Lake Havasu. Found yet another hotspot. I have no idea who's antenna we're using. They're everywhere.

 

[Rick Webb]

Another Idea to Explore

Someone suggested Vonnage (sp?). I think I remember hearing that anywhere you can connect to the internet and plug the phone into the computer the phone will work. Anyone have information on this?

 

[Wanderer138]

Vonage is pretty widespread

Vonage or other VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) long distance telephone services are becoming increasingly popular in the Caribbean. All you need is broadband Internet access and a credit card, preferably with a US address. If you subsribe to the service here, I imagine all you would need is a location with broadband access, which most islands now have. Wifi hotspots are popping up everywhere, so connecting shouldn't be a problem. Damn, I remember when you had to call the overseas operator to make an international call...PeterH23 "Raven"