Marine SSB Functionally Obsolete?

[Rick D]

I have a single sideband marine unit installed. It works; I have talked to others hundreds of miles away. However, I have never seen any evidence the USCG actually monitors any of the frequencies assigned by them. There is very little radiotelephone use. There is some traffic on the Mexican and Caribbean nets, but very little.

It seems that most local nets use VHF and ham is preferred or at least used more frequently for marine nets. And, high seas general communications are increasingly via sat phone.

SSB isn't something you continually monitor like VHF, so most communications are scheduled. However, that reduces the utility a lot.

So, it seems that it's slipping into disuse and obscurity and I question it's utility for emergency communication too.

What do you think? I was reading a recent PS article on sat phones that got me thinking.

 

[Benny17441]

I agree. Satellite communications is the way of the future. The ranks of ham radio operators are quickly dwindling.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Actually, according to the FCC statistics, the number of amateur radio operators in the U.S. is at an all time high and apparently increasing - not that this answers your question Rick.

Like all things, it depends... In this case, if you routinely sail offshore outside of VHf range, there are parts of the world that SSB is more reliable and available than satphone service not to mention the expense of satphone usage.

The main advantage SSB has over anything else is the ability to communicate with lots of people simultaneously. All forms of comms have their advantages and disadvantages.

What I prefer about SSB is that there is always someone with whom I can talk if the need arises. Plus it's more fun than a telephone but that's just my opinion.

 

[windward54]

Well put Don.

Rick, maybe it's time to get that general license and upgrade to an ICOM 802. I find more people out there on the ham bands that are there just to chat.

 

[Shoaldrafter]

question

Well put Don.

Rick, maybe it's time to get that general license and upgrade to an ICOM 802. I find more people out there on the ham bands that are there just to chat.

Can you get operators license without knowing Morse Code?

Ed K

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Can you get operators license without knowing Morse Code?

Ed K

yes. The Morse requirement has been eliminated.

 

[Chuckbear]

I agree with all of Don's point. We still use our SSB/Ham extensively when cruising. If you are sitting in local waters somewhere odds are it won't be of much value. But once out doing serious cruising it becomes an important piece of equipment. Most all of our cruising friends have SSB and we can stay in touch no matter what direction we scatter. In addition it is an important source to access weather information. Since someone is almost always on somewhere, we do consider it an important communications source in an emergency. For any real emergency, a registered EPIRB should be on board. Chuck

 

[Alan Johnson]

Would not go to sea without SSB

SSB is very much alive and usefull. On one of my prior trips to Bermuda, I needed to get in touch with Bermuda Harbor Radio ( their Coast Guard). Well out of VHF range, I dialed 2182 mh and immediately got a response. Made us fell much better. Now, with DSC it takes the search out of search and rescue as it now has the ability to transmit you lat and lon(is hooked up to a gps), you can speak to the rescue shore stations directly, and they know where you are and what is your emergency. If you have other boats MMSI munbers, if their radios are on, you call call them on the DSC and turn their radios on to a frequency you choose. I programed my radio with all the safety chanel frequencies so I can look around if frequency propogagion is a problem. On my last offshore we had a satelite phone and it never allowed us to complete a conversation after we said "hello". Piece of ********.

 

[Sumner]

... Now, with DSC it takes the search out of search and rescue as it now has the ability to transmit you lat and lon(is hooked up to a gps), you can speak to the rescue shore stations directly, and they know where you are and what is your emergency. If you have other boats MMSI munbers, if their radios are on, you call call them on the DSC and turn their radios on to a frequency you choose....

I'm familiar with DSC on the VHF radio, we have it, but is it also an option on a SSB radio? If so on which radios?

I just ordered a portable SSB radio, but it is receive only and I'd like to eventually get the license and get a 'real' radio.

Thanks,

Sum

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[Rick D]

Well put Don.

Rick, maybe it's time to get that general license and upgrade to an ICOM 802. I find more people out there on the ham bands that are there just to chat.

Yea, I have the book; time to get busy. ICOM 802? When the market gets overheated again maybe, or the daughter gets out of college... again...

 

[RichH]

On especially along and well off the east USA coast, the Canadian Maritimes, and all the way down to Trinidad (includes Bermuda) SSB is usually the sole means of boat to boat and boat to shore communication. There are many 'dead zones' for common sat phone. Usually in the early morning SSB activity is at its highest, as thats the prime time for weather router contact, etc. and quickly followed by boat to boat communications, ... depending on 'atmospherics', 'propagation' etc.; ditto too early evening for 'chat' although less active than early morning. The problem is you have to already know the active frequencies and activity times. At least on the east coast and 'de islans' with the ease of 'running into a port in adverse conditions' distant offshore passages are quite common; hence SSB usage is probably more used than on the port-scarce west coast.

As another poster listed, weather is the primary activity of SSB, both voice and data/WeFAX transmissions .... and professional Wx routers.

Especially the Icom 802 and other like SSB transcievers, they can easily be 'clipped' (easily reprogrammed) to also include HAM capability, if you have an amateur license ... and that also expands your 'true emergency' communication capability to (legally) connect with HAMs during such 'true events'. And also too, such radios also receive broadcast SW from the various national, etc. sources so you can 'keep up' with world news, etc.
To make SSB 'work' you really have to use it and know the active times (propagation) and frequencies, etc.
Also too, the designated DISTRESS frequencies can be heard to be active ... if you actively scan and actually listen.
On this past Friday a friend of ours hit an uncharted coral head between the Turks + Caicos and the Dominican Republic and did severe damage to his rudder / steering ... was certainly glad he had his SSB ... and thus got a quick response and a long tow back to the "Turks", etc. (If he only had an EPIRB he would have probably been forced to abandon his boat, after 'rescue').

 

[Bill Roosa]

and it is cheap to operate. Satcoms charge by the minute/digit!!!
You can also do email in the middle of the ocean and there is Automatic position reporting (APR) so others can track your progress.

 

[Forrest15112]

I agree. Satellite communications is the way of the future. The ranks of ham radio operators are quickly dwindling.

This isn't true. The number of licensed operators in the US is higher than at amy point in the last 15 years, possibly longer. I didn't look for any data beyong the mid 90's. One of the reasons is the removal of the morse code requirement for voice priviledges on HF frequencies.

Besides the long distance voice communications, there are other modes that some of you could be overlooking. If you're familiar with Sailamail, you know one of the modes utilized is via ssb. One thing you may not realize, is that there is a free service run by the amateur radio community that is basically identical in function. The service is called Winlink. One advantage of Winlink is the availablity of more participating stations (RMS gateways or Radio Mail Servers) and the ability to have a functional system without having to purchase the expensive PACTOR II & III TNC's. Winlink has been built around the SCS PACTOR platform, but some RMS's use PACTOR I ( free) which is very common with standard TNC's. Winlink users also have access to a free program called Winmor which doesn't have quite the speed of PACTOR III, but doesn't cost $1200 either.

All it requires is a computer & soundcard interface. You obviously will have a PC if you're sending email and your transceiver. The soundcard interface is just a simple circuit that will connect the mic and speaker on the radio to the audio speaker and line in on your PC but keep them isolated. It's necessary to prevent ground loops (noise). I have built interfaces for around $25, but typically cost $50 -$100 complete. There are dozens of other modes which utilze the interface too, like weather fax, & PSK31( google it- it's like texting via ssb and very reliable, and one of my favorite modes).

There are lots of cruisers that use Winlink. I've seen their position reports in the system. If anyone has any use for Sailmail, I would suggest they look into Winlink too, an amateur radio license is very easy to acquire these days. You don't have to be an engineer, just learn to pass a test that's based upon a specific pool of questions that never change. It's a fun hobby and this is not nearly as complicated as my description may sound. If you're interested in getting licensed, search for a local amateur radio club and they should be very enthusiastic about helping you. More info can be found at the ARRL website as well.

 

[windward54]

Yea, I have the book; time to get busy. ICOM 802? When the market gets overheated again maybe, or the daughter gets out of college... again...

Time to either pass the tests or get a marine station license for the LGYC!

 

[wahoo42]

SSB newbi

This isn't true. The number of licensed operators in the US is higher than at amy point in the last 15 years, possibly longer. I didn't look for any data beyong the mid 90's. One of the reasons is the removal of the morse code requirement for voice priviledges on HF frequencies.

Besides the long distance voice communications, there are other modes that some of you could be overlooking. If you're familiar with Sailamail, you know one of the modes utilized is via ssb. One thing you may not realize, is that there is a free service run by the amateur radio community that is basically identical in function. The service is called Winlink. One advantage of Winlink is the availablity of more participating stations (RMS gateways or Radio Mail Servers) and the ability to have a functional system without having to purchase the expensive PACTOR II & III TNC's. Winlink has been built around the SCS PACTOR platform, but some RMS's use PACTOR I ( free) which is very common with standard TNC's. Winlink users also have access to a free program called Winmor which doesn't have quite the speed of PACTOR III, but doesn't cost $1200 either.

All it requires is a computer & soundcard interface. You obviously will have a PC if you're sending email and your transceiver. The soundcard interface is just a simple circuit that will connect the mic and speaker on the radio to the audio speaker and line in on your PC but keep them isolated. It's necessary to prevent ground loops (noise). I have built interfaces for around $25, but typically cost $50 -$100 complete. There are dozens of other modes which utilze the interface too, like weather fax, & PSK31( google it- it's like texting via ssb and very reliable, and one of my favorite modes).

There are lots of cruisers that use Winlink. I've seen their position reports in the system. If anyone has any use for Sailmail, I would suggest they look into Winlink too, an amateur radio license is very easy to acquire these days. You don't have to be an engineer, just learn to pass a test that's based upon a specific pool of questions that never change. It's a fun hobby and this is not nearly as complicated as my description may sound. If you're interested in getting licensed, search for a local amateur radio club and they should be very enthusiastic about helping you. More info can be found at the ARRL website as well.

We are in NO, have an SSB on our Hunter; find it daunting, but desirable to learn how to use it. Can you direct me to someone who can help?

Roy

 

[AtlanticAl]

I have a GMDSS license, and a ham radio license, I have a Icom M700 that has all the ham transmitt and receive, as well as the marine transmit and receive, (well not all the ham, obvously not in smaller bands) I also used to have an Iridium phone, and now have a mini m phone, (though its never had a subscription, so never been used) I prefer radio, because you can plug them into our computer, and use sofetware such as ctty, to dowload weather maps, you can also get routing information from the specific nets, you can talk to the coast guard, talk to ham operators, talk to ships, you can listen and get a lot of info about weather in areas you are heading for, just by listening to chatter.

I find that people who dont use radio, usually dont have a qualification, and just wish it would go away, and leave everyone with just a sat phone. I sailed with one guy, who fancied himself as a round the worlder, but he never thought radio was important enough to bother doing a course in it, he was going to take a sat phone, but his idea of getting weather maps on it, was hook the sat phone to the internet, and slowly download the weather maps from the internet, at a cost of 2.50 a min, ten downloads, maybe 4 mins each, 100 dollars, plus any time you want to speak to anyone, its more dollars, and when you are out at sea, you realise how important it is to talk to people who are not there, cost goes up and up, with a radio, its free, (unless you do link calls) You also have the listening advantage, where on a boring watch, you can just listen to the chatter, and search the stations.

 

[windward54]

We are in NO, have an SSB on our Hunter; find it daunting, but desirable to learn how to use it. Can you direct me to someone who can help?

Roy

Roy, there is a SSB and HAM Social group with its own Forum. You have to join the social group to post on the forum, but we have a lot of members. One of them ought to be able to send you off in the right direction. Out here on the West Coast it was easy. Gordon West conducts classes every few months, some tailored to the boating community.

To get to the SSB and HAM forum, just click on the FORUM tab. The list of forums will come up. The SSB and HAm forum is toward the bottom of the list. Just remember to join the sociual group first before you post questions!

And it only seems daunting at first. It really isn't all that hard to learn.

 

[captmikem]

Forrest gives a great post. I have used sailmail (and now winlink) all over the world, for those who don't know, it is text only email. easy to keep up with things when you have free email on a small boat.
But of even more importance is that you can get the best weather from the US govt that prints out easy to read wind and sea forecasts (GRIB files). I download them at least twice per day and they help tremendously.
I have an ICOM M710 that I have taken around the world twice and it still works as great as the day I purchased it. It is a great radio and I would hate to go to sea without it.

My advice, for what it is worth, is if you are going offshore, SSB and pactor is very valuable. if you are coasting, inland waters or intracoastal sailing, then you probably won't use it.

Mike