We had a tragic loss of one the sailors from our marina this week (see related link). One thing interesting about this incident is that the survivor used a satellite phone to get rescued. He actually called a relative in Toronto Canada from the boat which was off Iceland who then called the coast guard in Canada who called the coast guard in Iceland who rescued him within 90 minutes. I have been preparing for an off shore trip and have been thinking about getting a SSB/HF radio but some other sailors I have talked to say having a satellite phone is better. I know both would be ideal but the cost is high. Any thoughts on this subject? Does anyone know how much a satellite phone costs? I've heard you can rent them for a trip offshore.
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From My Limited Experience
I would install an SSB and rent a sat phone for specific offshore trips. Since it can be hard to justify the cost, consider a used set with a whip antenna rather than an insulated backstay. The trend on newer large power yachts is to carry sat phones and dispense with SSB, according to delivery skippers I know and from what I have read. They, however, feel you give up way too much in the way of safety by being unable to communicate with vessels and authorities outside of VHF range. You also lose access to the many nets that are such an important part of cruising. That probably isn't the answer you wanted to hear, but it's my evaluation. I really do think renting a sat phone for long passages makes life a lot more comfortable for the folks home. I also believe the marine telecommunications facilities on SSB to be problematical. Good luck on your decision. Rick D.
I would install an SSB and rent a sat phone for specific offshore trips. Since it can be hard to justify the cost, consider a used set with a whip antenna rather than an insulated backstay. The trend on newer large power yachts is to carry sat phones and dispense with SSB, according to delivery skippers I know and from what I have read. They, however, feel you give up way too much in the way of safety by being unable to communicate with vessels and authorities outside of VHF range. You also lose access to the many nets that are such an important part of cruising. That probably isn't the answer you wanted to hear, but it's my evaluation. I really do think renting a sat phone for long passages makes life a lot more comfortable for the folks home. I also believe the marine telecommunications facilities on SSB to be problematical. Good luck on your decision. Rick D.
Like Rick's idea.
The HF radio has many more advantages like downloading weatherfax and free phone calls. But the sat phone, if affordable, can easily be used by even the greenest of crew members. HF radio, especially a used ham set, is a very inexpensive way to stay in touch. I made a $25. antenna from plans provided by one of our HOW regulars, Ron Pearson. Goes up on a spare halyard. The radio I got on his recommendation from E-Bay.
The HF radio has many more advantages like downloading weatherfax and free phone calls. But the sat phone, if affordable, can easily be used by even the greenest of crew members. HF radio, especially a used ham set, is a very inexpensive way to stay in touch. I made a $25. antenna from plans provided by one of our HOW regulars, Ron Pearson. Goes up on a spare halyard. The radio I got on his recommendation from E-Bay.
Get Both
I have both Globalstar and Iridium. My son, a mountain climber, uses Iridium all over the world, but uses a BGAN for data. Globalstar is better in North America and the Carribean if you want to use data. Both are availabe and are very economical. (see link) www.satelliteoutfitters.com Problem with sat phone is they are not very weatherproof. We got knocked hard offshore and my sat phone (Globalstar) was in my foul weather gear pocket on my jacket - which was laying in the cockpit. We got water into the cockpit, floating my jacket and dunking the phone. It worked for about 24 hours and then died. We were in a steel hulled boat and the phone would not work when below. In my fiberglass hull, they work below just fine. Advantage of having SSB too is that you may can get rescued faster because ships in your area may be monitoring SSB. Data on Globalstar is very reliable, with the most basic plan, 99 cents per minute, and at 9600 baud. Not fast, but it does work. SSB is free, but slow. If you are going offshore and not just coastal crusing, I would get both. If you have a problem out there where you really need these, you are not going to believe how inexpensive you are going to think they are!
I have both Globalstar and Iridium. My son, a mountain climber, uses Iridium all over the world, but uses a BGAN for data. Globalstar is better in North America and the Carribean if you want to use data. Both are availabe and are very economical. (see link) www.satelliteoutfitters.com Problem with sat phone is they are not very weatherproof. We got knocked hard offshore and my sat phone (Globalstar) was in my foul weather gear pocket on my jacket - which was laying in the cockpit. We got water into the cockpit, floating my jacket and dunking the phone. It worked for about 24 hours and then died. We were in a steel hulled boat and the phone would not work when below. In my fiberglass hull, they work below just fine. Advantage of having SSB too is that you may can get rescued faster because ships in your area may be monitoring SSB. Data on Globalstar is very reliable, with the most basic plan, 99 cents per minute, and at 9600 baud. Not fast, but it does work. SSB is free, but slow. If you are going offshore and not just coastal crusing, I would get both. If you have a problem out there where you really need these, you are not going to believe how inexpensive you are going to think they are!
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