Next message: Marce Schulz: "lv-ab: Ham radio recommendations?"
At 08:58 AM 1/3/2002 -0600, Stan Gardner <> wrote:
>On a similar theme, I just installed a SSB radio and am wondering how
>people are using theirs. Is Sailmail the way to go? Do I need the
>expensive PACTOR II modem? The channels available are a little
>overwhelming. Any advice for a novice?
We're hams and use Winlink. It's the same software, Airmail, as for
Sailmail. We've found it really great to stay in touch. It is slow and you
find yourself constantly reminding people not to quote your emails in their
entirety.
It's usually worth it to do a bit of studying and get a ham license. Winlink
is free and you get in effect unlimited air time. Each station has a
30-minute daily limit as opposed to Sailmail's 10-minute, but you can simply
use another station if you really need more.
I assume you mean the SCS PTC-IIe "modem". Yes, you really do need it. There
are other, less expensive ones that _will_ work. We wound up spending money
for one of those and for the PTC-IIe, learning the hard way. It's true what
we were told, "You can also take a razor blade and put a slit from top to
bottom in your sails and they'll work, but....".
Hope this helps!
Rick Morel
--------------------
S/V Final Step
Port of Iberia, LA
http://www.morelr.com/coronado/
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