Next message: (no name): "Re: [world-cruising] B and R rig for ssb antennas...."
Marine SSB and satellite phones are communication mediums with
different missions. One dose not substitute for the other. So, a
financial comparison is something akin to apples and oranges.
If you have the need to communicate with a specific location, or
person, with great reliability nothing beats the satellite phone.
But it is expensive to use and not a technology that lends itself to
the kind of enjoyment one can relaize from SSB nets and the like.
For emergency situations I'd like to have both handy. However, for
typical cruising communications nothing beats the marine SSB.
Donald
--- In , Peter Ogilvie <roverhi at dot dot dot >
wrote:
>
> What does a sat phone cost to purchase, the monthly and per minute
charges??? They are probably great in an emergency or for really
important communications but I thought were too pricey to use for
casual conversation.
>
> The nice thing about Ham radio is the sets are cheap, the
installation relatively easy, and, once installed, pretty much free
to use. They were great for local area nets in the islands and MM
nets while on passages. If you have friends you want to talk to who
are also Ham's, you can talk all day if you want. Think with the
change in licensing requirements, more and more people are going to
get there licenses so you won't be short of people you can talk to.
Of course, that's the other edge of the sword if you really want to
play hermit.
>
> Aloha
> Peter O.
>
> Aloha
> Peter O.
>
> Michael Lahrkamp <mlahrkamp at dot dot dot >
wrote: I know I'm gonna get a rap
for this: In my opinion, HF is primarily used
> for long range communication - getting weather, etc. Seems to me
the
> whole situation regarding antennas and the like gets eliminated
when
> considering satellite communications as an alternative to SSB/HF
and
> what's rapidly becoming antiquated technology. Still, lots of
boats have
> HF and having used both, the sat phone makes life so much easier
(and
> more reliable for me based on my last ocean passage). No cutting
rigging
> or holes in the hull, no large power draw, no tuners or ground
planes
> and no licensing. Leave it on all day and it rings when someone is
> trying to contact you. Every crew member who's ever used a cell
phone
> would intuitively know how to use it. They're small and portable
so you
> can take it with you into a life raft should the situation arise.
Low
> cost to acquire but there is a cost per minute usage. :-(
>
> Anyone else have some thoughts? Maybe a new thread?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mike
>
> Soul Healer, B411, Toronto, Canada
>
> ________________________________
>
> From:
> [mailto:] On Behalf Of Bryan Genez
> Sent: May 17, 2007 10:29 AM
> To:
> Subject: Re: [world-cruising] Re: ssb antennas....
>
> On 5/17/07, Donald Smith <donsmith at dot dot dot <mailto:donsmith%
40att.net> >
> wrote:
> >
> > Friends,
> >
> > Every time one cuts a cable and inserts a mechanical splice
(i.e., an
> > insulator) a potential failure point is introduced to the
system. No
> > matter how one tries to rationalize that mechanical connection
an
> > additional potential failure point has been added. That's a
fact!
> > If one can avoid potential failure points then that is prudent.
> > That's fundamental engineering.
> >
> > Of course an insulated backstay works well as an antenna. So
does
> > just hoisting a piece of wire from a halyard. So does the split-
lead
> > antenna for GAM. The fact is that on a sailboat the counterpoise
> > (RF ground) has more to do with the efficiency of an antenna
than the
> > antenna itself (assuming adequate length, insulation, and
tuning).
> >
> > So, make your antenna choices as you will and SSB to your hearts
> > delight.
> >
>
> An element of fundamental engineering is the science of making
> attachments
> that will stand up to their environment. The reality is that the
failure
> rate of backstay insulators is ridiculously low. I know of only
one in
> the
> past 25 years, and that was because the insulator was not attached
> properly. Most boats that I've seen have potential failure points
far
> more
> likely to fail than a insulated backstay. Most of these potential
> failure
> points were designed-in by the builder.
>
> The backstay antenna has the advantage that it can be used while
> underway or
> in heavy weather. Most other antennas will not work under those
> conditions.
>
> Another alternative that I've been told works is the "Outbacker" -
a
> clamp-on vertical antenna that does not require a tuner. A web
search
> will
> turn up specifics.
>
> --
> Best,
> Bryan Genez
> "Capella" V40-158
> New Bern, NC
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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