By Toys_with_Time - 27 Apr 2019
I installed an ICOM M802 HF SSB radio and antenna tuner but the manual that comes with it is next to useless. Does anyone have any beginners notes / guides on using this radio - although I have a marine radio licence that was done a long time ago and twiddling dials is not getting me anywhere. I want to be able to use it to join radio nets when I cross the Pacific and possibly to link to a Pactor modem for grib file downloads.
Appreciate any help anyone can give me as haven’t found anything on the internet
Chris
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By bbalme - 27 Apr 2019
+xI installed an ICOM M802 HF SSB radio and antenna tuner but the manual that comes with it is next to useless. Does anyone have any beginners notes / guides on using this radio - although I have a marine radio licence that was done a long time ago and twiddling dials is not getting me anywhere. I want to be able to use it to join radio nets when I cross the Pacific and possibly to link to a Pactor modem for grib file downloads. Appreciate any help anyone can give me as haven’t found anything on the internetChris
Chris, that's a wide open question! Do you have specific areas of difficulty?
First, where is the boat? - if it's in a marina full of lots of tall metal sticky things (masts!), you'll have trouble hearing anything! If that's the case, move the boat to a quiet anchorage.
Now you need to tune in to one of the frequencies at the right time of day and listen in... There's a list of frequencies and times somewhere on the forum...
You can change channel with the right big knob. You'll see frequencies change or channels change (flip between displays with the Freq/Ch button on the keypad). Hopefully (probably) the channel you want is already pre-programmed - it's just a matter of rotating through the channels to find the right one. The Left hand knob will step you 20 channels at a time...
Once you find the channel you want, push the 'Thru Tune' button (top center) and you'll hear the tuner clicking...
Now you should be able to hear something if the propagation is any good.
Maybe that'll get you started - but ask for more specifics...
Good luck with it!
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By DariaBlackwell - 27 Apr 2019
+xI installed an ICOM M802 HF SSB radio and antenna tuner but the manual that comes with it is next to useless. Does anyone have any beginners notes / guides on using this radio - although I have a marine radio licence that was done a long time ago and twiddling dials is not getting me anywhere. I want to be able to use it to join radio nets when I cross the Pacific and possibly to link to a Pactor modem for grib file downloads. Appreciate any help anyone can give me as haven’t found anything on the internetChris
Have you tried Ham Radio for Dummies?
They also have a website with cheat sheets and you can download the entire pdf here.
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By Toys_with_Time - 28 Apr 2019
Bill
That’s about the right level of advice for me - big knob and little knob 😊. I did try it in a marina and got nothing so will try when I’m offshore - I’m in the Med so not sure if there is anyone using HF there and no idea what frequencies they would be using if there is anyone but want to get my skills up before I head West.
Thank you
Chris
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By Toys_with_Time - 28 Apr 2019
Vice Commodore
Have ordered the dummies guide and tried to buy Iddy-Yots guide to marine radio but Amazon won’t post it outside the US as it’s a 3rd party supply.
Cheers
Chris
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By bbalme - 28 Apr 2019
+xBillThat’s about the right level of advice for me - big knob and little knob 😊. I did try it in a marina and got nothing so will try when I’m offshore - I’m in the Med so not sure if there is anyone using HF there and no idea what frequencies they would be using if there is anyone but want to get my skills up before I head West. Thank youChris
Here's an older (2016) listing of SSB Nets but it should still be pretty accurate...
OCC Nets
OCC Caribbean SSB Radio Net 2015 - 2016
The OCC Caribbean radio net will be in operation again this winter from December to April as a minimum. This is not a HAM net so anyone with a SSB radio can join in. Getting the net started in December requires some persistence by the net controller to recruit contributors, so please listen and call until we establish a workable group after which it is self-sustaining.
0730 local time (1130 GMT) on most days usually Monday-Saturday on 6227kHz USB.
John & Christine Little have handed over to Simon & Hilda Julien aboard 'Barisa ' who intend to carry on the Net.
e-mail - sijulien007@gmail.com
OCC members if you are operating a Net that is not listed then please add the relevant information to the document on the Facebook page.
Other Nets
Please note that we cannot guarantee radio frequencies or times of the following:
Indian Ocean
Jupiter Net - 8297 USB at 1235 UTC (2015 fleet of vessels crossing IO, time will shift)
South East Asia
www.bruneibay.net/bbradio
Pacific
Weather for SW Pacific Islands, NZ and Australia -- Gulf Harbour Radio 8752kHz 1915 UTC detailed weather at 1930 UTC
SW Pacific – 8191kHz at0800 NZ Time
SW Pacific -- Magnet Net - 8122kHz at 1900UTC and 0430 UTC for boats underway west of Bora Bora
Rag of the Air – 8173kHz at 1900Z (7am or 8am local time in Tonga/Fiji/Samoa/NZ)
Namba Net covering New Caledonia/Vanuatu 8101 at 8.15am Vanuatu time (May – October)
Southern Cross -- 8191kHz at 2015 UTC Daily for people taking part Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Cal to Torres
Vanuatu Net - 8230kHz USB daily 2030UTC May - October. Eric & Anne Simmons, s/y reflection
Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Kaipara, Bret – 6516MHz at 1800-1900 NZDT and 4417MHz at 1900-1930 NZDT
Panama/Pacific Net –8147/8137 kHz at 1400 UTC
Mediterranean
Med Net – 6516kHz or 8131kHz/kHz on Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 0530 UTC
Dragnet – 6516kHz at 0600UTC
Local Cruisers Net, Maramis Turkey – VHF69 at 0900 local time Monday – Saturday
Navigators Net, Lagos, Portugal – VHF09 at 0930 Local time Monday and Friday
Europe
Around Europe - 8297kHz at 08.15 UTC German speaking but happy to speak english if you join in.
USA/Caribbean
Cruiseheimers Net – 8152USB at 0830 EST during summer and alternates with 8146 and 8164.
During Winter 6516 USB alternating with 6224, 6227 and 6230.
Doo-dah Net – 8152 USBat 1700 daily for taking passage reports.
Coconut Telegraph –8170 USB at 1200 UTC
Panama Net – 8107/8167USB at 1330 UTC
NW Caribbean –6209/6212 at 1400 UTC
Local Cruisers Net Curacao - 07.45 Monday - Saturday VHF 72
Ham Nets
European Maritime Mobile Net – 14297 kHz at 1900 UTC
UK Maritime Mobile Net -- 14303 kHz at 0800 and 1800 UTC
Trans Atlantic Net – 21400kHz at 1300 UTC
US Maritime Service Net -- 14300 USB
South African Maritime Mobile Net - 14316 USB sometimes switching to 7120 USB - 0630 UTC (Sam the net controller is happy to communicate with non hams via email www.sailblogs.com/member/southafricanmaritimemobilenet/
Caribbean Maritime Mobile - 7.250MHz Mon-Sat 1100 GMT weather at 1115 (informal net now that George in the USVIs has sadly passed away)
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By Toys_with_Time - 28 Apr 2019
+x+xBillThat’s about the right level of advice for me - big knob and little knob 😊. I did try it in a marina and got nothing so will try when I’m offshore - I’m in the Med so not sure if there is anyone using HF there and no idea what frequencies they would be using if there is anyone but want to get my skills up before I head West. Thank youChris Here's an older (2016) listing of SSB Nets but it should still be pretty accurate... OCC Nets OCC Caribbean SSB Radio Net 2015 - 2016 The OCC Caribbean radio net will be in operation again this winter from December to April as a minimum. This is not a HAM net so anyone with a SSB radio can join in. Getting the net started in December requires some persistence by the net controller to recruit contributors, so please listen and call until we establish a workable group after which it is self-sustaining. 0730 local time (1130 GMT) on most days usually Monday-Saturday on 6227kHz USB. John & Christine Little have handed over to Simon & Hilda Julien aboard 'Barisa ' who intend to carry on the Net. e-mail - sijulien007@gmail.comOCC members if you are operating a Net that is not listed then please add the relevant information to the document on the Facebook page. Other Nets Please note that we cannot guarantee radio frequencies or times of the following: Indian Ocean Jupiter Net - 8297 USB at 1235 UTC (2015 fleet of vessels crossing IO, time will shift) South East Asia www.bruneibay.net/bbradio Pacific Weather for SW Pacific Islands, NZ and Australia -- Gulf Harbour Radio 8752kHz 1915 UTC detailed weather at 1930 UTC SW Pacific – 8191kHz at0800 NZ Time SW Pacific -- Magnet Net - 8122kHz at 1900UTC and 0430 UTC for boats underway west of Bora Bora Rag of the Air – 8173kHz at 1900Z (7am or 8am local time in Tonga/Fiji/Samoa/NZ) Namba Net covering New Caledonia/Vanuatu 8101 at 8.15am Vanuatu time (May – October) Southern Cross -- 8191kHz at 2015 UTC Daily for people taking part Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Cal to Torres Vanuatu Net - 8230kHz USB daily 2030UTC May - October. Eric & Anne Simmons, s/y reflection Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Kaipara, Bret – 6516MHz at 1800-1900 NZDT and 4417MHz at 1900-1930 NZDT Panama/Pacific Net –8147/8137 kHz at 1400 UTC Mediterranean Med Net – 6516kHz or 8131kHz/kHz on Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 0530 UTC Dragnet – 6516kHz at 0600UTC Local Cruisers Net, Maramis Turkey – VHF69 at 0900 local time Monday – Saturday Navigators Net, Lagos, Portugal – VHF09 at 0930 Local time Monday and Friday Europe Around Europe - 8297kHz at 08.15 UTC German speaking but happy to speak english if you join in. USA/Caribbean Cruiseheimers Net – 8152USB at 0830 EST during summer and alternates with 8146 and 8164. During Winter 6516 USB alternating with 6224, 6227 and 6230. Doo-dah Net – 8152 USBat 1700 daily for taking passage reports. Coconut Telegraph –8170 USB at 1200 UTC Panama Net – 8107/8167USB at 1330 UTC NW Caribbean –6209/6212 at 1400 UTC Local Cruisers Net Curacao - 07.45 Monday - Saturday VHF 72 Ham Nets European Maritime Mobile Net – 14297 kHz at 1900 UTC UK Maritime Mobile Net -- 14303 kHz at 0800 and 1800 UTC Trans Atlantic Net – 21400kHz at 1300 UTC US Maritime Service Net -- 14300 USB South African Maritime Mobile Net - 14316 USB sometimes switching to 7120 USB - 0630 UTC (Sam the net controller is happy to communicate with non hams via email www.sailblogs.com/member/southafricanmaritimemobilenet/ Caribbean Maritime Mobile - 7.250MHz Mon-Sat 1100 GMT weather at 1115 (informal net now that George in the USVIs has sadly passed away)
That's great Bill, thank you will give it a go this summer.
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By starke - 1 May 2019
https://youtu.be/_8KSKaPQqns
Best wishes,
Charles
Charles L Starke MD FACP
s/v Dawnpiper
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By Toys_with_Time - 2 May 2019
+x
Charles
That's great - thank you for responding. Odd that during my Google search it didn't come up with any YouTube videos but there are loads and some of them seem very good too. Must have used the wrong search terms and I have to admit that, being a tad old fashioned, I was thinking book or pdf but the videos will make it much easier.
Airwaves here I come
Cheers
Chris
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By starke - 2 May 2019
T L Sparks CDR
Icom IC – M802 Made Simple for Cruisers: Hand Book for Starting the Dream
Excellent book. (On Amazon or Sparks web site)
Best wishes,
Charles
Charles L Starke MD FACP
s/v Dawnpiper
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By Toys_with_Time - 2 May 2019
+xT L Sparks CDRIcom IC – M802 Made Simple for Cruisers: Hand Book for Starting the DreamExcellent book. (On Amazon or Sparks web site)Best wishes,CharlesCharles L Starke MD FACPs/v Dawnpiper
Charles
Thank you, will order it.
Wishing you fair winds
Chris
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By ka4wja - 13 Mar 2021
Chris, et al,
Help with operating the Icom M-802 radio?
Well, the short answer is:
I think you'll find these videos show each button/knob's function, as well as what that function actually does....
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN6ygtZ3h2npivDjoFrC-8QKVyMb4tVr
This is the whole Playlist, where Charles Starke found my video that he posted the link to, earlier....
~~~~~~~~~~
The long answer is....well, it is REALLY long....so, if you (and/or others) are so inclined, have a look see.... :)
1) As a longtime OCC member, and an offshore sailor since the 1970's, I should probably check in to the OCC Forum more often....sorry about that. :(
As a longtime HF radio engineer / radio op (and installer --- having assisted in my first "marine SSB" install, in 1973), who has spent the last 50 years studying, and teaching, Radiowave Propagation and Antenna System Design (mostly on shore-side, but for on-board as well, both maritime and ham), and many aspects of modern radio communications....as well as spent many, many an hour in the real-world operating on-the-air, over the past 45 - 50 years, and have had more than a few friends / fellow sailors ask for my help understanding these things, so I decided years ago to try to help others that I'll never meet in person (using email, internet, and Youtube)....hence some of my rather long-winded and infamous postings on Cruiser's Forum and on the SSCA pages, as well as some helpful Youtube videos...
{Fyi, this all for free....I don't get anything from this, from anyone, no sponsors, no subscribers, etc....and I do not participate in any Youtube revenue streams, (no adverts), etc., nor do I market this info / educational material, nor do I attempt to get noticed, listed, "liked", etc. on-line....so, for these main reasons, you'll not find too many of my videos popping up to the top very much in Google searches, but they are there nonetheless, and have been for years (8 - 10 years on Youtube, and ~ 15 years elsewhere)....so, have a look at the links to the Playlists I put together, etc....and enjoy!}
Also, be aware that while I use HF radio (marine and ham) at the dock all the time (and regularly receive and print-out WeFax charts, while still tied to the dock)....and of course I use HF radio on-shore (ham radio) all the time....almost all of the discussion here of HF ("SSB") radio and sat comm / sat phones is for when out cruising, when at anchor or offshore / at-sea, and/or in remote locales....especially when you are away from cellular/mobile (and/or Wi-Fi) service...
"Radio Nuts" like me, use the radio all the time, instead of a phone, computer, etc.....but, for most others it's not a "love", but rather a tool to use.....although, when actually learning and experiencing success in HF radio comms, some skeptical sailors find themselves falling in love with "radio".... :) No infrastructure, no fees, no restrictions, no "out-of-service", no "not enough bars of signal", etc., so it can a nice change-of-pace for some....but, for many sailors, this is just a discussion about another tool / system on-board, and they won't fall in love with radio....and, while I think that a shame, I understand. LOL No worries here.... :)
2) In the world of radio communications we have an old adage: "If you can't hear 'em, you can't work 'em!" .....meaning successful HF comms is all about signal-to-noise ratio!
When it comes to improving the "signal", since the HF antenna system on most small boats is a compromise (that needs to operate from 1.6mhz thru 26mhz, and be effective / efficient for most HF maritime comms from 2mhz/4mhz - 12mhz, and/or 3.6mhz thru 14mhz for most ham radio HF comms), and in most situations on sailboats, the antenna is part of the rigging that holds the mast up, so its primary purpose is far from being part of a communications system, so the antenna is usually a compromise that is as good as we can make it, although attention should be paid to the antenna ground system, in order to improve your antenna system....
So now you see that, reducing the "noise" part is of great importance here, and while this used to be easy-peasy, now-a-days with the many RFI-generating devices on-board boats (both yours and others nearby), it can be a pain....but do-able, and necessary!
Now, with that adage in mind, please take note that the three most important criteria for success in HF Communications on-board are:
a) Far and above all, the Number 1 thing is reducing your on-board "radio noise" (RFI)
b) Tied for second place are:
b) --- learning and understanding radiowave propagation...(just like learning sail trim, navigation, weather forecasting, anchoring skill, head maintenance, diesel repair, etc., are important to voyaging / cruising....improving your knowledge and expertise in basic radiowave propagation is an extremely important part of successful HF radio operations.....understand this is long-range radio comms, without high-tech infrastructure, i.e. this is not like using a smart phone!)
b) --- improving your antenna system (and antenna ground system)...and making sure your radio is powered correctly (directly from the main battery bank, thru a dedicated breaker/fuse, not thru a distribution panel / breaker panel)....see details in linked postings, etc...
Those sailors who have installed, or are considering, an HF comm system (i.e. "marine SSB" or ham), that are unwilling to do these above tasks, are highly prone to poor results....and, unfortunately if the folks selling, and/or installing, this equipment are ignorant of these facts above (or worse are just too lazy to do anything about them), then the unfortunate sailor is left hanging, and usually these are the ones who say/write things like "SSB is old school....doesn't really work anymore." and/or "all you'll ever hear is static" and/or "a sat phone is much better", etc. etc....although, the facts don't support any of those statements (HF Comms, both SSB Voice and DSC, etc. are part of the GMDSS, and used daily....HF-DSC calls are almost constant these days, and there is a much higher use of HF-digital comms/PACTOR now than just 10 years ago.....and, if you look at the videos you'll see the lack of static and the ease-of-comms), this doesn't stop the falsehoods from spreading.....{heck, remember another old saying: "a lie will make it around the world, before the truth gets its boots on"....well, in the world of HF comms, this is sadly a truism...}
Please allow me to make a few observations here....and (as opposed to the mostly facts that I'm trying to project), allow me to type a quick opinion here:
---- few would buy a sailboat from someone who knew little about sailing.
---- few would buy sails from someone that knew little about sails/sailmaking.
---- few would buy an outboard motor from someone who knew little about outboards.
---- few would buy a diesel engine, or a computer, or a refrigeration unit, etc. etc.....from those who knew little about them...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BUT....(opinion alert)
---- But, it seems that many sailors buy HF radios ("marine SSB") from those who know little about HF Communications? One reason is that, those that sell/install most "consumer-grade" marine electronics have no clue about HF Radio at all (although many of those same retailers/installers erroneously think they do....they might know how-to program the radio, but nothing about how HF communications work!)....and those in the maritime world that do know, are either:
a) usually in the "commercial communications business" (selling, installing, certifying GMDSS systems)
b) small, specialty shops (like Dockside Radio, here in Florida, but sells/ships worldwide....)
http://docksideradio.com/
http://www.docksideradio.com/FAQ.htm
http://www.docksideradio.com/Cruising%20Nets.htm
http://www.docksideradio.com/Icom%20SSB%20Radios.htm
http://www.docksideradio.com/M803_ch_Guide.htm
SO.....
So, in addition to the 3 basic criteria, above, for success in HF comms on-board, another one is this: buy and/or have it installed by someone that REALLY understands this stuff, OR INSTALL IT YOURSELF (and learn about ridding your boat of RFI-producing devices, or simply disconnect 'em when using the radio; learn about radiowave propagation; optimize your antenna system / antenna ground system)....
If I had a few dollars for every so-called "professionally installed" HF system on a cruising boat, that I've either seen myself or heard on-the-air, that are truly crap....well, I could probably repaint my Awl-Grip, buy new sails, and spend a couple years out sailing in grand style....seriously, I just cannot stress enough the importance of those 3 criteria above, along with not taking some "professional's" word for things! (and, of course, make sure the radio/tuner/antenna....the entire system....works perfectly, right there at the dock, before you sail away / before you pay the final amount for any install work/labor....please don't believe the BS that "it will work fine, away from the dock....it just doesn't work at the dock", cuz that is BS...)
End of opinion / rant ~~~~~~~~
Now, I'm sure the cynics out there are saying: "isn't this guy exactly the kind of 'expert' he's saying not to listen to?".....or maybe they're thinking: "who the heck does he think he is, I get my advice from real people that I know"
And, yes, I understand the conundrum.....how do you take advice from someone you don't know, especially if they are implying that other advice is wrong, without even knowing what you may have been told?
So, to be blunt....of course, I'm not saying I'm right and everyone else is wrong, that would be awfully arrogant.....so, what I am saying is:
---- there is a dearth of actual factual info out there about HF comms on-board smaller boats (not large ships)
---- as the market is small, and the knowledge / expertise needed is vast, the "cost" of having an HF comms expert on staff is prohibitive for most marine electronics companies
---- unfortunately the internet spreads false (albeit, mostly well intentioned) info, far and wide
---- follow the simple rules-of-thumb that I and others (Sailmail, etc.) have been sharing for decades
---- take on faith (just believe) that there is a plethora of devices that spew RFI these days, where just 10 - 15 years ago there weren't nearly as many {heck, COSPAS-SARSAT, INMARSAT, and Iridium, have all been working with governments worldwide to try to get them to enforce their product certification standards, so that they can maintain their current [weakened] link budgets, rather than be reduced into the noise....imagine the future where EPIRB's get bigger, so that they'd have enough power to be heard by the satellites over the man-made radio noises that all of our consumer devices spew out? Not something that COSPAS-SARSAT, etc. is looking forward to!}
---- And, if the results in the videos aren't enough....have a look at not just the videos and read the on-point postings that I make, but also take a look at my "radio bio" on qrz.com, etc....as well as look at my boat, and my systems and their capability (they might not be 2020/2021 new, but they are "modern" and functional, both independently and linked/connected).....but, please know that I still sail with the adage of "I'm on my own"....and I need to keep the sea water on the outside, keep the mast up and sails trimmed, keep the boat pointing/heading in the right direction, and keep myself and crew well fed/hydrated....and anything extra (electronics, comms, etc.) is luxury.... :) :) :)
3) Please have a look at these video Playlists, where the videos have been arranged in a logical order, to better assist layperson sailors, or novice radio operators, in understanding many aspects of HF radio...[both "ham", and "marine SSB" (which for the past 20 some years is actually: "MF/HF-DSC-SSB-FSK-Radiotelephone", but that's a rather large mouthful of acronyms and nomenclature to swallow for the average sailor, so most just still use the old "SSB" description to delineate it from "ham" radio)]....yes, some of the individual videos appear in multiple Playlists, so there is some duplication...just skip the ones you've already seen...
Maritime HF Comms (HF-SSB, etc.)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN6ygtZ3h2nPNdApNsZDo_Jk3NB_Bt1y
HF-DSC Comms (an oft misunderstood part of the GMDSS, that has been with us for over 20 years now....and something that is of paramount importance if wishing to call another vessel [1000's and 1000's of merchant vessels plying the oceans daily that are required to monitor HF-DSC 24/7 and have HF-SSB radios at the ready, but not monitoring SSB Voice], and/or hundreds of coast stations, etc. etc...as well as provide a secondary source (after an EPIRB) of Distress signaling, etc.)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN6ygtZ3h2n3z5nlv-ga2zYuPozhUXZX
Icom M-802 Instruction Videos (takes you step-by-step thru all the buttons / knobs, as well as all the SSB and DSC functions of the radio....also useful for owners of other radios, as many functions are the same)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN6ygtZ3h2npivDjoFrC-8QKVyMb4tVr
Offshore Weather (offshore reception, etc. focused primarily on WeFax and ocean passages)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN6ygtZ3h2mPZAx2vWzdjTJjHlChruyY
Offshore Sailing (just for fun, no real "radio info in these")
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN6ygtZ3h2nbwAGh5DKgTCj15iyl6qoY
With the exception of a 25+ year old "GMDSS explanation video" (which I added some corrections to in the video description), all of these videos were recorded by me alone (with a standard-definition camcorder), with just my own extemporaneous narration and just the radio and my fingers....
FYI...3 things that set these videos apart from almost all others online (and far apart from any "classes" / "courses" you may desire to attend):
a) They are all done LIVE, as-it-happens, in the real-world, on-board a real offshore cruising boat (that I have personally sailed across the Atlantic, etc., a few times)....with no script/director, just the radio, my fingers, and my extemporaneous narration....no "simulations", nothing done "in a lab" nor "on a test bench", but again out in the real-world, just like everyone else uses their radios!
b) They are FREE for you to use and share with others, and I have no problem if you wish to download 'em and store 'em on your own computer to watch while on-board / at-sea / away from internet connection (just please don't use them to teach your own classes, nor try "sell" them)....nobody is trying to sell you anything, nor influence you to buy or subscribe to anything!!! (I make a living in professional communications --- radio comms, sat comm, internet, etc.....my sailing and my "ham radio" and "marine SSB" I do for fun and safety, not for money!!)
c) They are scrupulously designed and edited (albeit a bit roughly) to provide just the facts, with little to no "opinion", and as little bias as possible....[FYI, as I have made a good living in communications / sat comm, etc. I do love all of it....and, in addition to also having an Iridium 9555 sat phone, my brother and I were "alpha" and "beta" testers for Iridium back in the late "90's....so, I'm not "anti-sat-comm" at all.....but am very "pro HF-Radio"....and, I cannot imagine anyone not equipping with modern HF radio for offshore sailing....so, perhaps some "pro-radio" bias may be seen upfront, but I do try to make it "just the facts"...]
And, here you'll find page after page of reference material, almost all of it backed-up with factual / official sources and links...
Marine SSB Systems / Stuff (general info, as well as how-to better use/operate, troubleshoot/install)
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/marine-ssb-stuff-how-to-better-use-properly-install-ssb-and-troubleshoot-rfi-etc-133496.html
Marine SSB, proper installation tips/techniques
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/hf-ssb-radio-proper-installation-tips-techniques-etc-198305.html
GMDSS, HF-DSC, and how-to better use the GMDSS for offshore/cruising sailors
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/marine-hf-dsc-ssb-the-gmdss-communications-stool-legs-130640.html
ERIRB's, Distress Signaling, how to improve your odds of rescue in remote locales / open-ocean
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/epirbs-are-not-dead-epirb-activation-what-happens-how-to-improve-rescue-odds-146617.html
FYI, if like most cruising sailors / voyagers, you generally sail within a few hundred miles of these white dots and white tracks in this video.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV0iRkAATCY
Which are the worldwide positions/tracks of only some of the worlds SOLAS-grade vessels, over a 6 day period....(and if you're mostly beyond USCG helo range / beyond the "coastal lifeboat" reach of even many first world nations)....please remember that in a Distress situation that while activating an EPIRB is the first step, next or concurrently sending out a MF/HF-DSC Distress Alert is a great way of assuring two things:
1- You have a confirmation Distress Alert sent, that enforces the EPIRB alert, and almost certainly will trigger a response (even if the area you are in, has little to no SAR assets)....
2- You have alerted all SOLAS-grade vessels in range of your MF/HF-DSC signal (which would be within a few hundred miles, day-or-night, using 2187.5khz, and 8414.5khz DSC, day-n-night, and usually even much farther away)....and, it is these vessels that are the most likely rescue vessels / assets that will be the ones assisting/rescuing you!! {if you read the above thread and most especially the links therein, you'll see that even in the best-case-scenario it takes hours to find, contact, and vector, vessels in your area towards you....and, this can mean a vessel might be steaming along at 20+kts away from you, during those precious hours....}
And, even in non-Distress situations, when at sea.....do you require clean water, food, diesel fuel, medical assistance, etc.....or, maybe even just a good weather report, in order to find some good wind? If you're lucky and pass within sight of a large merchant vessel, you may be able to raise them on VHF (DSC or ch. 16 / 13), but what if you're unlucky enough to be farther than a few miles away, hmmm....now, you've got MF/HF-DSC, and you can send out an "All Ship's" "Urgency" (or "Safety") DSC Call, and if you do it on 2187.5khz, or another freq such as 4207khz, which might only be received by vessels within a few hundred miles....bingo, you've now got the assistance you needed...
Again, I'm not sure how/why sailors are steered away from equipping with a MF/HF-DSC-FSK-SSB Radio.....but, it just seems like a bad choice for those heading offshore / across oceans, etc...
https://www.itu.int/mmsapp/ShipStation/list
4) As for the commonly asked questions:
a) "do I need an 'SSB' if I have a sat phone?"
b) "which is better, 'SSB' or sat phone?" (which should actually be "PACTOR Modem" vs. a "sat phone"....but that's another discussion...although, personally I believe a pactor modem to be more useful/reliable than a sat phone, but if you've already got a sat phone, or are for sure equipping with one, a pactor modem is unnecessary....)
The truthful, definitive (actual real-world and engineering-based) answers to those questions rarely seems to satisfy some sailors.....so, please have a look at the basic answers here, and the very brief explanations here (and read the above discussion threads, and watch/listen to the videos), and you'll see what the straight scoop really is....
The basic/brief answers:
a) You don't actually "need" either.....many folks have safely and comfortably sailed the world without either, for many years / decades....
And, understand that these are two totally different systems, that do two completely different things, in two very different ways.....they are not competition with each other, but rather compliment each other...
--- A "marine SSB" (now-a-days a MF/HF-DSC-FSK-SSB Radiotelephone) is a "broadcast" device, i.e. your signal goes out to many / everyone within range (as your signal goes out to everyone at once, you do not need to call anyone in particular, but you can, of course, direct your call / alert, etc. to one person / one vessel / one coast station, or a group, or a network, etc. if your choose....or just let it go to everyone at once)
--- A "marine SSB" (as a "broadcast" device) allows you to communicate to a lot of folks....whether other vessels or coast stations, whether on "Cruising Nets", "weather nets", etc. or directly with a few coast stations (or on personal schedules)...
--- Most "marine SSB" also allow easy access and operation on the HF ham radio bands (assuming you are personally licensed for ham radio, 'cuz the "marine radio operators license" is not the same as the "ham radio license")....and some modern "marine SSB's", like the Icom M-802 are seamless / easy-peasy to use, and work very very well, on the ham bands....
--- A MF/HF-DSC-FSK-SSB Radiotelephone is part of the GMDSS, and as such is an easy and reliable means of two-way signaling other vessels and shore stations worldwide (via MF/HF-DSC), as well as an easy and reliable way of two-way communicating with other vessels and shore stations worldwide (via MF/HF-SSB, mostly after first signaling via DSC)
--- In addition to being part of the GMDSS (and hence a requirement for all vessels over 300 tons, and/or making int'l voyages/communications) Coast Guards and Maritime Authorities (US, Australia, NZ, etc.) also recommend HF-DSC-SSB gear on-board all private yachts sailing offshore and/or making ocean passages....and recommend use of HF-DSC for all initial signaling/contact {and fyi, Australia is planning on doing away with their HF Voice radio-watchstanding, which would leave only the USCG and Taupo Radio in NZ, as the last of the coast station hold-outs that still maintain a Voice Radio Watch....the rest of the 80+ HF Coast Stations and the 450+ MF Coast Stations, worldwide, maintain only a DSC Watch, and then use SSB Voice, etc. once initial contact/signaling is done via DSC....which is also the way all the 1000's and 1000's of SOLAS vessels maintain a MF/HF Radio Watch....and, of course this has been the case for all GMDSS signatory nations and all SOLAS vessels, for > 20 years now (required since Feb 1st, 1999)}
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=cgcommsCall
http://www.bom.gov.au/marine/radio-sat/voice-services.shtml
https://www.amsa.gov.au/news-community/consultations/consultation-maritime-high-frequency-hf-radiotelephone-australia
file:///C:/Users/johnm/Downloads/hf_voice_monitoring_consultation_paper.pdf
http://maritimeradio.org/taupo-maritime-radio-zlm/
https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/magazines/safe-seas-clean-seas/issue-52/issue-52-5.asp
https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/commercial/documents/Radio-Handbook.pdf
https://www.noonsite.com/the-essential-role-of-hf-ssb-radio-in-ocean-cruising/
https://www.itu.int/mmsapp/ShipStation/list
FYI, the talk of the demise of the GMDSS has gone on for years....and, while the GMDSS is certainly "a horse, designed by committee", and could use some updating.....it's definitely not going anywhere....(new INMARSAT FB and Iridium Certus recently getting GMDSS certification, and the continuation of WeFax broadcasts worldwide [not technically a part of the GMDSS, but still used by a majority of ships at sea], as well as MSI SITOR broadcasts, complimenting the INMARSAT-C broadcasts, etc. etc....all point to "updates" of the GMDSS, not the demise of it...) So, I'm hesitant to ad links to pages that talk of such things....but...
http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/Solas-Gmdss-And-Leisure-Sailors
http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/Long-Range-Communications
http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/Gmdss-What-Is-The-Future
--- A "marine SSB" is also a great way (easy-peasy and inexpensive) to receive HF WeFax (Weather Facsimile Charts and images) worldwide....and, for those unaware these are still considered the "gold standard" of offshore/hi-seas weather forecasts, as they are drawn by real humans, experienced maritime meteorologists (using the latest in satellite data, ship reports, buoy data, balloon data, etc., multiple computer models, etc., historical data...as well as the forecasters' personal experience / expertise with maritime weather systems).....this is in contrast to GRIB charts, which are simply raw computer model data (and unfortunately many sailors that do use GRIB's, use only one computer model)...
{Although, I use a separate / dedicated WeFax unit (a Furuno FAX-408, and before that an Alden MarineFaxIV, and in the 1970's an older Alden MarineFax unit for years), use of free software (JVComm32, GetFax, etc.) on your laptop, tablet, etc. and a simple wire connecting the headphone or speaker output of your "marine SSB" to the computer, gives you quick and easy HF WeFax Charts....see videos for details of this...}
Fyi, the last survey results from the IMO/ WMO/Jcomm (World Meteorological Organization / Joint Technical Commission for Oceanographic and Marine Meteorology) that I have, are from 2017, and even then we see that the majority of merchant vessels use NAVTEX as their primary MSI / Weather Information and forecast source, with HF-Radio and INMARSAT-C being next on the list (understandable, as the majority are making coastal or short international passages, rather than ocean crossings).....but when we look deeper, and look at those making ocean passages, etc. we see INMARSAT-C and HF-Radio (WeFax and SITOR) being the primary means of MSI / Weather Information when offshore!!! (and a surprising high number of comments on the poor reliability of "satellite internet"....) And, remember that these are larger vessels (most SOLAS-grade) plying the oceans professionally....so, they have the $$$$ and the regulations (GMDSS), to ensure good quality comms and weather info / Marine Safety Information (MSI)....so, why do small boat sailors wish to try something less-suited to the application (like a handheld sat phone, or a small portable satellite data unit like a "GO")?? I'm not 100% certain, but my guess is that they are "sold" the high-tech gizmos and "apps" by many marine electronics dealers who seek to exploit the mass consumer market of modern "smart phone users", rather than actually try to recommend the devices / services that would best suit that particular sailors application/desires (of course giving consideration to costs and the abilities of the sailor to properly use the equipment/services)...
BTW, please take note that all of the above uses / features of an HF radio ("marine SSB") are free of charge, worldwide!!! And, requires No expensive modems, nor specialty accessories at all!! No subscriptions, no fees, etc...
And while some will say that the equipment cost is high, it's usually about $3000 all-in, for new, state-of-the-art MF/HF-DSC-FSK-SSB Radiotelephone and remote tuner, and all cables/connectors/wires/antennas, etc....and sometimes less.....and, if buying a used M-802/AT-140, this cost is half or less.....those spouting off about $5k USD, are usually including the cost of the unnecessary $1800 - $2000 PACTOR modem, which would only be needed if you required easy-peasy business emails, or needed slightly faster low-speed data/email connection (4.8kb to 9.6kb), and did not have any sat comm gear... :)
--- A "sat phone" is a "point-to-point" device, i.e. you talk to one person, one-on-one (and you must know their phone number to call them / connect with them).....(a portable / handheld sat data device[such as IridiumGO], is the same....except that you need their email address, or phone number, to connect with them...)
--- If you have a external antenna for the sat phone and a way to connect it to your computer (a data kit), or a portable sat comm device (IridiumGO) you can get some very very slow-speed data service (2.4kb) to send/rec emails and some small attachments....and some use this to conduct some business and/or receive emails with GRIB chart data attached....but...but, unfortunately many fail to use them to receive WeFax charts (synoptic charts), so they end up spending money to get questionable (usually inferior) weather forecasts..... {fyi, yes raw computer model data is getting better, and short-term GRIB forecasts out 3 days is usually "okay"....but longer-term forecasts are notoriously erroneous....so, spending $$$$ to get inferior weather info just seems odd to me....but, again, this is usually due to the fact that few have actually explained things [about HF Radio, RFI, WeFax, GRIB's, etc.] to many sailors.....but, in any case....}
b) A Marine "SSB" (Marine MF/HF-DSC-SSB Radiotelephone) is better than a handheld sat phone (or portable sat comm data device) in most heavy-weather situations! Anyone that has ever tried to use a handheld sat phone (I have) or IridiumGO, etc. when bouncing around in a heavy sea, etc. knows quite quickly that a fixed-mount comm system is MUCH better/easier and much more reliable....(take note that you can also attain this ease/reliability if equipped with a fixed-mount professional maritime sat comm terminal....but that costs in the $5000 USD range, uses more electrical power and takes up valuable space on-board, below deck and on-deck....so, if you have the budget for it, have the space and electrical power, a fixed satcom terminal is also okay in heavy weather)
Of course, making a phone call is the toughest application....as this implies a seamless two-way communications link (like you'd get via HF Radio)....and, if you're doing it from an open space (an open cockpit or deck), then an Iridium handheld sat phone DOES work.....or, if you have an external antenna you can also make a call from below decks....
Now, if just sending a email, this is an easier application for inexpensive sat comm (handheld sat phone w/ data kit...or an IridiumGO), and while the speed is very slow, they do work well...
As you see....a "sat phone" or a "GO" is a point-to-point device.....and, if you need to make business calls (or send/rec business emails) when offshore and/or in remote locales, then a sat phone is a good choice....(especially since the loss of WLO/Shipcom radio, and the reduction in services from Australian HF Voice network, and I think the recent reduction of service of Brunei Bay Radio???)
Although, I suspect that the original poster has long since found the info / training he desired, I hope this helps many of you here. :)
Fair winds.
John, KA4WJA https://www.qrz.com/db/KA4WJA
s/v Annie Laurie, WDB6927 https://jerodisys.com/C470/foto_bot.htm
MMSI# 366933110 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfJaZzjVw7XkGBPdimLNBrg/playlists
P.S. I also put together a VHF-DSC Playlist, which just has one of my videos as an intro, and then a few mariner training videos showing VHF-DSC in use in the classroom...so, for those that might desire some basic VHF-DSC info / training, here ya' go...
VHF-DSC
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN6ygtZ3h2m-IejYg7J6QugtO2epizxF
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