By Rod.Halling - 25 Jan 2021
Hi All,
My wife and I are off (with a little luck and a following wind blowing away some Covid) on a three year possible circumnavigation and need certification to use our SSB radio. The courses that we have found on the web seem to be very long and involved - usually for ship's radio operators it seems. Does anyone know of a course that will allow us to use our SSB that is less than 2 weeks long? I am sure that I heard somewhere of a 2-day course, but can't find it anywhere...
Wishing you all a better year...!
Rod
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By bwallace - 25 Jan 2021
Hi Rob,
I am not sure where you are based, but if UK, Try Bob Smith, at Yachtcom in Southampton. Email office@yachtcom.co.uk
I did his SSB course about 15 years ago, I think it was over 3 days including the exam. Lots of preparation beforehand makes the exam reasonably straightforward.
For distance cruising an SSB is a great companion and helps you to share your problems and joys with other yachts in your vicinity etc. Besides the obvious weather and safety factors.
So give Bob a call and stay safe
Over!
Brian
S/V Darramy
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By Dick - 25 Jan 2021
+xHi Rob, I am not sure where you are based, but if UK, Try Bob Smith, at Yachtcom in Southampton. Email office@yachtcom.co.ukI did his SSB course about 15 years ago, I think it was over 3 days including the exam. Lots of preparation beforehand makes the exam reasonably straightforward. For distance cruising an SSB is a great companion and helps you to share your problems and joys with other yachts in your vicinity etc. Besides the obvious weather and safety factors. So give Bob a call and stay safe Over! Brian S/V Darramy
Hi Rod,
Here is hoping your plans come to pass. They sound great!
I take it you are UK based as this would not be an issue for a US based operator.
I believe the following to be true, but please verify.
For marine SSB use in the US there is no formal training, but there is a license application. This makes sense as the marine SSB radios are designed to preclude the kinds of activities that are illegal (or frowned upon) and that formal training teaches you to avoid. (This is mostly done by having discrete channels that “force” you to stay on frequency.)
I was sailing-based in the UK and Europe for many years and found it bewildering how little SSB radio usage there was. This was after having come from a world where marine SSB usage was an everyday activity and instrumental in the sharing of information, weather, and staying in touch with friends and in making new friends.
Then I learned of the hoops (expense, time etc.) the UK made one go through to get a marine SSB cert. and it made sense. A better system could hardly be devised to ensure that cruisers would not adopt marine SSB. And to no end, as marine SSB is hard to abuse.
Amateur radio (ham) is another story. There the training makes more sense (now that Morse code proficiency is no longer required) and the equipment, being potentially far more powerful, flexible and sophisticated is open to abuse: inadvertent or otherwise.
Both marine and ham SSB are likely to be very appreciated in a myriad of ways in a cn so please do not get discouraged. Friends have waited till the Carib to get licensed and buy equipment (St. Martin is duty free). I would hope (and expect) that once out of UK waters, UK rules for marine SSB use would not apply.
BTW, what SSB do you have and is it installed with antenna coupler/tuner etc.?
My best, Dick Stevenson, KC2HKW, WCZ7717, s/v Alchemy
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By Roger Harris - 29 Jan 2021
I agree with the observation that SSB use is much more common in US-flagged yachts than those of Great Britain or the EU. Perhaps some of that difference is indeed attributable to regulatory hassles. However, I wonder if it’s not a cultural thing, too. I’m reminded of the indomitable Bob Shepton’s comments in “Addicted to Adventure” (2014):
“[A]ll these American boats seemed to want to keep in touch with each other via the Ham radio network. Part of this radio traffic comprised of a general injunction to report one’s position and course, the wind direction, wind strength and numerous other details, daily, to some controller on land.
“I could not help wondering what had happened to the peace and solitude of ocean sailing, and the mantra ‘On mountains and sea/If ye canna look after yourself/There you should not be,’ came to mind. I did not see why someone miles away on land should tell me what the weather was like where I was and direct which way I should go, however well meaning and well informed they might be. An over-reaction, perhaps, but I had just come from giving the weather lecture to soldiers in Bavaria, which I usually concluded by saying, ‘Study the clouds, watch the barometer, and spoil yourself by learning to read a synoptic chart, and you will know the weather.’ The contrast was glaring.”
Best wishes, Roger
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By Dick - 30 Jan 2021
+xI agree with the observation that SSB use is much more common in US-flagged yachts than those of Great Britain or the EU. Perhaps some of that difference is indeed attributable to regulatory hassles. However, I wonder if it’s not a cultural thing, too. I’m reminded of the indomitable Bob Shepton’s comments in “Addicted to Adventure” (2014):“[A]ll these American boats seemed to want to keep in touch with each other via the Ham radio network. Part of this radio traffic comprised of a general injunction to report one’s position and course, the wind direction, wind strength and numerous other details, daily, to some controller on land.“I could not help wondering what had happened to the peace and solitude of ocean sailing, and the mantra ‘On mountains and sea/If ye canna look after yourself/There you should not be,’ came to mind. I did not see why someone miles away on land should tell me what the weather was like where I was and direct which way I should go, however well meaning and well informed they might be. An over-reaction, perhaps, but I had just come from giving the weather lecture to soldiers in Bavaria, which I usually concluded by saying, ‘Study the clouds, watch the barometer, and spoil yourself by learning to read a synoptic chart, and you will know the weather.’ The contrast was glaring.”Best wishes, Roger
Hi Roger,
The difference in SSB usage may indeed be attributable to cultural differences. That said, there were a number of UK sailors in my years based in the UK who wished the process easier and at least one who just waited till he got to the Carib.
And there all sorts of reasonable ways to go out cruising: some are, for sure, like the author you quote, who believe that you should look after yourself, be on your own, and not be in contact with others, or not be out there. He comes quite close, to my mind, of espousing that there is a “right” way to go out cruising: his way.
Even the title of the comments you quote, “Addicted to Adventure” which points to a certain headset. I, for one, do not search for adventure in my cruising. I have loved ones with me and I am responsible for their safety and for the safety of my vessel. I am far more in line with Roald Amundsen who said: “Adventure is just bad planning”. If I can enhance the safety of my wife and son on a 6-day passage to Bermuda from NY by talking with Southbound II, Herb Hilgenberg, in his basement in Toronto on Marine SSB, I will certainly take advantage of his years of experience in weather forecasting and routing while recognizing that this in no way relieves me of any responsibility. (His many contributions to safe sailing on the North Atlantic won him a justly deserved award from the OCC.)
And there is many a very competent and experienced skipper who feel that good seamanship includes hiring a weather/routing advisor. The skipper should be already well versed and experienced in reading the weather in the way your quoted author describes, but it could be argued, the skipper would be remiss in not collecting data from sources available if it enhances the safety of vessel and crew. Again, collecting outside information in no way relieves him/her of responsibility for the vessel but might be supported as good seamanship and in no way deserving of being mocked.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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By Roger Harris - 30 Jan 2021
Hello Dick,
100% agree that there are many different styles of cruising, and no ‘correct’ way.
As you feel safer having an SSB, by all means do. Or if you just like the social aspects of cruising nets. No skipper should feel it necessary to justify their decision to use, or eschew, SSB communications ... certainly not to me, anyway!
My previous post was not intended to deter Rod from becoming licensed or using his SSB. Other than the cost of purchase and installation headaches, I see no real downside to having an SSB (and apparently his is already fitted, so he doesn’t have to worry about those issues).
Best wishes, Roger
P.S. I don’t know if you have yet had the pleasure of meeting Bob, but he is excellent company and in no way dogmatic.
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By Dick - 30 Jan 2021
+xHello Dick,100% agree that there are many different styles of cruising, and no ‘correct’ way.As you feel safer having an SSB, by all means do. Or if you just like the social aspects of cruising nets. No skipper should feel it necessary to justify their decision to use, or eschew, SSB communications ... certainly not to me, anyway!My previous post was not intended to deter Rod from becoming licensed or using his SSB. Other than the cost of purchase and installation headaches, I see no real downside to having an SSB (and apparently his is already fitted, so he doesn’t have to worry about those issues).Best wishes, RogerP.S. I don’t know if you have yet had the pleasure of meeting Bob, but he is excellent company and in no way dogmatic.
Hi Roger,
There exists a very wide range of sailors in the OCC: from among the most skilled and experienced in the world, to those who have yet to do their first ocean passage and are planning their outing.
I am far from among the first group, but in my responding to Forum questions and comments, very much have the second group in mind.
I do not know the audience that the author you quoted had in mind when he wrote his words, so his comments may have been perfectly matched to his audience and I have absolutely no problem with him saying them.
I do know those quotes found their way into a posting where the audience now reading them includes those who may have little passage experience as yet. I am not sure about dogmatic, you bring that up. But I am clear that a budding off-shore passage-maker (after reading the quotes) might feel vulnerable to ridicule if he/she wished to “keep in touch” with other boats or report actual conditions when talking with a weather person on SSB or sat-phone. Further, I have been reading synoptic charts and watching clouds and the barometer for decades and am very clear that a meteorologist will glean important-to-passage forecast data that I do not. That does not mean I use outside sources on every passage, quite the contrary, but I would not wish a budding passage-maker to shy from doing so because he might be perceived as not going it alone and be subject to a comparison where “The contrast was glaring”.
Again, the audience and context of the author might have made these comments completely anodyne, but to the OCC audience, I would wish to have a skipper, new to it or experienced, feel free to access supportive information and activities without worrying that he/she was abrogating the lost days when “peace and solitude of ocean sailing” prevailed or that elusive and often unrealistic ideal not doing something if “you canna look after yourself”.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Ps. I can’t leave alone the, to my experience, incorrect assertion that weather forecasters and routers “direct which way to go”. (Some skippers may choose to experience them that way and may treat their suggestions as gospel, but that is more on the skipper than the router.) In my early years, I benefitted greatly and learned a great deal from weather people and routers such as Herb Hilgenberg and Chris Parker. Neither would tell any skipper what to do or where to go. Herb might (and did) say that if you do such-and-such you will have a hard time and would counsel against certain skipper suggestions: but it was always clear that the skipper decided. And then there was a time when Herb told me (rather abruptly I thought) a few days out of the Azores that my barometer was off. Calibrating it when arriving ashore proved he was correct.
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By Dick - 30 Jan 2021
+xHello Dick,100% agree that there are many different styles of cruising, and no ‘correct’ way.As you feel safer having an SSB, by all means do. Or if you just like the social aspects of cruising nets. No skipper should feel it necessary to justify their decision to use, or eschew, SSB communications ... certainly not to me, anyway!My previous post was not intended to deter Rod from becoming licensed or using his SSB. Other than the cost of purchase and installation headaches, I see no real downside to having an SSB (and apparently his is already fitted, so he doesn’t have to worry about those issues).Best wishes, RogerP.S. I don’t know if you have yet had the pleasure of meeting Bob, but he is excellent company and in no way dogmatic.
Hi Roger,
You mention SSB in the context of “safety” and I thought I would kick off that to say:
With respect to safety alone: I would probably suggest, in most parts of the world and in a contest between SSB and a sat-phone, a sat-phone. Money seems no longer to be the deciding factor. 20-30 years ago, SSB was the easy choice I made (sat-com was far too much $$) for safety concerns and later appreciated its other benefits. That, I feel, is no longer the case. A sat-phone just provides pretty much instantaneous comm anywhere at any time and is useable (with a small amount of instruction) by any crew. On most boats, there is usually only one experienced SSB user and emergency comm using SSB is complicated and not always possible. (When in Greenland, with effort, I could not use SSB comm, either marine or ham, but the sat-phone was reliable for both voice and data.)
SSB was always a possibility for emergency comm and, although easy to find examples of its use in that way, generally was not that effective or the first choice: VHF and EPIRBs took precedence. But marine SSB comes into its own as way to connect a vessel and its crew to the recreational boating community through the nets that are common in, for example, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and the US east coast. I would also venture a guess that the majority of the boats (and the area is huge as is the number of boats) rely on Chris Parker’s SSB wx reports to get their weather: it certainly was the case for me and I would think even more so now.
I also received my email, gribs, wxfx’s for decades over SSB, as a ham this was for free. This can be done, for an ongoing price, more easily by sat-phone and will be the route many reasonable mariners take.
Random thoughts, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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By Dick - 30 Jan 2021
+x+xHello Dick,100% agree that there are many different styles of cruising, and no ‘correct’ way.As you feel safer having an SSB, by all means do. Or if you just like the social aspects of cruising nets. No skipper should feel it necessary to justify their decision to use, or eschew, SSB communications ... certainly not to me, anyway!My previous post was not intended to deter Rod from becoming licensed or using his SSB. Other than the cost of purchase and installation headaches, I see no real downside to having an SSB (and apparently his is already fitted, so he doesn’t have to worry about those issues).Best wishes, RogerP.S. I don’t know if you have yet had the pleasure of meeting Bob, but he is excellent company and in no way dogmatic. Hi Roger, You mention SSB in the context of “safety” and I thought I would kick off that to say: With respect to safety alone: I would probably suggest, in most parts of the world and in a contest between SSB and a sat-phone, a sat-phone. Money seems no longer to be the deciding factor. 20-30 years ago, SSB was the easy choice I made (sat-com was far too much $$) for safety concerns and later appreciated its other benefits. That, I feel, is no longer the case. A sat-phone just provides pretty much instantaneous comm anywhere at any time and is useable (with a small amount of instruction) by any crew. On most boats, there is usually only one experienced SSB user and emergency comm using SSB is complicated and not always possible. (When in Greenland, with effort, I could not use SSB comm, either marine or ham, but the sat-phone was reliable for both voice and data.) SSB was always a possibility for emergency comm and, although easy to find examples of its use in that way, generally was not that effective or the first choice: VHF and EPIRBs took precedence. But marine SSB comes into its own as way to connect a vessel and its crew to the recreational boating community through the nets that are common in, for example, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and the US east coast. I would also venture a guess that the majority of the boats (and the area is huge as is the number of boats) rely on Chris Parker’s SSB wx reports to get their weather: it certainly was the case for me and I would think even more so now. I also received my email, gribs, wxfx’s for decades over SSB, as a ham this was for free. This can be done, for an ongoing price, more easily by sat-phone and will be the route many reasonable mariners take. Random thoughts, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Hi all,
Perhaps of interest, at least with respect to my thoughts on what makes for a successful passage is my article "Key Attitudes in Passage-Making" which can be found in the Forum. Dick
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By Rod.Halling - 1 Feb 2021
Hi Roger & Dick,
Your thoughts are very much appreciated - thank you! Jane and I have found a 4-day course put on for the Oyster World Rally that would work for us, but it involves being away from home & children) for 4 nights which is no easy task in these COVID ridden times! Thankfully, there is also a local company in Plymouth that is running the full "professional mariner" version which is 2 weeks and very comprehensive - https://westernmaritimetraining.co.uk/course-calendar/gmdss-goc-general-operators-certificate-4/
This is the General Operator's Certificate. It is expensive (£1,300) but currently not paused due to COVID...
We have an ICOM SSB installed, but with no working ground plate or aerial, although we have an insulated backstay that we could use. Do you have any recommendations for installing a ground plate system?
As far as satcomms are concerned, we currently have 2 old but working Iridium phones and are looking at an Inmarsat Fleet One device. Not sure if we will have the loot left for this, as the refit has hoovered up rather a lot of loot!
I have always been of the "old school", being of the attitude that if you are out there, you should be able to "self-rescue" in pretty much all circumstances (last boat was aluminium for that reason, Magic Dragon is Kevlar reinforced with watertight bulkhead for the same reason). Having three young children aboard tends to moderate that mindset, so safety and comms gear is a little higher up the priority list that it used to be. Each to their own - I feel no pressure from either the Health & Safety brigade, or "look after yourself" mob! I do try to listen to good advice from salty seadogs like you guys, so thank you again.
All the best to you and your loved ones in these strange times,
Rod
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By Dick - 1 Feb 2021
+xHi Roger & Dick, Your thoughts are very much appreciated - thank you! Jane and I have found a 4-day course put on for the Oyster World Rally that would work for us, but it involves being away from home & children) for 4 nights which is no easy task in these COVID ridden times! Thankfully, there is also a local company in Plymouth that is running the full "professional mariner" version which is 2 weeks and very comprehensive - https://westernmaritimetraining.co.uk/course-calendar/gmdss-goc-general-operators-certificate-4/ This is the General Operator's Certificate. It is expensive (£1,300) but currently not paused due to COVID... We have an ICOM SSB installed, but with no working ground plate or aerial, although we have an insulated backstay that we could use. Do you have any recommendations for installing a ground plate system? As far as satcomms are concerned, we currently have 2 old but working Iridium phones and are looking at an Inmarsat Fleet One device. Not sure if we will have the loot left for this, as the refit has hoovered up rather a lot of loot! I have always been of the "old school", being of the attitude that if you are out there, you should be able to "self-rescue" in pretty much all circumstances (last boat was aluminium for that reason, Magic Dragon is Kevlar reinforced with watertight bulkhead for the same reason). Having three young children aboard tends to moderate that mindset, so safety and comms gear is a little higher up the priority list that it used to be. Each to their own - I feel no pressure from either the Health & Safety brigade, or "look after yourself" mob! I do try to listen to good advice from salty seadogs like you guys, so thank you again. All the best to you and your loved ones in these strange times, Rod
Hi Rod,
Glad you got sorted. Traveling with children, marine SSB will be very much appreciated: they are social animals.
Do you plan to use Sailmail? I used the equivalent in ham (Winlink) for all email, gribs, wxfx, etc for decades. The last two years I have been coastal cruising where internet by cell is so much easier.
Fleet (no personal experience) is if the internet needs are high and/or complex and very pricey. Where SSB did not work for me (only Greenland) we used iridium with a data hook-up. Worked a peach. More info if wished.
Short time now, but will come back on your other questions.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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By Rod.Halling - 1 Feb 2021
Hi Dick,
I think Sailmail would be good, although I have had recommendations to "Mail-a-Sail" who have good compression algorhythms for satellite and SSB use. We haven't looked in detail at the whole comms area yet. I am in the middle of (hopefully! touch wood) selling two companies which will allow us to disappear over the horizon with limited comms. If the sale doesn't proceed as planned, I may need to stay in touch, hence the possible need for Inmarsat Fleet One....
on another note, where are you at the mo'? It would be great to meet up when we are on our travels!
Wishing you the best as always,
Rod
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By Dick - 1 Feb 2021
+xHi Dick, I think Sailmail would be good, although I have had recommendations to "Mail-a-Sail" who have good compression algorhythms for satellite and SSB use. We haven't looked in detail at the whole comms area yet. I am in the middle of (hopefully! touch wood) selling two companies which will allow us to disappear over the horizon with limited comms. If the sale doesn't proceed as planned, I may need to stay in touch, hence the possible need for Inmarsat Fleet One.... on another note, where are you at the mo'? It would be great to meet up when we are on our travels! Wishing you the best as always, Rod
Hi Rod,
I still have no fixed/land abode. My mobile abodes include Alchemy (in Newfoundland where I am unable to get to her) and a small RV now in Florida visiting friends. I hope the sale goes through smoothly. The 2 "past-life" headaches most plaguing widely wandering cruisers were business related (sometimes even if sold) and house rentals.
I have heard good things about mailasail, but have no experience. You might call Jeremy or John at UUPlus for land based support for sat-phone, SSB compression etc.. They are extremely helpful, and very much on top of their game.
Gotta run. More to follow. Dick
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By Dick - 1 Feb 2021
+x+xHi Dick, I think Sailmail would be good, although I have had recommendations to "Mail-a-Sail" who have good compression algorhythms for satellite and SSB use. We haven't looked in detail at the whole comms area yet. I am in the middle of (hopefully! touch wood) selling two companies which will allow us to disappear over the horizon with limited comms. If the sale doesn't proceed as planned, I may need to stay in touch, hence the possible need for Inmarsat Fleet One.... on another note, where are you at the mo'? It would be great to meet up when we are on our travels! Wishing you the best as always, Rod Hi Rod, I still have no fixed/land abode. My mobile abodes include Alchemy (in Newfoundland where I am unable to get to her) and a small RV now in Florida visiting friends. I hope the sale goes through smoothly. The 2 "past-life" headaches most plaguing widely wandering cruisers were business related (sometimes even if sold) and house rentals. I have heard good things about mailasail, but have no experience. You might call Jeremy or John at UUPlus for land based support for sat-phone, SSB compression etc.. They are extremely helpful, and very much on top of their game. Gotta run. More to follow. Dick
Hi Rod, What is your radio and what is your coupler (tuner)? Dick
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By Roger Harris - 2 Feb 2021
Hello Rod,
If the GOC course is currently the only option, that’s unfortunate.
The trouble with MCA “professional mariner” courses is that they are aimed at a specific audience and are not necessarily very practical or hands-on. That was certainly my experience of the Approved Engine Course. It was five days long but only a few short hours were spent in the workshop; the rest were in a classroom memorizing answers to theoretical questions, in preparation for the all-important written examination. I could well be wrong, but have a suspicion that the GOC might be similar.
The Long Range Radiotelephone Operator’s Certificate is aimed at yachties and would probably be much more suitable for your needs. You can find a list of LRC course providers here: https://www.amerc.ac.uk/courses.php?action=lrc That list looks a bit out of date (e.g., I am pretty sure that Bob Smith - previously mentioned by Brian earlier in this thread - is no longer in business), but is a place to start.
I would also suggest telephoning both the RYA [www.org.uk] and the AMERC to enquire about the availability of LRC courses during Covid-19. While the Internet is great, sometimes a phone call to the right person yields reliable information a lot quicker.
In any event, please get trained. I would not suggest reliance upon the hope/expectation that UK rules governing radio usage cease to apply to UK-flagged vessels once they leave home waters.
Regarding your installation question, here are a few links that may perhaps be helpful:
http://www.yachtcom.co.uk/comms/antennas/index.html
https://www.practical-sailor.com/marine-electronics/conjuring-up-some-ssb-magic
https://icomuk.co.uk/An-introduction-to-Marine-SSB-Radio/3995/166/
https://www.cruisingworld.com/gear/installing-ssb-radio/
http://www.yachtwire.com/ssb.pdf
https://www.oceannavigator.com/fitting-a-new-ssb-antenna/
Best wishes, Roger
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By simoncurrin - 2 Feb 2021
Rod
We use the kiss SSB ground plate http://www.kiss-ssb.com/ in a plastic boat as we didn’t want to make extra holes for conventional ground plates. We don’t use SSB much as our set is elderly and and I get frustrated by the unpredictability of transmission and reception. Maybe we will use it more as we head into temperate latitudes? For us, IridiumGO does all that we need for weather, email, tracking and sms but that might be a bit controversial in this thread!
We did Bob Smith’ 4 day SSB course in 2006 and really enjoyed it.
Simon
+xHi Roger & Dick, Your thoughts are very much appreciated - thank you! Jane and I have found a 4-day course put on for the Oyster World Rally that would work for us, but it involves being away from home & children) for 4 nights which is no easy task in these COVID ridden times! Thankfully, there is also a local company in Plymouth that is running the full "professional mariner" version which is 2 weeks and very comprehensive - https://westernmaritimetraining.co.uk/course-calendar/gmdss-goc-general-operators-certificate-4/ This is the General Operator's Certificate. It is expensive (£1,300) but currently not paused due to COVID... We have an ICOM SSB installed, but with no working ground plate or aerial, although we have an insulated backstay that we could use. Do you have any recommendations for installing a ground plate system? As far as satcomms are concerned, we currently have 2 old but working Iridium phones and are looking at an Inmarsat Fleet One device. Not sure if we will have the loot left for this, as the refit has hoovered up rather a lot of loot! I have always been of the "old school", being of the attitude that if you are out there, you should be able to "self-rescue" in pretty much all circumstances (last boat was aluminium for that reason, Magic Dragon is Kevlar reinforced with watertight bulkhead for the same reason). Having three young children aboard tends to moderate that mindset, so safety and comms gear is a little higher up the priority list that it used to be. Each to their own - I feel no pressure from either the Health & Safety brigade, or "look after yourself" mob! I do try to listen to good advice from salty seadogs like you guys, so thank you again. All the best to you and your loved ones in these strange times, Rod
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By Dick - 2 Feb 2021
+xRod We use the kiss SSB ground plate http://www.kiss-ssb.com/ in a plastic boat as we didn’t want to make extra holes for conventional ground plates. We don’t use SSB much as our set is elderly and and I get frustrated by the unpredictability of transmission and reception. Maybe we will use it more as we head into temperate latitudes? For us, IridiumGO does all that we need for weather, email, tracking and sms but that might be a bit controversial in this thread! We did Bob Smith’ 4 day SSB course in 2006 and really enjoyed it. Simon +xHi Roger & Dick, Your thoughts are very much appreciated - thank you! Jane and I have found a 4-day course put on for the Oyster World Rally that would work for us, but it involves being away from home & children) for 4 nights which is no easy task in these COVID ridden times! Thankfully, there is also a local company in Plymouth that is running the full "professional mariner" version which is 2 weeks and very comprehensive - https://westernmaritimetraining.co.uk/course-calendar/gmdss-goc-general-operators-certificate-4/ This is the General Operator's Certificate. It is expensive (£1,300) but currently not paused due to COVID... We have an ICOM SSB installed, but with no working ground plate or aerial, although we have an insulated backstay that we could use. Do you have any recommendations for installing a ground plate system? As far as satcomms are concerned, we currently have 2 old but working Iridium phones and are looking at an Inmarsat Fleet One device. Not sure if we will have the loot left for this, as the refit has hoovered up rather a lot of loot! I have always been of the "old school", being of the attitude that if you are out there, you should be able to "self-rescue" in pretty much all circumstances (last boat was aluminium for that reason, Magic Dragon is Kevlar reinforced with watertight bulkhead for the same reason). Having three young children aboard tends to moderate that mindset, so safety and comms gear is a little higher up the priority list that it used to be. Each to their own - I feel no pressure from either the Health & Safety brigade, or "look after yourself" mob! I do try to listen to good advice from salty seadogs like you guys, so thank you again. All the best to you and your loved ones in these strange times, Rod
Ahh Rod,
Some might say you have entered the Twilight Zone.
The Black Arts realm of SSB installation: the realm where if you ask 4 mariners their advice, you will get 5 answers, sometimes contradictory and always confusing.
Firstly, you might include researching counterpoise as well as ground plane: but it varies writer to writer.
Next, there is the old school, of which I am a member. Which means 30 years ago I laid down ~~100 square feet of copper mesh screening in the bilge and laid some fg over it. My next boat had its counterpoise built into the hull as it was constructed (really smart as it costs little to do).
I was always known to have a very good to great signal and used the SSB a great deal for voice, (nets and boat-to-boat), and email/downloads (email, gribs, wxfx’s, Navtec, text wx) and for a decade or more it was my primary link to the world.
The new school being mentioned, I know little about.
Immerse yourself in it till you are completely bewildered: then keep going and it will start to come together.
My go-to people for advice of late has been Dockside Radio in FL.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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By bbalme - 4 Feb 2021
I'm in the good position of having an established ground plane in the boat (Copper strip moulded into the hull at the waterline) and I also have a KISS. Honestly, can't tell the difference between using either! So, if your boat does not have a good ground plane (counterpoise), as Simon says, the KISS is a MUCH simpler way to go.
A note on email via SSB - note now that Winlink is no good for sending emails to US recipients - the FCC in their wisdom outlawed it! So if you want to be in touch by email through SSB to US addresses, you'll need to subscribe to a commercial outfit - like Sailmail...
Enjoy your SSB! You'll wonder why you have it over here in Europe - but all will be clear when you go transatlantic and into the Caribbean!
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By Dick - 4 Feb 2021
+xI'm in the good position of having an established ground plane in the boat (Copper strip moulded into the hull at the waterline) and I also have a KISS. Honestly, can't tell the difference between using either! So, if your boat does not have a good ground plane (counterpoise), as Simon says, the KISS is a MUCH simpler way to go. A note on email via SSB - note now that Winlink is no good for sending emails to US recipients - the FCC in their wisdom outlawed it! So if you want to be in touch by email through SSB to US addresses, you'll need to subscribe to a commercial outfit - like Sailmail... Enjoy your SSB! You'll wonder why you have it over here in Europe - but all will be clear when you go transatlantic and into the Caribbean!
Hi Bill,
It is good to be reminded of the new Winlink restrictions. What a pain.
Is there a central source, a url, where the do’s and don’ts are spelled out?
Agree that SSB will be appreciated in the carib.
In your use of the KISS system, did you work voice on 4 & 6 megs much? I remember anecdotal dock talk a while back that KISS was not so good at providing good counterpoise for the lower freqs.
My best, Dick
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By bbalme - 4 Feb 2021
+x+xI'm in the good position of having an established ground plane in the boat (Copper strip moulded into the hull at the waterline) and I also have a KISS. Honestly, can't tell the difference between using either! So, if your boat does not have a good ground plane (counterpoise), as Simon says, the KISS is a MUCH simpler way to go. A note on email via SSB - note now that Winlink is no good for sending emails to US recipients - the FCC in their wisdom outlawed it! So if you want to be in touch by email through SSB to US addresses, you'll need to subscribe to a commercial outfit - like Sailmail... Enjoy your SSB! You'll wonder why you have it over here in Europe - but all will be clear when you go transatlantic and into the Caribbean! Hi Bill, It is good to be reminded of the new Winlink restrictions. What a pain. Is there a central source, a url, where the do’s and don’ts are spelled out? Agree that SSB will be appreciated in the carib. In your use of the KISS system, did you work voice on 4 & 6 megs much? I remember anecdotal dock talk a while back that KISS was not so good at providing good counterpoise for the lower freqs. My best, Dick
Sorry Dick, didn't do much investigation with the KISS...
Not sure of all the FCC implications either... Not much help today!
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By Rod.Halling - 4 Feb 2021
Thanks again to ALL!
I am getting a little confused with all of the different facets of SSB, which is probably a good thing. Our SSB set is an old ICOM IC-M600 linked to an ICOM AT-120 antenna tuner. Currently no connection to backstay aerial and no copper or KISS in bilge...
Fair winds and following seas!
Rod
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By Dick - 4 Feb 2021
+xThanks again to ALL! I am getting a little confused with all of the different facets of SSB, which is probably a good thing. Our SSB set is an old ICOM IC-M600 linked to an ICOM AT-120 antenna tuner. Currently no connection to backstay aerial and no copper or KISS in bilge... Fair winds and following seas! Rod
Hi Rod,
As said before: confusion and bewilderment are precursors to feeling a little like you have a handle on it.
ICOM makes very good to great radios and an m600 is well matched to the AT 120 tuner. I have no experience with the 600, but I have been running an ICOM m710 for decades now with nary a hiccup. Pactor use is quite demanding of a radio, so if you plan Sailmail use, you should check that earlier models (of which the m600 is one) is up to the task: some are not.
Whereas ICOM make great radios, their instructions (at least in my experience) are horrible. Once you get the connections made for the antenna, find a knowledgeable person to walk you through the operation of the radio. Prior to doing so, I would also ensure all connections are good and corrosion free, especially if the units have been sitting for a while.
The connection to the backstay is not tricky, but has some aspects that need attention such as stand-offs and wire choice. Come back as you approach these issues.
My best, Dick
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By Roger Harris - 10 Feb 2021
Earlier in this thread I quoted briefly from Bob Shepton's autobiography, Addicted to Adventure (reviewed in Flying Fish 2014-1). In fairness to Bob I should add the following excerpt from page 103 of his latest book High Latitude Sailing (co-authored with Jon Amtrup, and reviewed in Flying Fish 2020-2):
The growth of satellite communication has reduced the use of SSB, but it is still a very useful way of communicating. You can listen in on nets and other sailors in your area discussing weather, ice and cruising conditions, download weather reports and listen to radio when off the beaten track; it also lets you send and receive mail, if you have a suitable modem. And it’s all for free, when you have paid for the machine and done the course to obtain your licence. But they are quite expensive.
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By DariaBlackwell - 3 Mar 2021
I started off in the US where no license is required to operate SSB (or VHF), only HAM radio. I took a weekend course in HAM radio (with lots of advance home study) and passed my HAM radio qualification with Morse Code (BTW, I am - or I should say was - bilingual in Morse). We have an SSB aboard, and I was the primary operator. I have never been asked for my license. But I had hundreds of requests for MM contact among collectors mainly in the Far East.
In Ireland, the rules for SSB/HAM are the same. You need a long-range radio certificate for both. You cannot buy a radio without, and you cannot operate a legacy radio bought with a boat without. That meant that we were legal operating an SSB radio when we changed the registration of our boat to Ireland. But, there are no operators of SSB here and few even listen to the VHF. The rules here for certification are complex. What I found fascinating is that the restrictions are based on wartime spies communicating with their homelands via long-range radio. And of course, no one had ever thought of changing the rules when the wars ended and the spies started using the internet.
Alex has recently taken a long-range radio communications course which covered SSB, HAM, Inmarsat and everything else long range. He passed the course and got a certificate but he doesn't have a call sign. The certificate is required for commercial operations but doesn't come with a call sign. Still trying to figure it out. We have thought about setting up a shore station.
Just on the thought of SSB vs SAT phone.... during the recent pandemic response, we really saw the difference between SSB and SAT phone value. We came to the conclusion that, in today's world, having both an SSB and a SAT phone/commsdevice can be invaluable. SSB for one to many, SAT comms for one-to-one.
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By ka4wja - 13 Mar 2021
Rod,
Unless you were truly looking at a career as a professional radio op / technician, professional mariner, etc., in my opinion you will learn more and be much better trained and ready for HF radio communications / operations on-board our small boats, by simply watching some Youtube videos (links below) and reading some details here and in other postings (more links below), AND then using a modern marine HF radio (MF/HF-DSC-FSK-SSB Radiotelephone), and practicing....than you would ever get in even a 2 or 3 day long radio course (LRC, GMDSS class, etc.)!!!
This is all "real-world", practical, and easily repeatable....unlike the "classroom claptrap" that is sometimes spewed by so-called "instructors".....(sorry for the USA-centric slang / vernacular....and I do hope you see my humor / sarcasm, sprinkled around here....LOL)
Oh, yeah...it is also FREE, and you can learn it at your own pace, as well as you, your spouse, and family/crew, can also learn all of this as well....easy-peasy!
I realize that this might be too much, too late....and, it almost might seem a tad presumptuous / arrogant, so forgive me....but, here it goes! :)
And, if you could take one fact on faith?
Please understand this is not a "black art", no matter what many think.....this is all well understood, both by science/mathematical facts and real-world engineering, for many, many decades (~ 100 years now) and while the vagaries of the ionosphere do effect your radio signals, these too are easily understood and once the basics are grasped, fairly easy to predict and follow....just remember that at some point you needed to learn the difference between "true" and "magnetic" headings, you needed to learn navigation, sail trim, etc....why in the world would some think that they just don't need to learn about radio communications? (maybe 'cuz so many folks just use "smart phones", etc., and assume that all technology is "smart"?....oh well, just take a few hours and watch/read, and ask a few specific questions, and you'll be fine....no need to spend 1000's of dollars/pounds/euros to learn what is available for FREE....)
Also, please be aware that while the Icom M-600 (and AT-120) were okay in their day, they are both very "long-in-the-tooth" and way, way out-of-date (the M-600, M-700, M-800, M-710, etc. have no MF/HF-DSC capability....and the "original" AT-120 wasn't designed to work above 22mhz, and many times wouldn't work above 18mhz...)
Oh, and please save your money....do not even consider the KISS (see a lot of detail in the links below)....
Now, onto the vast expanse of info...
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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By Rod.Halling - 15 Mar 2021
+xRod, Unless you were truly looking at a career as a professional radio op / technician, professional mariner, etc., in my opinion you will learn more and be much better trained and ready for HF radio communications / operations on-board our small boats, by simply watching some Youtube videos (links below) and reading some details here and in other postings (more links below), AND then using a modern marine HF radio (MF/HF-DSC-FSK-SSB Radiotelephone), and practicing....than you would ever get in even a 2 or 3 day long radio course (LRC, GMDSS class, etc.)!!! This is all "real-world", practical, and easily repeatable....unlike the "classroom claptrap" that is sometimes spewed by so-called "instructors".....(sorry for the USA-centric slang / vernacular....and I do hope you see my humor / sarcasm, sprinkled around here....LOL) Oh, yeah...it is also FREE, and you can learn it at your own pace, as well as you, your spouse, and family/crew, can also learn all of this as well....easy-peasy! I realize that this might be too much, too late....and, it almost might seem a tad presumptuous / arrogant, so forgive me....but, here it goes! :) And, if you could take one fact on faith? Please understand this is not a "black art", no matter what many think.....this is all well understood, both by science/mathematical facts and real-world engineering, for many, many decades (~ 100 years now) and while the vagaries of the ionosphere do effect your radio signals, these too are easily understood and once the basics are grasped, fairly easy to predict and follow....just remember that at some point you needed to learn the difference between "true" and "magnetic" headings, you needed to learn navigation, sail trim, etc....why in the world would some think that they just don't need to learn about radio communications? (maybe 'cuz so many folks just use "smart phones", etc., and assume that all technology is "smart"?....oh well, just take a few hours and watch/read, and ask a few specific questions, and you'll be fine....no need to spend 1000's of dollars/pounds/euros to learn what is available for FREE....) Also, please be aware that while the Icom M-600 (and AT-120) were okay in their day, they are both very "long-in-the-tooth" and way, way out-of-date (the M-600, M-700, M-800, M-710, etc. have no MF/HF-DSC capability....and the "original" AT-120 wasn't designed to work above 22mhz, and many times wouldn't work above 18mhz...) Oh, and please save your money....do not even consider the KISS (see a lot of detail in the links below).... Now, onto the vast expanse of info... 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.htmhttp://www.docksideradio.com/Cruising%20Nets.htmhttp://www.docksideradio.com/Icom%20SSB%20Radios.htmhttp://www.docksideradio.com/M803_ch_Guide.htmSO..... 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_Bt1yHF-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-8QKVyMb4tVrOffshore Weather (offshore reception, etc. focused primarily on WeFax and ocean passages) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN6ygtZ3h2mPZAx2vWzdjTJjHlChruyYOffshore Sailing (just for fun, no real "radio info in these") https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN6ygtZ3h2nbwAGh5DKgTCj15iyl6qoYWith 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.htmlMarine SSB, proper installation tips/techniqueshttps://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 sailorshttps://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-oceanhttps://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/epirbs-are-not-dead-epirb-activation-what-happens-how-to-improve-rescue-odds-146617.htmlFYI, 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=xV0iRkAATCYWhich 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/list4) 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=cgcommsCallhttp://www.bom.gov.au/marine/radio-sat/voice-services.shtmlhttps://www.amsa.gov.au/news-community/consultations/consultation-maritime-high-frequency-hf-radiotelephone-australiafile:///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.asphttps://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/commercial/documents/Radio-Handbook.pdfhttps://www.noonsite.com/the-essential-role-of-hf-ssb-radio-in-ocean-cruising/https://www.itu.int/mmsapp/ShipStation/listFYI, 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-Sailorshttp://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/Long-Range-Communicationshttp://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/KA4WJAs/v Annie Laurie, WDB6927 https://jerodisys.com/C470/foto_bot.htmMMSI# 366933110 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfJaZzjVw7XkGBPdimLNBrg/playlistsP.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-DSChttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN6ygtZ3h2m-IejYg7J6QugtO2epizxF
Hi John,
MANY thanks for your comprehensive and well considered reply to my post – I really appreciate it. We have not been able to source any training here, other than a 2-week commercial course, which as you say, is mostly irrelevant for our purposes.
I take your point about our ICOM – if we are going to use SSB, we should get some more up-to-date kit! At the moment, I am in the middle of selling my business and am not sure what sort of comms we will need on board in the future. It could be anything from just using our 2 satphones, to a full Iridium Certus or similar. IF we don’t need to spend loads on satcomms, then a new (or used) modern SSB system would be a good shout. We have already replaced the ground plates on the boat, so it shouldn’t be too hard to install a new SSB, obviously bearing in mind your points about RFI…
I will try and make the time to watch the links that you suggest – thank you again!
All the best to you and yours,
Rod
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