I'm not clear on marine SSB radios. Can someone explain how they differ from
standard VHF? A friend is now offering me a pretty expensive Icom SSB. I doubt
I have a need for it, but it's basically free. I may just tell him to sell it
on ebay. I was thinking of adding a AM/SSB (CB) radio to the boat which would
be better than the GMRS.
So can someone explain what the marine SSB is? Is it VHF with upper and lowers?

Thanks in advance...

RB

An SSB is essentially a high frequency radio with pre-set frequencies
(channels) used for global or very long distance communications. If
you're not going offshore there is NO need for an SSB.
For coastal sailing the only benefit I can perceive would be the
ability to download Weather FAx (WeFAX); but, youll need an additional
demodulator/PC, etc.

In article , Bobsprit
wrote:

I'm not clear on marine SSB radios. Can someone explain how they differ from
standard VHF? A friend is now offering me a pretty expensive Icom SSB. I doubt
I have a need for it, but it's basically free. I may just tell him to sell it
on ebay. I was thinking of adding a AM/SSB (CB) radio to the boat which would
be better than the GMRS.
So can someone explain what the marine SSB is? Is it VHF with upper and
lowers?

Thanks in advance...

RB

An SSB is essentially a high frequency radio with pre-set frequencies
(channels) used for global or very long distance communications. If
you're not going offshore there is NO need for an SSB.
For coastal sailing the only benefit I can perceive would be the
ability to download Weather FAx (WeFAX); but, youll need an additional
demodulator/PC, etc.


Thanks, Rich. So a Marine SSB is nothing to do with the standard VHF freq. and
AM (CB) type systems?

RB

The frequencies are quite different.

http://www.yachtcom.co.uk/comms/MarineSSB.htm

In addition, a proper setup requires both an antenna, often a backstay, plus a
"ground" (actually a counterpoise) which is a large surface area in proximity to
the water. If your boat is not setup for these, it will be tedious/expensive to
do it. Further, in coastal waters, especially Long Island Sound, you'll have no
one to talk to.



"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
An SSB is essentially a high frequency radio with pre-set frequencies
(channels) used for global or very long distance communications. If
you're not going offshore there is NO need for an SSB.
For coastal sailing the only benefit I can perceive would be the
ability to download Weather FAx (WeFAX); but, youll need an additional
demodulator/PC, etc.


Thanks, Rich. So a Marine SSB is nothing to do with the standard VHF freq. and
AM (CB) type systems?

RB

The frequencies are quite different.

http://www.yachtcom.co.uk/comms/MarineSSB.htm

In addition, a proper setup requires both an antenna, often a backstay, plus a
"ground" (actually a counterpoise) which is a large surface area in proximity to
the water. If your boat is not setup for these, it will be tedious/expensive to
do it. Further, in coastal waters, especially Long Island Sound, you'll have no
one to talk to.



"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
An SSB is essentially a high frequency radio with pre-set frequencies
(channels) used for global or very long distance communications. If
you're not going offshore there is NO need for an SSB.
For coastal sailing the only benefit I can perceive would be the
ability to download Weather FAx (WeFAX); but, youll need an additional
demodulator/PC, etc.


Thanks, Rich. So a Marine SSB is nothing to do with the standard VHF freq. and
AM (CB) type systems?

RB

An SSB is essentially a high frequency radio with pre-set frequencies
(channels) used for global or very long distance communications. If
you're not going offshore there is NO need for an SSB.
For coastal sailing the only benefit I can perceive would be the
ability to download Weather FAx (WeFAX); but, youll need an additional
demodulator/PC, etc.


Thanks, Rich. So a Marine SSB is nothing to do with the standard VHF freq. and
AM (CB) type systems?

RB

VHF waves work "line of sight". They may be slightly curved around the horizon but
they won't be much. So, whatever the power of the transmiter is, they won't reach
more than 25 miles before getting lost in space. Frequencies used by SSBs, like
HAM radios, will bounce on various layers of the the atmosphere and get back down
beyond the horizon. Various frequencies will bounce on different layers of the
atmosphere, coming back down at different distances and knowing the properties of
the various wavelenghts is important for reaching the proper distance you want to.
The point were they bounce back down will be "deaf" on the ground so the use of a
SSB is not as easy as tuning channel 16 on a VHF. Training on using these radios
is necessary for getting your money's worth.

Jean Dufour
Montreal, Qc

Bobsprit wrote:

I'm not clear on marine SSB radios. Can someone explain how they differ from
standard VHF? A friend is now offering me a pretty expensive Icom SSB. I doubt
I have a need for it, but it's basically free. I may just tell him to sell it
on ebay. I was thinking of adding a AM/SSB (CB) radio to the boat which would
be better than the GMRS.
So can someone explain what the marine SSB is? Is it VHF with upper and lowers?

Thanks in advance...

RB

Thanks for the info, guys. Much appreciated.


RB

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 11:29:19 -0500, Jean Dufour
wrote:

VHF waves work "line of sight". They may be slightly curved around the horizon but
they won't be much. So, whatever the power of the transmiter is, they won't reach
more than 25 miles before getting lost in space.

Well, not really. It all depends on antenna height. From the Jersey
shore, not only can I talk to the Cape May CG station, but also to
Baltimore and Chincoteague, Virginia. I have fairly reliable
communications with CG stations up to over 100 miles. Of course, I have
my VHF antenna at the top of my mast so a powerboat probably wouldn't
get as far.

Steve

My vhf antenna is 62 ft off the water (top of mast) and I can reach 25
miles to another sailboat also with top of mast antenna in open ocean.

What you're actually "using" is the CG antenna ht and their repeater
network - not much dependent on your antenna ht as theirs.




On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 17:31:13 GMT, (Steven
Shelikoff) wrote:

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 11:29:19 -0500, Jean Dufour
wrote:

VHF waves work "line of sight". They may be slightly curved around the horizon but
they won't be much. So, whatever the power of the transmiter is, they won't reach
more than 25 miles before getting lost in space.

Well, not really. It all depends on antenna height. From the Jersey
shore, not only can I talk to the Cape May CG station, but also to
Baltimore and Chincoteague, Virginia. I have fairly reliable
communications with CG stations up to over 100 miles. Of course, I have
my VHF antenna at the top of my mast so a powerboat probably wouldn't
get as far.

Steve