| The SSB transceiver is a good idea for at least the HF weather
forecasts once you are out of VHF range, but you don't need the
transmitter!
If you want the long distance radio capability of SSB, then you
are undertaking a significant project which involves:
1. Getting your marine radio license endorsed for SSB
2. Choosing and installing a transceiver, such as the ICOM M700,
about $1300. Don't bother with the new low cost low power units,
they will have useless range in most situations. A 150 watt
transmitter such as the M700 needs almost 25 amps at 12volts on
transmit, so you need to plan battery capacity and cabling carefully.
3. Choosing and installing a manual or automatic antenna tuner.
Automatic models make it possible for non-experts to use the radio,
a definite safety feature! About $800-1000 plus installation for
a Hull tuner.
4. Insulating your backstay or installing a 28 foot whip antenna.
5. Establishing a radio frequency ground system, using Dynaplates
or screening below the waterline inside the hull at the antenna
tuner.
6. Decoupling RF energy from the transmitter that tends to disrupt
other electronic gear on board (eg my transmitter turns on my diesel
heater!).
7. Learning how to use the gear, eg what frequencies should be used
at what times of day, common calling channels, how to use the ATT
High Seas Service (WOM or WOO) at the rate of $5 per minute to anywhere
in the continental USA.
No doubt SSB is a great thing to have to call in daily position
checks to friends on-shore or for personal messages. It has some
merit for emergency medical help. But, the Coast Guard will be
a LONG way away halfway to Bermuda, so a good boat and a good crew
will be your best insurance for a safe voyage.
For just listening to weather reports, you might consider one of
the SONY ICF series radios. For under $200 you can get a decent
radio that covers 150kHz thru 30Mhz with good stability and sensitivity
and a digital frequency readout/keyboard that is convenient and
accurate.
Have a great voyage!
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| For those who are in the market for an SSB radio at a decent price,
two days ago I received the 1993 Fishing catalog of Outer banks
outfitters out of Beaufort NC tel. 800-682-2225, never bought anything
from them. On page 107 they advertize the sale of Icom IC-M600 for $1,799.00
and it adds:"Sale Price Includes FREE AT-120 Automatic tuner"
Sale expires 3-31-93. Well since I got the catalog two days ago and I
am looking for a cheap (in $) SSB I called and questioned the
expiration date and I was told that they still had 3 in stock and
the price was still the same till they out of them.I thought would be
a good idea to put it here since the cheapest price I have seen it
both tuner and radio were 2-3 hudrend $ higher, for anyone looking for
one.
By the way I did't order one myself.I do prefer The IC-M700 based on
an article by Gordon West I read long time ago, before the IC-M600 was
made.Do not know how good the M600 is.
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| I just installed a M-600. It replaces my Yaesu FT757, which is a ham
set and not officialy recognised for transmitting on the marine band.
M-600 has some advantage, some disadvantage.
good:
the same size as the FT757
alarm function
ITU channel just dial the channel number and have the correct
frequency
not so good:
no lower side band, only upperside
no ham transmit frequencies (receive only)
no real AM modulation, only SSB with partial carrier
nothing to measure SWR (for checking the antenna)
it does not transmit with the stated 150 watts on AM, only 40
most of the 'not so good' are only academic. If you operate the set
on the marine frequencies, it has all features it needs. When I crossed
the atlantic, I never used any frequencies outside the marine bands.
The networks for sailors are all in the marine bands.
The M-700 is much bigger, more expensiv and very old. I believe, it
does not have the direct dialing (ITU channels) as the newer sets,
only the user programable channels.
The main reason, why I got myself a new set, was the alarm function.
You have to press two buttons and the set transmits the two tone
alarmsignal on 2152 , which opens the watchreceiver on every merchant
ship near you.
Peter
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