Is a SSB radio useful in Michigan's Great Lakes waters? Safety? We are just pleasure boating but wondering if there are any worst case scenarios where having one would be good. RTTY an HF-email are not of much interest and I prefer to never get too far from shore (so far only 16 miles out). We already have a handheld VHF with MMSI distress, 2 cellphones (soon to be iphones), 2 GPS receivers, 2 family use VHF handhelds, an AM/USB/LSB with coverage from 25.0-29.9999 mhz, paper charts, and all the safety and survival equipment possible. I also want to supplement the handheld VHF with a fixed mount (detachable face or removable overhead mount). If money were no object, what would be the ultimate VHF.
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SSB for Great Lakes waters and VHF upgrade.
- Thread starter seabeagle
- Start date
We have not had a chance to cross Lake Michigan in the C-Dory (plan to do so this year), but we have crossed many times in our now sold 32' Sundowner (Sturgeon Bay to Lehland/Beaver Island/etc). We had a SSB radio (previous owner had it installed), but we were never able to figure it out -- much harder than it looks. We found the best thing was to get an amp and antenna for the Verizon Wireless Card and that would get us reception for the laptop and the cell phone for about 2/3's of the crossing.
I'm not sure how far our VHF would go, but it was never much of a concern.
I'm not sure how far our VHF would go, but it was never much of a concern.
BRAZO":2574gmrt said:I'm not sure how far our VHF would go, but it was never much of a concern.
VHF is limited by line of sight, so figure 5 to 25 miles, depending upon power and antenna height.
Of course there are exceptions. Out on the open ocean, the signal can bounce for hundreds, if not thousands, of miles, but that is rare.
--Georgs
I would say that "no" a Marine SSB would be of little use on the Great Lakes. 2182 mhz is no longer monitered as a distress frequency by all vessels. There are very few other boats with SSB . CG monitering will probably be in Miami.Boston or Chesapeake.
If you want safety, buy a GPS enabled Personal Locator Beacon (some would say "spot" could also be used for distress. PLB will cost about $500 to $600, and batteries are good for 5 years (plus). Spot will cost $150 and has a yearly charge. If I am looking for rescue I would rather go through Sar Sat, which is 406 mhz, via the government satellite and EPRIB or PLB
Ham radio is a different story. If you are a licensed ham or want to be, then I would say go for it. We have it on most of our boats. The biggest problem is the ground plane. (same for marine HF SSB). There is Winlink (E-mail), plus RTTY and CW (which are not available in the marine SSB) (Sail mail is almost identical to WinLink)
A number of us are hams, and this is a great tool anywhere in the world. I just have to get the ground done of the Tom Cat this winter!
If you want safety, buy a GPS enabled Personal Locator Beacon (some would say "spot" could also be used for distress. PLB will cost about $500 to $600, and batteries are good for 5 years (plus). Spot will cost $150 and has a yearly charge. If I am looking for rescue I would rather go through Sar Sat, which is 406 mhz, via the government satellite and EPRIB or PLB
Ham radio is a different story. If you are a licensed ham or want to be, then I would say go for it. We have it on most of our boats. The biggest problem is the ground plane. (same for marine HF SSB). There is Winlink (E-mail), plus RTTY and CW (which are not available in the marine SSB) (Sail mail is almost identical to WinLink)
A number of us are hams, and this is a great tool anywhere in the world. I just have to get the ground done of the Tom Cat this winter!
Ham radio is a different story
Ham is an underappreciated means of communication.
My friends and I rely on our hams for backcountry sledding(snowmobiling) and dirtbiking. We use them to communicate with each other when we're separated. Through a network of "repeater" stations or by direct primary communication we're able summon assistance in the remotest locations. Using it's "dtmf keypad" (touchtone) and autopatch protocol, telephone communications are also possible.
Combined with GPS..."we have an injury, our position is ###, please send help".
We carry flares and orange smoke to help them find us.
I carry my ham radio, a 2 meter portable, with me on Adeline as a backup. It is the size of a cigarette pack. Newer ones are even smaller.
This is a great place to learn more.
Ham radio no longer requires proficiency in Morse Code. The test for the Technician license is a 35 question, four option multiple choice examination. The same is true of the General license, the next step up.
Mattie Clauson, the youngest person ever to pass the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician license examination was five years old when she did so. She then passed the FCC 5 word per minute Morse Code examination that was required back in 2002, and passed the FCC General license examination at age six. See:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/01/31/4/
Then she passed the FCC Extra license examination at age seven. See:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/01/29/1/
The Technician license examination is not unduly difficult. The Technician license allows one to use all ham radio frequencies from 50 megahertz upwards, and gives very limited privileges in the upper reaches of the amateur radio high frequency bands (less than about 30 megahertz).
Passing the General license examination allows one to use most of the remainder of the amateur radio frequencies. Passing the Extra license examination allows one to use all amateur radio frequencies.
If you decide to go for your ham radio license, there are those of us who would be happy to help you.
Regards,
Mattie Clauson, the youngest person ever to pass the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician license examination was five years old when she did so. She then passed the FCC 5 word per minute Morse Code examination that was required back in 2002, and passed the FCC General license examination at age six. See:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/01/31/4/
Then she passed the FCC Extra license examination at age seven. See:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/01/29/1/
The Technician license examination is not unduly difficult. The Technician license allows one to use all ham radio frequencies from 50 megahertz upwards, and gives very limited privileges in the upper reaches of the amateur radio high frequency bands (less than about 30 megahertz).
Passing the General license examination allows one to use most of the remainder of the amateur radio frequencies. Passing the Extra license examination allows one to use all amateur radio frequencies.
If you decide to go for your ham radio license, there are those of us who would be happy to help you.
Regards,