Combining the strengths of SSB and Iridium

[Mark Thurlow]

As I prepare to cross the Atlantic with the ARC I have been working up my SSB System - Icom 802 and Practor 4 to give me Weather and email using the sailmail email add on.

Additionally after a lot of research I am reactivating an old but apparently reliable Iridium that has already done good service.

in order to tame the interfaces and maximise the satellite bandwidth I am fitting a Redbox to take WiFi, 3/4g and Iridium connectivity and buying in the Teleport Mail compression and firewall services. I have been given helpful advice and presale service from the team a Mailasail.
Having already bought into the Sailmail service I am looking to now use this with the teleport services so that all my mail will go to one “box” independent of the various Channels being used.

i am really hoping to draw on others direct experience of managing the interfaces I am talking about here.

In particular is anyone using sailmail as the email broker on a Redbox and Teleport mail system.



As many of the potential respondents my also be on the ARC there is perhaps an opportunity to discuss matters on the dock in Las Palmas before the 25th Nov.

Mark

Rum Truffle

Gran Canaria

[KeelMe]

It appears your problems are your own. Let us know how it works out.

[ka4wja]

Mark,
A few quick things that should help you...

1) Sailmail (and the Airmail software) already has significant compression and e-mail protection software....and should do you well, all by itself....whether using Airmail on HF radio and PACTOR modem, or using thru Iridium...
I doubt you will find anything else is needed...


2) Remember that depending on what weather info/forecasts you're after, you need to remember that much of what "everyone" downloads (whether from Iridium or Sailmail/PACTOR), are the raw computer model data (aka GRIB files), rather than the synoptic charts / weather forecasts prepared by humans (aka "wefax charts", etc.)...

So, whatever weather info/forecasts you choose to use, please remember that GRIB files / GRIB charts are just the raw computer model data...and that you do have access to real human forecasts (from seasoned marine meteorologists), either direct from WeFax broadcasts or via saildocs...


Also, Remember to test your HF-DSC capability too....you do have a separate DSC receive antenna, yes??
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=cgcommsCall

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2739476


And, please make sure that your EPIRB is properly registered and in good working order...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ds-146617.html



HF SSB VOICE WEATHER BROADCASTS (although not as good as the wefax charts, these are easy to get)
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/hfvoice.htm
(check NMN, Virginia and NMG, New Orleans....for wide area High Seas forecasts, and for "tropical N. Atlantic" Offshore forecasts...)


HF WEFAX WEATHER BROADCASTS (NMG, New Orleans, will be your primary WeFax station)
NWS Radiofax
Marine Radiofax charts

New Orleans WeFax
Radiofax Charts - New Orleans
http://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/fax/hfgulf.txt



Boston WeFax
Radiofax Charts - Boston
http://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/fax/hfmarsh.txt


Worldwide WeFax
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/rfax.pdf


USCG HF Voice




3) In 45 years of HF radio experience (using, installing, troubleshooting, and especially teaching/training), the best approach to HF radio comms is to learn / perfect your HF radio operation on Voice communications first...before even attempting digital comms (whether PACTOR or otherwise)....

So, please learn/perfect SSB Voice comms first....and then work on HF-digital (PACTOR, etc.), and HF-DSC...

Since you're in port and have internet access, please have a look at these video playlists (and you can of course, download these videos, store 'em in your computer, and play 'em when you need 'em to better understand how-to-use the radio)

HF-DSC and HF-SSB Voice
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=cgcommsCall


Maritime HF Comms
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ZDo_Jk3NB_Bt1y


Offshore Weather
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...zdjTJjHlChruyY


HF-DSC Comms
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ga2zYuPozhUXZX


Icom M-802 Instruction Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...rC-8QKVyMb4tVr


Offshore Sailing
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...KgTCj15iyl6qoY



4) Make sure your M-802's internal speech compressor is turned On and your radio, tuner, and antennas are all in good working order, before you head off....

Have a look at this recent thread here, from another Canary island sailor...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...em-208640.html


Remember to test your HF-DSC capability too....you do have a separate DSC receive antenna, yes??
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=cgcommsCall

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/icom-m802-ssb-tx-problem-208640.html#post2739476


And, please have a look at these stickies here, right at the top of the Marine Electronics page...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tc-133496.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tc-198305.html



5) You may also wish to check into the SSCA Atlantic Radio Net on 12.350mhz, at 2130z, daily...

https://www.noonsite.com/General/Com...c-cruisers-net


Also, be sure to tune in to the BBC on 12095 and 6195 (6095?), and a few other freqs....I hear 'em fine here in Florida, and you get them loud 'n clear there and all across the Atlantic...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...da-184267.html


And, once you're near and in the Caribbean, check out the OCC Caribbean Net...

Once again the Caribbean Radio Net - the "Caribbean voice of the OCC" will continue through the Winter season beginning on 1 December. The net will operate with different daily hosts (usually), from Monday to Saturday. The net starts at 0730 local Caribbean time - 1130 GMT- on 6227 kHz USB. After receiving all possible check ins on this frequency the net will then switch to 4027 kHz, this will be on or after approx 0745, when further contact from more distant boats may be possible. The OCC net aims to keep members in touch, share up to date information on Harbours and facilities throughout the Eastern Caribbean.
Simon Julien (OCC Roving RC - Caribbean)

Here are some other HF radio Nets...
East Coast Cruising Nets

SSB Nets & Frequencies



I hope this helps...

Fair winds..

John

[svmobert]

Originally Posted by ka4wja

Mark,
A few quick things that should help you...

1) Sailmail (and the Airmail software) already has significant compression and e-mail protection software....and should do you well, all by itself....whether using Airmail on HF radio and PACTOR modem, or using thru Iridium...
I doubt you will find anything else is needed...


2) Remember that depending on what weather info/forecasts you're after, you need to remember that much of what "everyone" downloads (whether from Iridium or Sailmail/PACTOR), are the raw computer model data (aka GRIB files), rather than the synoptic charts / weather forecasts prepared by humans (aka "wefax charts", etc.)...

So, whatever weather info/forecasts you choose to use, please remember that GRIB files / GRIB charts are just the raw computer model data...and that you do have access to real human forecasts (from seasoned marine meteorologists), either direct from WeFax broadcasts or via saildocs...


Also, Remember to test your HF-DSC capability too....you do have a separate DSC receive antenna, yes??
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=cgcommsCall

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2739476


And, please make sure that your EPIRB is properly registered and in good working order...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ds-146617.html



HF SSB VOICE WEATHER BROADCASTS (although not as good as the wefax charts, these are easy to get)
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/hfvoice.htm
(check NMN, Virginia and NMG, New Orleans....for wide area High Seas forecasts, and for "tropical N. Atlantic" Offshore forecasts...)


HF WEFAX WEATHER BROADCASTS (NMG, New Orleans, will be your primary WeFax station)
NWS Radiofax
Marine Radiofax charts

New Orleans WeFax
Radiofax Charts - New Orleans
http://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/fax/hfgulf.txt



Boston WeFax
Radiofax Charts - Boston
http://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/fax/hfmarsh.txt


Worldwide WeFax
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/rfax.pdf


USCG HF Voice




3) In 45 years of HF radio experience (using, installing, troubleshooting, and especially teaching/training), the best approach to HF radio comms is to learn / perfect your HF radio operation on Voice communications first...before even attempting digital comms (whether PACTOR or otherwise)....

So, please learn/perfect SSB Voice comms first....and then work on HF-digital (PACTOR, etc.), and HF-DSC...

Since you're in port and have internet access, please have a look at these video playlists (and you can of course, download these videos, store 'em in your computer, and play 'em when you need 'em to better understand how-to-use the radio)

HF-DSC and HF-SSB Voice
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=cgcommsCall


Maritime HF Comms
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ZDo_Jk3NB_Bt1y


Offshore Weather
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...zdjTJjHlChruyY


HF-DSC Comms
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ga2zYuPozhUXZX


Icom M-802 Instruction Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...rC-8QKVyMb4tVr


Offshore Sailing
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...KgTCj15iyl6qoY



4) Make sure your M-802's internal speech compressor is turned On and your radio, tuner, and antennas are all in good working order, before you head off....

Have a look at this recent thread here, from another Canary island sailor...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...em-208640.html


Remember to test your HF-DSC capability too....you do have a separate DSC receive antenna, yes??
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=cgcommsCall

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/icom-m802-ssb-tx-problem-208640.html#post2739476


And, please have a look at these stickies here, right at the top of the Marine Electronics page...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tc-133496.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tc-198305.html



5) You may also wish to check into the SSCA Atlantic Radio Net on 12.350mhz, at 2130z, daily...

https://www.noonsite.com/General/Com...c-cruisers-net


Also, be sure to tune in to the BBC on 12095 and 6195 (6095?), and a few other freqs....I hear 'em fine here in Florida, and you get them loud 'n clear there and all across the Atlantic...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...da-184267.html


And, once you're near and in the Caribbean, check out the OCC Caribbean Net...



Here are some other HF radio Nets...
East Coast Cruising Nets

SSB Nets & Frequencies



I hope this helps...

Fair winds..

John

Sailmail will work with the SSB/Pactor as well as the Iridium phone via USB. You can use Sailmail as the consolidated email inbox for both. Sailmail has limits though so if you want to receive attachments other than weather files (like Excel/word docs, etc). Then you will need to use mailasail, Xgate, ocensmail, uuplus to do that. And that will be over satellite.

There are some fancy ways to integrate all of it but it would be custom and would take a lot of explaining.

[ottewj]

This reply is directed to John. I see that you are in Florida. I am in St Petersburg Fl. if you are close I would like to talk to you or see how you set up your satellite communications. All I want to do is communicate via email from a lap top.
My email is billotte49@gmail.com