New to forums & SSB

[ragdoll]

Well here I am, online and about to sail out of internet range, maybe tomorrow. Should I install a SSB on board and what's the value of it in real sailing or is it a 3 or 4 thousand dollar toy that most don't use?

decisions decisions

[Hud3]

The value of an SSB has been discussed in a number of threads here, and I believe the consensus is that it is a very worthwhile investment.

It's not a toy. It will give you access to marine weather forecasts, emergency assistance, advice from fellow cruisers, text email and GRIB files, landline telephone patches, and more. A marine SSB and Pactor TNC are pricey, but many agree worth the cost.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by ragdoll

Well here I am, online and about to sail out of internet range, maybe tomorrow. Should I install a SSB on board and what's the value of it in real sailing or is it a 3 or 4 thousand dollar toy that most don't use?

decisions decisions

Its a $5k toy, where did you get 3-4 from?

We don't have one. and dont have much of a chance of getting one as we would go for an AIS Transponder first ($1,000), Satelite phone Iridium; then a watermaker; dodger.......

Expensive toys are well down the list.

Where are you crusing and what have you already got aboard? You don't have to buy it now, you could wait a year and see if its really necssary.

By the way, we do have an HF receiver for weather and fax.

[S/V Illusion]

How did you/could you spend $5k on an SSB?

The main distinction is that with one, you have a means of always communicating with multiple people - no other comm device has that capability.

Whether or not you want or need that is a matter of opinion, yours being the only one that counts.

[ragdoll]

I do not have any long distance receiver, I had hopes the SSB would fill in if I get the right setup?

[ragdoll]

I suppose I could spend 5K on it, every thing I have done on the boat so far was filled with very much cost over run, why would a SSB be any different, it's only money right, but it going on my boat As long as it's done right and isn't something I need to through overboard I'll be happy

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by ragdoll

As long as it's done right and isn't something I need to through overboard I'll be happy

Then it will make you happy.
There's cruiser nets in all the oceans and the folks with HF radio really enjoy the camaraderie... and the weather discussions!


Mark

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and Welcome aboard!
This is the forum of many opinions. SSB is a matter of personal preference. I sail for the solitude so I don't need one. I don't have a cell phone either. I've got a Ham license but don't use it.
Good luck in whichever way you go on this one.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[camaraderie]

If your plans are to sail far offshore and in foreign locales...then an SSB is a very worthwhile addition. The ability to access weather forecasts, make distress calls, and tune in to the local nets as well as rig for text e-mail at sea with a Pactor (add another $1k) are the key benefits.
Alternatively...you can buy a simple receiver for a couple of hundred and get the weather, the weather faxes, the local nets. A satellite phone could substitute for the emergency communications and provide the email link. If I had to choose...I'd go with the sat phone and SSBreceiver since you have instant communication with anywhere and even in the liferaft. But I'd rather have both!

[Stevew]

We wouldn't be without our SSB. We use it download wx, grib files and to monitor the nets that abound. My wife and I are also hams and enjoy the social aspect that it provides. I have however, spoken to cruisers that feel like something like ssb intrudes upon the primary reason they went cruising in the first place...to get away from it all.

I guess it really depends on you.... however, we wouldn't be without it.