SSB RADIO ON YOUR BOAT?

S

Snow Alternative

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We are heading off to the West End, followed by the Abacos, Eleuthera, and the Exumas. 2nd trip there. What would you have for safety equipment and in particular would you have an SSB?
I have the Epirbs, 25g flares & large rockets, 2 VHFs life raft and 2 PLB's but no SSB, and Remington. But no SSB
Boat is. 2014 48' Sabre - FAMILY TIES

As always, thanks for the insight. And for those that asked for pics of the boat, build and electronics I did not ignore you, I'm just incompetent when it comes to the tech stuff. For the life of me I could not get them to load despite your detailed directions,
 
If you got it use it. If SSB not installed, what you have is sufficient, consider adding a hand held Satellite Phone with email service. Local cell service when in range.
 
What Keith said. The Bahamas has very good cell phone range and coverage. I'd bag the SSB and get a local cell with data and perhaps rent a SAT phone. But I doubt you'll ever use the SAT phone.

Where in Eleuthera are you going?
 
We use a wifi antenna with a Ubiquity Bullet M2, a cell phone booster, and regular VHFs. We have been as far as Staniel Cay and never really felt out of touch. This year I added the Galaxy S4 and intend to try out the data plan.
Bahamas WiMax is good throughout the Abacos, and is also covering Georgetown now. Hopefully the data plan on the S4 will fill in the voids in between.
We are in Sea Spray so if you stop in at Elbow give us a shout on Freedom. Later in April we head South to the Exumas.
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

We use a wifi antenna with a Ubiquity Bullet M2, a cell phone booster, and regular VHFs. We have been as far as Staniel Cay and never really felt out of touch. This year I added the Galaxy S4 and intend to try out the data plan.
Bahamas WiMax is good throughout the Abacos, and is also covering Georgetown now. Hopefully the data plan on the S4 will fill in the voids in between.
We are in Sea Spray so if you stop in at Elbow give us a shout on Freedom. Later in April we head South to the Exumas.

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Dan, I'm pretty sure that what is called WiMAX sevice in the Bahamas is not actually true WiMAX but Commercial WiFi yes, no?
Will you be activating the S4 on BTC's cellular service?
Marine SSB is ok but I actually prefer ham radio SSB. I will never take my current boat to the Bahamas but it has an ICOM 7000 unit and I am licensed. There is always somebody listening and prepared to help you on ham radio.
Thanks,
Bill
 
Bahamas WiMax is an ISP that has many hotspots in the Abacos and now in Georgetown.

I have the S4 on BTC voice at this time and it is poor, even with the Wilson amp. This is GSM based since 4G is not active here yet. At this point if it is emergency service you are concerned over, get a "Spot", or "In Reach" deal. Cheaper, and easier to use. Being able to listen to Chris Parker over the SSB would be good for weather but otherwise, I am thinking the two packages I mentioned are better since the S.O. will not have to learn how to operate the SSB.
 
I bought a portable SSB receiver as a backup to hear Chris Parker. It was affordable and needs no installation. A sat phone is a great option. Globalstar is back up and has very affordable plans with good Bahamas coverage. Old GSP-1600 phones can be had for under $100 on eBay. Plans start at $25/month. I have used the sat phone N the Abacos for voice and data when nothing else would come in. Text forecasts and email work well. Chris Parker email subscriptions start at $50 month I think and are excellent.

As for the gun, declare it. They don't mind and it is best to be lawful.
 
$50/month for Chris Parker????
Holy cow - that's more than my - well more than all subscriptions I have
 
Annually he is much more economical. Check his site for the annual subscription rate before you blast him.
 
I pay $50/month for XM Weather on my chartplotter, and Chris Parker is MUCH more detailed. I didn't know how long Snow Alternative was going for. We're only in that area for a month each year. Rates for e-mail regional updates are:

$195/yr (combine with SSB Voice Nets & simultaneous Webcasts for just $295/yr)
6mo $190
5mo $165
4mo $140
3mo $95
2mo $80
1mo $50
 
Whenever I went to the Bahamas (Bimini and Grand Bahama) the authorities were more interested in an exact (EXACT) ammunition count. If there was any question you would want to produce the unfired ammo.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

You can listen to Chris Parker for free on SSB and via the internet my understanding is you can't ask him a question unless you are a "sponsoring" vessel.
More on Chris Parker weather.....
http://commutercruiser.com/chris-parker-weather-watch-live/

Bill

Click to expand...


That is true. And I have used his services in the past and his weather forecasts are very good. But there is so much free weather info on the web now that for just tooling around the Bahamas you may fine you do not need his services.
 
quote:
Originally posted by HIGHLIFEII

Remington to the Bahamas?? Will you declare that when you check in?

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Declare the ammo and any guns it's not a big deal if you don't lie to them.
They are smarter then most NE US states.
Bill
 
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