SSB vs Iridium, or Both ?

[Camelot]

Dear blue water sailors,

Almost everyone you speak to is found of the SSB for intership and flotilla communication for the ocean passages. “The SSB is a must” seems to be a well established fact. My challenge is however that I am not sure about this. I have crossed the Atlantic once. We used the SSB for that crossing but that is 15 years ago. Since then I have done several long distance sailings without the SSB. And to be frankly, who should I have talked to by SSB during these journeys? I am aware of the presents of nets that would function as communication hubs. But is the efficiency in this communication worth the huge investment to have a SSB in place? My main requirements for communication at see are as follows:

• To get in contact with support in a mayday situation
• Download GRIB files for weather forecast
• Exchange emails
• To get in contact with other identified boats outside the VHF range

These three requirements have to be fulfilled with 100% reliability of connection. The question is then: Both SSB and Iridium, only Iridium or only SSB?

I hope someone could share their actual experience regarding this issue.

Fair winds,
Gunnar

[LakeSuperior]

Gunnar,
This 90 post thread may answer your question.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ard-54689.html

[Camelot]

Didn't find this thread at the first place. Thanks! That is exactly the discussion I was looking for.

Gunnar

[Sheriff]

lol rofl

[Bill Burgette]

I've decided to go with both because I'd like to keep in touch with fellow cruisers and gab a bit just to break the monotony. Sometimes I'd have a desire to talk instead of sand on teak. I've weighed the cost of a sat phone and the ease of use and a desire to keep my extended family free from worry is worth it to me. The best I can tell, 3000 minutes over a two year period would cost about a hundred dollars a month. 3 dollars a day for 4 minutes a day to hear a cheerful voice is worth it to me.

My friends could get a map and track my progress as well as inform me of any unfortunate weather patterns.
It appears that a SSB can be had for under a thousand dollars. and a HAM license would be no problem. Of course, that's just me. just drink one less beer per day and I'm talking. I drink good beer.