OK3KSB,
Oppss...
Dockhead pointed out something that I missed, that you are on a "tight budget"....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dockhead
...the OP said he wants only the capability of sending short, text-only messages to family and friends. And it seems he's on a tight budget.
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So, with that in mind....
EDIT....
Just read your detailed post....and now with that new info, I have a few
additional comments/recommendations....
--- Not the least of which is, June of 2016 is a LONG way off, so you have PLENTY of time!!!
--- And, a willingness to learn is also a BIG plus!!!
--- Also, with this further info, I'm even more convinced of my recommendations here (below)....
1) I would use the M-710 for Voice comms (both "one-way"
weather and information broadcasts, and "two-way" comms to other cruising boats, the MMSN, etc.)
No additional cost here...
If you desire to keep family/friends updated to your progress along a voyage, you can simply check-in to the Maritime Mobile
Service Net (MMSN) on 14.300mhz daily....and have a net control station (or others) post your position and message/comments on shiptrak...
Maritime Mobile Service Network
ShipTrak v4.0
No additional cost here...
2) I would connect an audio cable from the M-710 to your computer (assuming you have a soundcard input), and use free
software (JVComm, GetFax, etc.) to receive WeFax, text, and NAVTEX
weather broadcasts....
Max cost here is < $10....
(If you have a tablet, some have even just placed the tablet next to the
radio, and used the microphone of the tablet and a free /
cheap WeFax app, to download WeFax
charts, etc...not the best approach, but it does
work and is
cheap...)
For details, have a look here....
Offshore / Hi-Seas Weather data / forecasts
3) For e-mail connectivity....save your
money and do NOT try to send/receive e-mails when at sea on
passage....
Use cellular data plans and/or Wi-Fi, when in range of these systems, and forgo the "e-mail at sea" requirement....
Assuming that you already have a smart
phone / tablet /
laptop (with a data card or mi-fi device), and/or a decent Wi-Fi system on-board (an Alfa USB Wi-Fi device is ~ $30)....there is no additional costs here to you...
4) For
safety communications....
a) A properly registered 406mhz
EPIRB, with new/fresh
battery...
Assuming you have one, so no additional costs here....(Additional cost here is a few hundred dollars, if you don't already have one...)
b) A VHF-DSC radio, with a good (new) masthead
antenna and coaxial cable....(don't discount the need for making sure that your cable/connections are new, and good!!)
Assuming you have this already, no additional costs....if not, then a few hundred dollars extra...
{Note that the "DSC" functions are VERY important, and your MUST have a valid MMSI# programmed into the radio, in order to get the
DSC transmit functions to
work....and you should have the VHF-DSC radio connected to a
GPS unit 24/7, a dedicated
GPS is always a good idea here...}
5) If there is some other reason that you require e-mail connectivity / text messaging (or further tracking) at sea that I'm not aware of, then I agree with Dockhead about using Winmor, and/or a Delorme InReach, Yellowbrick, etc...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dockhead
That would seem to eliminate Pactor and especially SailMail, which at $250 a year is by itself close to the cost of a Yellow Brick (or Delorme) subscription.
If he can get the radio working, it's not a great leap to Winmor and WinLink, which I bet will work for him.
Otherwise, you can't beat the Yellow Brick. Unlike HF radio, it's plug 'n' play, cheap, effective.
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Please forgive my ramblings earlier....as I wrote, I missed the part where you were on a tight
budget...
Fair winds...
John
s/v Annie Laurie