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I too agree that having several options is the best solution. I may yet get a sat phone, but until then, VHF, a HAM capbable SSB and international GSM/GPRS cell phone suffice quite nicely.
I was also a bit apprehensive about installing my SSB. After having read all there was ...and SO many conflicting reports...I found that it was actually very simple and could be done very cheaply. I want to reiterate my installation for those here who might be looking for help. I hasten to add, I was aided by many good folks online and at the marina. I am no expert.
As it turns out, installation can be very simple and cheap. There are really only two things to install, besides the radio itself and the tuner: the counterpoise/ground and the antenna.
Installing the counterpoise/ground can be done using $15 worth of copper flashing you get at Home Depot. You cut it into 3inch wide strips and run it from the tuner ground to 1, 2 or 3 thru hulls and then run the rest though the bilge. Yes, you can run wire radials, but he cost of copper flashing from home depot is simply cheaper and there is nothing to measure. Copper flashing works just as well as the expensive copper tape from WM.
This technology is so robust that an antenna can be anything from an $8 spool of 25ft of 12 or 14g wire to your backstay. Wire worked just fine for most frequencies. I keep a 25ft spool of 12g marine grade wire ready to be put out as an emergency antenna.
I do not use an ICOM tuner. I have one from LDG (AT200Pro, $250) and it works just fine. I came with the two cables needed to connect it to my ICOM SSB: the control cable and a short coax cable to connect to the SSB antenna. Simple. It sits atop my SSB right at the nav sta. I ran a simple wire out to the antenna (either a long wire raised in the rigging or now, my backstay). It tunes up just fine and I am heard loud and clear far far away.
IN my experimenting, I tried many variations of the above, most worked well. The above works like gangbusters and I must be one of the loudest and clearest boats around.
I urge those interested to try it. You will never regret having an SSB aboard. Even the least expensive ($200-600), used ICOM or other can work as well as a new and expensive one. Go ahead and install it yourself...there are many good people here and elsewhere willing to help.
Hope this helps
John
s/v Invictus
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