Best SSB vor My Use

[Madehn]

We are hoping to leave out cruising in the next year- i would lile recommendations for a SSB radio - we intend to be in Caribbean primarily. While good mechanically and with my hands, i am not as competant with electronics. I am looking for some good advice on a radio for weather, email etc. Any tips as to specific models or features that are important would be welcomed. Thanks in advance

[transmitterdan]

For most of the Caribe you can get emails via wifi or cellular hot spot. SSB email is mostly good for the high seas away from coast.

IMO the only SSB radio made today for offshore passages is the ICOM 802. The companion tuner is AT140. For SSB you need either a ham license and a laptop or a Sailmail account ($250/yr) and a Pactor modem. Older Pactor 3 types are often available used. They work great with ICOM radio.

[Dockhead]

Without any doubt, the Icom M802.

Read the excellent primers by KA4WJA, which are stickies in the Electronics forum on here.