single side band radio

[ModMMax]

Where should I go to purchase a single side band radio? I have looked on the www and found several but would appreciate product specific advice from those who own and use one. Thanks in advance.

[sailingdog]

It depends... are you going to do the installation yourself? If not, then I would probably have whoever is going to do the install purchase if...if they can get it at a reasonable price. Also, what capabilities do you need in the SSB radio you are getting? Do you need to have a Pactor modem setup? Do you need Ham radio capability?? Finally, how much space do you have for the radio setup? Do you want a single piece unit, or do you want one with a separate control panel and main radio body?? Do you want an automatic antenna tuner??

A couple of on-line sources that are usually competitive... defender.com, hamiltonmarine.com, pyatch.net, binnacle.com, mauriprosailing.com. Not all will have all the same products, so YMMV depending on what you're looking for.

[k1vsk]

In addition to what sailingdog said, you might try some of the on-line ham radio outlets such as Ham Radio Outlet and Amateur Electronics Supply. I haven't priced these lately but i suspect you might get a better price and selection at these compared with the marine suppliers.

[ModMMax]

Thanks guys. Geez, didn't know it was this complicated. Thought the radio and antenna might look and install like a VHF. I will be doing the install. The person I talked to said that in the Bahamas, there is weather and other information available every morning on the SSB and I should have one. That's about as much as I know. I found a www site that showed one about like I described but no price and they said it was commercial marine grade which told me it was going to be pricey. Sailingdog, thanks for the info re places to shop. I'll start looking.

[btrayfors]

ModMMax,

Give Gary Jensen at Dockside Radio in Punta Gorda, FL a call. He's extremely knowledgeable, a real gentleman, has good prices and good technical assistance for things he sells, etc.

www.docksideradio.com

Bill

[goose327]

This might be a dumb question, but, what's wrong with an old(or new, they still make'em) Cobra 148? Are there differences between SSB's?

[Freesail99]

Most of th ssb radios being used are icom the model 802 is the lastest and greatest. You would need the radio, a very good ground, a antenna tuner, pactor modem. All in all about $3500 plus installment. Here is a link for another brand that I found that has the antenna tuner built in a savings of about 450 bucks. I have seen this radio as low as $1600.
http://www.boatersland.com/fs1503em.html

Hope this helps, if you google ssb radio, you'll also find plenty of information.

[ModMMax]

Just got off the phone with a company in Lauderdale that sells and installs. As said by Freesail, I will need a ground plan, an antenna, an antenna tuner, a radio and about $3500 bucks. I keep running into CB/SSb radios. Is this a trucker style CB and is this different from the SSB I would want in the boat? Goose327, you talk about a Cobra radio. Cobra is a common but high end CB is it not? Will a standard CB work at least to listen to the SSB broadcasts? If you think I look real stupid right now it because I am. Thanks for taking the time to help me figure this out.

[goose327]

NO no ,, Max,, not stupid at all my friend. I too am wondering, what is the difference between these $$$$ radios and the $$$ ones. I can get a Cobra 148(yes, high end CB) for around 150US, it has a built in SWR adjuster, 40 channels plus upper and lower sides, and puts out max. 12 watts, flying a masthead antenna would get a GOOD signal out and back.
I'm sure the high ends Icoms you guys are refering to are more suited to marine use, but are the REALLY different?

[k1vsk]

They are entirely different. Any CB radio, including the SSB version, is a pickup truck toy - 5 watt max transmit power and limited in frequency range to just the 40 designated cb channels. By comparison, a marine SSB is 100 - 150 W output and will/can cover the frequency spectrum from 1.8 - 30 Mhz continuously.

Some radios, like the furuno radio linked previously, are not continuously tunable which can be a real pain depending on your needs. If you ever hope or plan to use it on ham bands, make sure you buy one that has a true variable frequency oscillator (VFO) which allow continuous tuning. The furuno type above as well as others are a hybrid in that they tune similar to a car radio.