offshore communications

[carisea]

I have an SSB transciever on my boat which came with the boat when I bought it. I have tried it but not in a disciplined way. Reception seems spotty. A pact I made with my wife when we decided to go cruising was that I would make sure we had reliable communications with our family. E-mail ,voice
even picture transmission if possible. I also have a new laptop. I think globalstar would be a bettersystem than the SSB. I want to talk to the kids, download weather fax from NOAA I need the phone, a usb cable and a rate plan. Phone about 600 cable 60 monthly plan 50/mo.
With SSB I need some kind of pac modem about 6-700 bucks but I am not sure if I am spinning my wheels on this route if I can not get reliable connection. What are pro and cons of each Thanks

[jklewissf]

Satelite phones are the most reliable and maybe even the cheapest way to stay in email contact.

SSB email requires a very carefully installed system with a very good rf ground or the noise locks you into endless cycles of sending the same packets over and over again. This eats the amps.

If you are having reception problems that you can detect with voice transmission you probably have a very marginal rf ground plane. Even when the voice communication sounds fine the ground may not be good enough for email.

SSB does require an expensive modem that can cost up to $1,000 and be a pain to install and learn to use. $1,000 can buy a lot of satelite phone time.

Using your cell phone in a foreign country can cost more than the satellite phone on a per minute basis.

Using a satelite phone is pretty much as easy as using a cell phone. In an emergency, that can be a major factor especially if the operator is not someone who is very knowledgable about radios.