Hello Team OCC,

Having investigated the potential cost of a marine SSB, I currently consider a new ICOM iridium product and ask for your experience to determine if it may save some expense.

Please would you clarify if an ICOM Sat100 ptt with VE-PG4 RoIP radio interface gateway, means I now only need a HAM SSB radio, as opposed to a full blown 150w with station tuner?

I understand the significantly lower “ICOM Sat100 ptt with VE-PG4 RoIP” price would certainly benefit my budget.

Grateful for your input,

Regards,


Sonia
SY Salacia

Sonia,
An interesting discussion about kit I had never heard of. I’m sorry I have no experience of the ICOM sat100 PTT & VE-PG4 radio gateway.

There’s a whole new generation of sat coms emerging with Ordinary mobile phone handsets able to send emergency messages via the various low Earth orbit constellations. Again, I’ve only read the headlines on this but phone operators such as 3 are, I believe, giving access to globalstar.

We have now been successfully using Starlink (RV version) whilst cruising with very fast broadband access though it will become more patchy offshore. It is, however, cheaper than Iridium airtime when compared with the IridiumGO unlimited data package. But that’s not one to many as is the case with the ICOM sat100 PTT & VE-PG4 radio gateway.

We too have SSB which is now working reasonably well but I’m not sure I’d spend the money on a full SSB installation were it not already on the boat.
Simon

Many thanks Simon,

That certainly answers my SSB side of the question… I guess I’m trying to weigh up the necessity to buy a minimum spec SSB.

I am also in discussions with Ed W at mailasail and will also double-check everything with my OCC mentor in advance of any purchase.

Grateful for your kind feedback and generous support.

Fair winds,


Sonia
SY Salacia