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

Thanks for your feedback Dick,

I have absolutely checked previous forum SSB articles, but couldn’t seem to find what I was looking for.  To answer your question, this ICOM sat100 PTT & VE-PG4 radio gateway seems to have the benefits of being cheaper, while also integrating with my boat’s existing systems and providing satellite data.  

So, I attach a couple of photos to clarify;


Grateful for all guidance, input and feedback,

Best wishes,

Sonia

+x

 

Sonia Johal - 6 Nov 2022

Thanks for your feedback Dick,

I have absolutely checked previous forum SSB articles, but couldn’t seem to find what I was looking for.  To answer your question, this ICOM sat100 PTT & VE-PG4 radio gateway seems to have the benefits of being cheaper, while also integrating with my boat’s existing systems and providing satellite data.  

So, I attach a couple of photos to clarify;


Grateful for all guidance, input and feedback,

Best wishes,

Sonia

Hi Sonia,
Most of that is above my pay grade.
When in the higher lats, I did use a sat-phone with a link to my computer for verbal comm and for weather and emails. It worked quite well, but was not an unexpensive solution, although pretty appreciated.
What do you hope for with the system you are designing: email?, weather (text and/or surface analysis’s?, verbal conversation?, position reporting?, emergency reporting/consultation?, surfing the internet?, etc.
A comprehensive list of what you wish to accomplish should be helpful at narrowing the choices.
Whatever you choose: use it at sea before your trip. There are too often surprises that are impossible to deal with without support.
My best, Dick

Thanks Again Dick,

I appreciate your generous time and kind consideration. To answer your question, I’m trying to integrate my existing systems, reduce the installation expense and ongoing usage cost, while gaining the following features out at sea without a mobile signal;

BACKUP COMMS;
I already have a YB tracker for position reporting with short burst messaging for texts, social media, emergency and SMS weather via a consultancy for backup

LOCAL COMMS;
I already have a 5G phone, VHf DSC radio, emergency vhf aerial and a 5G signal booster router/aerial onboard. I also intend to purchase class B AIS with DSC, an entry level HAM SSB radio and second vhf aerial.

LONG RANGE BLUEWATER COMMS;
I would like to benefit from using the cost effectiveness of the local radio comms with the option of longer range satellite vhf and SSB RoIP (Radio over IP) Voice calls over IP, PredictWind weather routing analysis and satellite emergency DSC over GEO/GMDSS.

BONUS COMMS;
Emergency software downloads, remote equipment repairs, file sharing, browsing, social media and photos.

I hope this answers your question and helps to clarify the suitability of the ICOM sat100 & VE-PG4 gateway repeater solution from Iridium versus another way.

Grateful for your consideration and guidance.

Regards,


Sonia
SY Salacia