February 8, 2010 20:41
I'm going to make a little cost comparison between SSB and Iridium for offshore weather/email and communications. Maybe someone will be able to add something to my list or correct any of my prices...
Iridium 9555 satphone w/ data kit $1495.00 US
One time activation fee $49.94 US
500 prepaid minutes (1yr exp) $725.00
x-gate software download $59.00 US
x-gate 1yr email subscription $240.00 US
Advantages:
No propagation issues (solar flares)
No install/quick install on boat
Easy to call home/other phones
Disadvantages:
Per use charges
Can't talk to yachtie friends for free
Will need to add all band receiver and multimode software
to read weatherfax. Receiver $150 US, Multimode $89 US
Grand total: $2807.94 USD
ICOM M-802 $1800.00 US (approx)
AT-140 Tuner $490.00 US
Tuner control cable $69.99 US or make your own for less
Coax from transceiver to tuner Approx $40.00 US (diy)
GTO-15 wire $30.00 US
Insulated backstay or long HF antenna $150.00 US
Copper ground plane 50' $69.00 US
Pactor 3 Modem $1400 US
VMware Fusion to run Airmail on mac $79.99 US
Sailmail Annual membership $250.00 US
Multimode software for reading weatherfax $89 US
Advantages:
No per use charges
Free communications with yachtie friends
Free communications with weather routers
Disadvantages:
Propagation issues
Installation time/expense
Have to use Windoze to run Pactor/sailmail
Grand total: $4467.98 USD
This is the first time I've ever compared the two systems. I'm sure the SSB/ham route could be made cheaper by buying some used/older equipment. Or using winlink, but in that case you would have to get a HAM licence to use the service. No commercial/business based emails are allowed on winlink to my knowledge. I haven't included the licence fee for the SSB, because I don't know what it is.
Hope others can add to this comparison.
Brennan
Iridium 9555 satphone w/ data kit $1495.00 US
One time activation fee $49.94 US
500 prepaid minutes (1yr exp) $725.00
x-gate software download $59.00 US
x-gate 1yr email subscription $240.00 US
Advantages:
No propagation issues (solar flares)
No install/quick install on boat
Easy to call home/other phones
Disadvantages:
Per use charges
Can't talk to yachtie friends for free
Will need to add all band receiver and multimode software
to read weatherfax. Receiver $150 US, Multimode $89 US
Grand total: $2807.94 USD
ICOM M-802 $1800.00 US (approx)
AT-140 Tuner $490.00 US
Tuner control cable $69.99 US or make your own for less
Coax from transceiver to tuner Approx $40.00 US (diy)
GTO-15 wire $30.00 US
Insulated backstay or long HF antenna $150.00 US
Copper ground plane 50' $69.00 US
Pactor 3 Modem $1400 US
VMware Fusion to run Airmail on mac $79.99 US
Sailmail Annual membership $250.00 US
Multimode software for reading weatherfax $89 US
Advantages:
No per use charges
Free communications with yachtie friends
Free communications with weather routers
Disadvantages:
Propagation issues
Installation time/expense
Have to use Windoze to run Pactor/sailmail
Grand total: $4467.98 USD
This is the first time I've ever compared the two systems. I'm sure the SSB/ham route could be made cheaper by buying some used/older equipment. Or using winlink, but in that case you would have to get a HAM licence to use the service. No commercial/business based emails are allowed on winlink to my knowledge. I haven't included the licence fee for the SSB, because I don't know what it is.
Hope others can add to this comparison.
Brennan