| Sailing out beyond sight of land can be a lonely place | | | | the slow connection speed as they will be received to |
| and in distant times communication with the land whilst | | | | base stations around the world. |
| at sea was nonexistent. Now a days with the | | | | Satellite Phone |
| introduction of VHF, SSB radios, and Satellite phones, | | | | Satellite phones communicate directly with orbital |
| with the facility to send and receive emails, the world is | | | | satellites. There are four satellite communication |
| a smaller place. | | | | networks in existence |
| The safety aspect of long haul sailing have improved | | | | Inmarsat |
| greatly due to the introduction of the new technology, | | | | Iridium |
| that benefits all. | | | | Globalstar |
| VHF Radio | | | | Thuraya |
| A VHF radio set is both a transmitter and receiver and | | | | The most common one used by long haul yachtsman |
| operates on a frequency range from 156 to 176 MHz. | | | | is the Iridium this uses a large network of 66 low-orbit |
| VHF is used for communication purposes with marina's | | | | satellites about 480 miles above earth to provide a |
| harbours and between other vessels. There are limiting | | | | global coverage. Many other networks do not work in |
| factors for the distance you can communicate using | | | | the Polar Regions, Asia or Americas. |
| VHF and that is the height of your antenna on you | | | | At 2.4 kbps the Iridium is not the quickest, but it's the |
| yacht from the sea level and the curvature of the | | | | only one that delivers reliable global coverage, hence |
| earth, the converging point of the two is on a | | | | it's popularity. |
| diminishing scale of your communicate zone. To gain | | | | You can send or receive 10 to 20 emails in a minute |
| further distance relays can be introduce with other | | | | and download a few days' weather charts takes |
| vessels or relay stations if in your vicinity. The VHF's | | | | around 1 to 6 minutes. |
| radio signal strength also plays a part in the quality of | | | | The latest Iridium OpenPort being released shortly has |
| the radio's communication. | | | | an improved 32 to 128 kbps, so look out for that! |
| SSB Radio | | | | EPIRB |
| Marine SSB (single side band) radios operate on MF | | | | An EPIRB (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio |
| (medium frequency, medium wave) and HF (high | | | | Beacon) is used for communicating a distress signal |
| frequency, short wave). The former works as a | | | | when you yacht is in danger; it's not used for any other |
| ground wave which is suitable for ranges of 30 to 300 | | | | communication purpose only as a standalone piece of |
| miles. Beyond that, HF is required as its signal bounces | | | | safety equipment. |
| of the Ionosphere and back to the earth's surface, | | | | It will automatically on entry into the water transmit a |
| giving a world wide range in theory! | | | | distress signal and give your yachts latitude and |
| There are limiting factors to achieve a good radio | | | | longitude positions to the nearest receiving base. |
| signal where the operator has to tune the radio set to | | | | Safety services will then be alerted and come to your |
| the time of day and conditions of the Ionosphere. | | | | aid. |
| Emails can be sent but kept as small as possible due | | | | |