The SSB system is very reliable--and not all that hard to learn. My wife took a novice Ham course--and along with on the job training--especially since I was on several HAM nets every day, this was enough for her to become proficient in its use.
The SEA radios are excellent--even older ones could be reprogramed and modified by the factory. They are a commercial grade. (Data Marine and SEA have combined--and I am not sure of current product support).
The antenna and ground plane--as well as tuner and connections are critical. I have communicated all over the world from my boats--and from my base station, have followed circumnaviators over 3/4 of the way around the world (a little problem with the Indian Ocean from Florida--but part of the problem was I wanted to get some sleep--and the specific propogation. Don't give up SSB/Ham--when the more modern communications goes down--it still works as noted in recent diseasters.
Bob Austin
The SSB system is very reliable--and not all that hard to learn. My wife took a novice Ham course--and along with on the job training--especially since I was on several HAM nets every day, this was enough for her to become proficient in its use.
The SEA radios are excellent--even older ones could be reprogramed and modified by the factory. They are a commercial grade. (Data Marine and SEA have combined--and I am not sure of current product support).
The antenna and ground plane--as well as tuner and connections are critical. I have communicated all over the world from my boats--and from my base station, have followed circumnaviators over 3/4 of the way around the world (a little problem with the Indian Ocean from Florida--but part of the problem was I wanted to get some sleep--and the specific propogation. Don't give up SSB/Ham--when the more modern communications goes down--it still works as noted in recent diseasters.
Bob Austin
