The Olympics are coming soon and with it, the excitement of competition between the world’s greatest athletes. Because the Olympics will be seen by millions of people across the world, athlete’s preparations must be finely tuned with their teams in order to reach the ultimate readiness. Just like the athletes preparing for the Olympics, boaters must be prepared with finely tuned equipment for their extended travels on the water.
Communication is a key component of safely traveling the open ocean and inland waters.
IC-M802 SSB
What type of communication equipment should boaters use on board? Many claim a satellite phone is all they need for communications, so is there still the need for a single side band like an Icom M802? Let’s discuss some of the advantages.
Weather – Satellite phone transmissions are more vulnerable to the weather. Just like a satellite TV service like the Dish Network or DirectTV, loss of transmissions can occur under adverse weather conditions. The weather can change at a moment’s notice on the water. When communications are most needed, a reliable SSB will be there to offer a clear signal to dispatch or to other boats. In addition, the Icom M802 allows you the benefit of sending messages via email, which can be very handy for short messages to friends and family.
Usage – While the installation of an SSB is initially more work, there are no additional charges to transmit and receive. A satellite phone, like a cellphone, requires a usage plan.
Community – Satellite phone communication is one-to-one. SSB communications is one-to-many. The communication between all boaters creates a community among other boaters for information about weather, inside tips about passage, and help in emergency situations. The additional ability to add ham channels in an IC-M802 SSB opens up the even larger community of amateur operators willing to help, entertain, and inform. This creates a whole network to share information that satellite phones just can’t match.
Is your boat ready for the adventure of the open ocean or the excitement of discovery on inland waters? For more information about the Icom M802 and other marine 2-way communications, visit our website at icomamerica.com.
