SSB
shortwave radio email systems offer a low cost alternative to mobile and
satellite phone systems and offers near global coverage. Most SSB email system
work on an annual subscription, so there are no line-time or number of bits
transfer charges as with mobile phone or satellite systems.
To use SSB
Email you require an SSB radio such as the ICOM IC-M710 or ICOM M801, a radio
modem and a computer running Mircosoft Windows 95 or above operating
system.
Once you have your SSB radio to the correct frequency and connected
up to your PACTOR modem, sending SSB email is as easy as sending email via your
telephone line or mobile phone.
Frequencies & licencingThe frequencies used,
in the main, are within marine allocated frequency bands and hence your ship's
radio licence covers you for transmitting on these frequencies. Some USA
stations do use private frequencies which may not be covered by your ships
radio licence and you may find that your marine SSB transceiver will not
transmit on some of the privately used frequencies.
SailCom Marine can re-program the
ICOM M710 to work on these frequencies.
SSB radio Modem and
Transmission Media You need to have a special radio modem to send and
receive email via SSB. Most SSB email services providers transmit using a
transmission media call PACTOR. PACTOR modems are manufactured by
SCS in Germany.
Using
PACTOR-III transmission speeds of 2.8 kbits per second or sometimes faster
(3.6k max) can be achieved. For more information on PACTOR visit
WWW.PACTOR.INFO
Click here for details on
price
and ordering details of PACTOR modems