Single Side Band

[chris_the_wrench]

Hello,

I'm looking to increase the radio capacity of a sailboat, I'm looking to purchase, so we can have larger range of transmission versus the standard VHF. Plus the ability to send email over the radio is a very big perk.

My knowledge of this subject is just beginning, so please be patient.

The beginning of my questions are:
1- From what I understand a SSB radio is basically a simplified HAM radio?
2- A HAM radio can perform the functions of an SSB, but is slightly more complicated?
3- Most items labeled Marine or coming from a Marine type store generally are much more expensive then their identical twin that comes from a more general hardware store. Is that true with these radios. I was looking at the Icom M710 which is between $1450 and $1600 at Marine stores and online. What would a non-marine specific version be model and price wise?

While this is a marine specific request, I will gladly accept any thoughts or suggestions(especially non-marine specific).
Thanks
-Chris

 

[SunTzuNephew]

Hello,

I'm looking to increase the radio capacity of a sailboat, I'm looking to purchase, so we can have larger range of transmission versus the standard VHF. Plus the ability to send email over the radio is a very big perk.

My knowledge of this subject is just beginning, so please be patient.

The beginning of my questions are:
1- From what I understand a SSB radio is basically a simplified HAM radio?
2- A HAM radio can perform the functions of an SSB, but is slightly more complicated?
3- Most items labeled Marine or coming from a Marine type store generally are much more expensive then their identical twin that comes from a more general hardware store. Is that true with these radios. I was looking at the Icom M710 which is between $1450 and $1600 at Marine stores and online. What would a non-marine specific version be model and price wise?

While this is a marine specific request, I will gladly accept any thoughts or suggestions(especially non-marine specific).
Thanks
-Chris

SSB is a mode of modulating the signal, like AM or FM. If you picture a sine-wave graph of the wave form (those squiggley lines) SSB is just one part of the signal - either above or below the line but not the other (or the line). Advantages are effectively about 3x the power out the antenna so longer range. Ham HF radios usually have the ability to transmit on AM and SSB (either upper sideband or lower sideband).

Marine certified radios are required (to be legal) and are built quite a bit better for better durability and reliability. They may seem simpler because they have far fewer knobs and meters, but some (myself included) think that is a strong advantage, especially with less experienced operators. One big difference is that most marine HF radios have the ability to transmit on fixed channels (frequencies) while Ham radios can transmit pretty much anywhere in the band. While Ham radios can transmit on marine freqs (some may need to be modified) and marine radios can transmit on ham freqs (will usually need to be modified) doing so (ham on marine) isn't quite legal.

Marine radios often also have a bit more power (not a lot, 125 or 150 w PEP instead of 100w), and frequently have the ability to automatically transmit on the emergency frequency (2182) or transmit DSC, digital selective calling, which is an emergency call for help function (and tied to GPS units). In theory all this could be added to a ham radio, but it would be a true PITA, a mess to wire up, and reliability would be less. Oh, and it wouldn't be legal.

You can often find good deals for radios on ebay, which helps with the price somewhat.

FWIW, I have an Icom IC-700Pro on my sailboat (Pacific Seacraft 44), with a backstay antenna, the AT-140 tuner, and a backup folded dipole (B&W stainless) emergency antenna I could rig from a broken mast... I was thinking of trading up to an IC-802, but I rather like the 700Pro. I have one in my (land) ham shack as my HF radio for digital modes...