Hi, this is Paul (VALIS). I'm going to be presenting at the March 14 Communications Seminar, and as I prepare for this I would really appreciate any questions or comments you might have.
Here's an outline of the areas I think would be useful:
• SSB
o Installation -- typical costs, options
o Antenna and ground systems
o Power – connections and power budget
o Operation – Sailmail and other email choices, cost, practical limitations, spam email
o How to communicate – microphone technique, headset use, practice, relaying, other radio traffic
o Onboard radio noise – sources, mitigation
o Common problems – antenna, low battery, noise, propagation, interference from other vessels, crazy autopilot
o Return passage coordination and emergency communications with Pac Cup boats.
• Satphone
o Installation -- typical costs, options
o Antenna options
o Power – connections and power budget
o Operation – XGate, Sailmail, and other email choices, cost, practical limitations, pre-paid minutes
o How to communicate – just like a phone.
o Always-on?
o Onboard radio noise – sources, mitigation
o Common problems – dropped calls, running out of minutes, spam email, spam filters
• Related topics
o Getting weather info – satphone email, SSB email, SSB WFAX, SSB voice broadcasts
o Computer – laptop, netbook, ?, power budget
Any thoughts? I don't want this to be a rehash of what everybody already knows, but I'm thinking there might be a broad range of experience in the room. I do hope that some of you will be willing to help answer the hard questions and provide real-world advice (my own experience is on my crewed heavy cruising vessel).
Hope to see you there!