Offshore Communication Options
Offshore communication today is important and easy and relatively cheap, but does require coping with options.
If not a single-sideband aficionado, a satellite telephone is the way to go, and Iridium now pretty much the obvious choice.
I prefer a standard handset phone, the Iridium 9555. The alternative is Iridium Go, which utilizes a smartphone for calls. I concluded I did not want to be dealing with an iPhone when abandoning ship into a dinghy. But the Go is popular.
The satphone, waterproof and reliable, is how you call for help while sinking. Also, if she is still speaking to you, your spouse.
The satphone also downloads Gribs (wind predictions files) and surface analysis charts, probably every day.
That requires a laptop computer to be connected to the satphone, and a compression service (because straight satellite phone time is expensive). I use UUplus (
http://www.uuplus.com/ ). It's a small company and they answer the phone and will walk you through installation and usage. .
The UUplus software and the variety of weather predeiction products take some familiarization. Allow a month, well in advance of departure, to set up the system and get used to it. UUPlus is is the means of sending and receiving emails and texts. Photos are slow and not recommended.
So: a satphone (or Iridium Go), a service such as UUPlus, and a laptop. Once familiarized, good to go.
I have bought all this stuff in the past but now I believe in renting it, unless heading off for a year or so. I had good experience with this small company, which answers the phone: Preferred Communications—410 Central Avenue—Butner, NC 27509Phone: 1-919-575-4600—
Both UUPlus and the satphone require a monthly contract. A time card must be purchased for the satphone. I chose 200 minutes, but my usual daily download of weather and email was only a minute or two, thanks to UUplus. However, if the card runs out offshore, the satphone is useless.
I had success renting the Iridium 9555 handset, and with it the auxiliary "buoy" antenna. This is to be temporarily installed on a 4-foot piece of PVC pipe on the transom, with a wire run to the nav station belowdecks. The aux antenna allows the phone to be used belowdecks, rather than standing in the wind and pointing the handset antenna at satellites. It also eliminates blockage of the satellite by the sails on some points of sail.
We are all different and a satphone are not the only solution. Weather files can also be downloaded by shortwave. Single-sideband radio, if set up, can do it all. Each system requires practice before departure. Trying to figure out transmission issues on a pitching boat in howling rain is an unnecessary challenge.
So, my opinion is: research and decide. Rent, don't buy. Study up well in advance.
And do contract with a weather professional ashore, so when that gale or hurricane appears unexpectedly ahead you can call for advice and routing to avoid. It won't happen and you'll never have to make that call--but it is good to know he's there.