Satellite upgrade

Angel D.

Angel D.

Member III
Hello Friends...
Since the hop over the pond is now near ,I bite the bullet and installed a satellite antenna on the boat. With the cheap plan and later offshore data plan for about week and a half. This is just for communication ( and the occasional cats or dogs video in case of emergency to boost the morale and a that "aww" that warms the heart. Lol. )
In all seriousness weather and communication is the goal here.
Screenshot_20251126-144654.png

This is the game plan on way points of 100nm.
Currently waiting on a weather window to make the jump. I made a friend on the way who is doing the same route and we are constantly checking for the window. Also he has a a professional weather planer with years of experience for additional help.

Hope this antenna will do de job right and allow to keep updates coming in while offshore.IMG_20251125_152557787.jpgIMG_20251126_144255183.jpgIMG_20251126_144314067_HDR.jpg

And gladly report that I have uploaded this post through it.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all !
 
Angel D.

Angel D.

Member III
Hello Christian...
Any device with Wi-Fi connection can obtain data through it. Tablet, Phone and Laptop.
Currently using NowCoast,Windy and Predict Wind apps. Also earth.nullschool.net for weather.
For communication the cell phone when Wi-Fi calling is enabled allow for use as usual. Some times here signal just dropped and this way I'm able to call and text. So far it works great and communication is clear.
My cellphone provider is available in Puerto Rico... So I'm going to have service there. Unfortunately not in between.
Right now weather is holding me here. My new friend Emanuel "C&C 40ft (Redshift)" have a weather routing professional. Criss Parker .And we are buddy sailing.Seems like everyone knows him here and have a good reputation. We are all going back and forth trying to figure a departure date.
Low pressure systems keep developing and we just wait.

No point to cross the pond on bad weather...After all , it's meant to be fun.

If this persistent pattern continues, we will just hug the coast and island hop. It's a longer route but will get there eventually.
 
Angel D.

Angel D.

Member III
Very useful indeed. The story that convinced me to do this purchase goes like this.
" Got on a gale of 40kts. When the furler line snapped busted letting the genoa full out. He had to take the sail down. Been exhausted and frustrated he look at the Windyapp ,all will be over in two hours. "

That little bit of information washed his frustrated mind set away. Catch a second breath and changed heading to shore.

So I get to meet him, help him service the furler drum and get the head sail back up.

The SSB radio is good. I learn to receive and decode weather Fax. And I'm able to transmitting far . Last time from Atlantic Highlands NJ to Boston MA.

Yet with this satellite antenna is much easier to communicate and check weather. Nothing wrong with having redundancy.
 
Angel D.

Angel D.

Member III
I forgot to mention that this is the mini antenna. There is a pole mount included and a fishing rod holder is the perfect diameter to mount it. Also is a 12v. But I'm running it from the inverter at the moment. The 12v. cable adapters are sold separately. Another future project to the list perhaps. Since I only use it for short periods of time is fine with me.
 
frick

frick

Sustaining Member
One of my Ham Radio friends went to mini. He reported that It only uses about 2 Amps at 12 volts. His older larger large dish used 11 amps
 
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