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Boating 101: communications systems for cruisers
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Cruisers traveling from the U.S. to Mexico and points beyond can have Internet and telephone connectivity even from the most remote locations...for a price. Below our guest author, Dick Drechsler, explains the communications systems onboard the sailing vessel, Last Resort:
I don't know about the rest of you, but when our 401K turned into a 201K, we thought our cruising plans would be dashed. However, since my wife is in public relations and I'm an author, we have managed to continue working and earning a comfortable income, even while cruising over 10,000 miles in the last three years. I don't feel that we've missed anything as a result because we always stay long enough in each location to leave just before we stop having fun. Because the key to our success has been the ability to communicate from anywhere on the planet, we spend a fair sum of money and have redundant systems to ensure constant Internet connectivity, when needed. Having done this now for three years, I think I have enough experience to share our strategies with the group. Hopefully, some of you will find some useful information in this post.
- Verizon Aircards. The backbone of our system is Verizon Aircards, one each. However, when we get to Mexico, we are going to switch one Aircard to the global plan that includes Mexico (and shares the Telcel sites) and use a Cradlepoint router to create a local area network aboard ship. I have also just ordered a Wilson amplifier system so that we can pick up cell signals from greater distances.
- WiFi. We have an 18dbi omni-directional antenna mounted on a stern pole with many other antennas. Our radio is an Engenius 360 Ext. We have received usable signal from as far as 2-miles with no problems.
- ICOM M802/Pactor III USB modem. I use Sailmail ($250/year) and Winlink (free, but no business communications permitted) with the Airmail 3 software. You are all pretty familiar with this system, so I won't elaborate.
- Iridium satellite phone with modem. Data is slow at a 9.6 kbps rate. However, I have found that this system interfaces extremely well with the Airmail 3 software. I can check my email, sending and receiving 15 - 20 average messages (no attachments) in less than two minutes. I also use this system to file my Winlink position reports. We don’t use it for file attachments or viewing web pages. The cost is $0.85 per minute with a 5000 minute/two-year package. The cost goes up to a high of $1.39/minute with smaller packages (500 minutes being the most popular.) [Click HERE for Examiner's article on extending your satellite phone minutes.]
- Finally, we use the Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) system. This system used to only be available in the Atlantic, but last year, Inmarsat launched new satellites to provide world-wide coverage. I warn everyone, this system is EXPENSIVE. The receiver, a Sabre 1 Wideye, was around $1400 and is not gyro-stabilized, but it's got a large sweet spot, so it works fine at anchor and even underway in smooth, flat seas. We also had a bracket made so we can mount it on our FollowMeTV system, which we’re no longer used for TV viewing purposes, This keeps the unit aimed at the satellite, but doesn't compensate for pitch and roll. Data is a whopping $6.50 per megabit. With the limited testing we've done to date, we've determined that the average email (including reasonable text attachments) seems to cost about $0.30 and each page view of a typical website will probably be between $0.50 and $8.50 (depending on the amount of data on the website). So, here’s a word of warning: turn off all AUTOMATIC UPDATES. Microsoft can easily download a 200 – 300 Mb file automatically, without you knowing, for example. So, while you think you’re just sending a few emails, suddenly you’re confronted with a $1500 - $2000 bill for data! Obviously, we will only use this system in emergencies, but we've found when comparing the extra data costs with the costs of a slip in a typical marina where we can get cell or WiFi connectivity, it works out about the same, and we get to enjoy paradise while we work.
Disclaimer: Neither this reporter, nor Examiner, has any certification or warrants regarding any equipment, services or techniques suggested in this column. All advice contained herein has been researched for the use of a private yacht and we advise you to use the information as a starting point for your own investigation for systems on your boat.
If you have any specific questions regarding equipment and specs, please comment below and we will ask Dick for his best opinion. (Dick started the Sail Through Cancer Foundation and wrote the top-selling book about his overcoming cancer to sail 2600 miles to Alaska, Manning Up In Alaska.)
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