[PUP] Email at sea

[Robby & Dolores]

I assume you mean "at sea" not coastal where cell phones and/or wi-ft work.

I couple years ago when we were cruising in the Faeroes & Iceland, my 
Iridium phone worked 100% of the time with little effort.  It was the most 
cost effective solution I could find.  My set-up included the optional 
outside antenna and cabling which, IMO, is important for a satisfactory user 
experience.  I Typically connected each day for 2-3 minutes to collect & 
send email.

I do carry a Ham SSB (ICOM 725) but was told by ICOM that it would not work 
with the modem necessary with Winlink (or Sailmail).  The costs of the SSB 
set-up was greater then Iridium.  I did use it on voice periodically.

You may remember my posts last year about my friends attempting the NW 
passage.  They routinely used WINLINK, but found up in Greenland and West, 
they couldn't connect with the radio due to propagation.  Eventually they 
were able to rent an Iridium phone which then provided reliable email 
connection.

Robby