- V8V2222 -
HF/SSB radio services


Marine communications for cruising the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and SE Asia. 

HF (SSB) radio remains the principle system for medium to long distance marine communications, for cruisers and other small-craft. It is the official  maritime distress and emergency communications service - for small and large vessels - throughout the Pacific & Indian Oceans, and SE Asia. It remains compulsory equipment on all large vessels; commercial and recreational. 

Since 2001, HF/SSB radio manufacturers around the world have experienced a big increase in sales. This has occurred despite the availability of sophisticated shore and satellite based voice, data and internet systems

For example, the two main Australian manufacturers of commercial/military HF/SSB radios - Barrett and Codan - have grown many times over.  And ICOM (Japan), created it's first commercial HF/SSB radio, and expanded it's range of marine HF/SSB radios in recent years.

Why has HF/SSB radio become more popular despite the development of other apparently more sophisticated communication services:

1. Because - in the marine area - the implementation of GMDSS for ships over 300 tonnes freed busy HF/SSB radio frequencies of heavy users, so these frequencies are now available for use by yachts and other small-craft. Large vessels - such as cruise ships, military and cargo vessels - were required to install expensive - high power - satellite communications equipment. Their high volume traffic - especially telephone interconnect traffic - shifted from HF/SSB radio frequencies to the satellite carrier they were compelled to use.  Great news for recreational small-craft with a marine HF/SSB radio.
 

2. Because some smart German radio electronics engineers developed technologies to make email available efficiently via HF/SSB radio; far more efficiently and much faster than traditional weather fax or NAVTEX. So official METAREA forecasts, GRIB weather charts (a graphic display with isobars, wind speed/direction arrows, colour shading for wave height, shadow for rain areas), coastal weather forecasts and weather warning emails can now be requested/received via HF (SSB) radio. There is no need to sit beside the radio at voice or weather fax broadcast times. Collect the information via HF (SSB) email when on-board routines permit, and reliably receive much more detailed and useful information.

The same HF/SSB radio email equipment/service is also used to order parts, arrange shore stops, book a marina berth, take school or university courses, and keep in touch with family; while enjoying beautiful, secluded anchorages and crossing empty oceans. 

And for yachts without DSC in their existing marine HF/SSB radio, email can be used to initiate contact with most MRCCs, to get them to open their radio mutes and make voice contact on the official marine distress frequencies. See the MRCC pages of this website for details.
 

3. Because HF/SSB radio - and radio email - utilises well established technologies, to provide truly low-cost marine communications. It's the most cost-effective communications option for small-craft. There is no need to pay (via high connection time fees) for the  high cost and high risk of satellite communications technology development, the cost of space shuttles or the salaries of leading edge rocket scientists, astronauts, and communication engineers which such experimental technologies require.

HF (SSB) radio works without intermediate satellites, communications towers etc. It provides no-cost communications between vessels, and between vessels and shore stations. 

HF (SSB) radio now incorporates digital technology and other developments  to increase it's effectiveness, lower it's on-board power requirements and make it simpler to operate. These have helped it become the optimum - low-cost - communication medium for long range email services, such as SailMail and BBRemail.    

4. Because HF/SSB radio still works when all the gee-whiz stuff falls over, often because of something as simple as a broken electricity cable or lack of electricity supply.  A number of notable events in the last ten years have emphasised how the amazing terrestrial and satellite networks we've become dependent upon are so fragile, complex, easily damaged and slow to repair. For example:

• Destruction of the Twin Towers by terrorism and the devastation of New Orleans by tropical storm left local communication services broken, overwhelmed and in disarray, for weeks, exactly when reliable and plentiful communications is important to manage the problem and co-ordinate response resources. As a consequence, the USA established a public access HF (SSB) radio email service - using a similar  hardware/software integration as SailMail - to help provide reliable communications at such times. Authorities chose not to use satellite options for this critical service.

• The Iridium satellite collision with space debris in 2009 knocked out one satellite and left Iridium users - particularly those near the equator where Iridium satellites are most widely spaced - with a reduced service availability and reliability. Land and marine users of the Iridium system in equatorial areas experienced a decline in service reliability.

• A number of tsunamis in Asia have destroyed coastlines and with it, the existing communication infrastructures, with their dependence on electricity supply along with sophisticated cable, mobile phone and satellite communication pathways.  SailMail and BBRemail users on yachts and commercial vessels became important communication relay points during these incidents, because their HF/SSB radio based email and voice communication systems still worked, despite the local damage to sophisticated land-based communications systems and their satellite links.

• The fires that killed hundreds of people in Victoria (Australia) in 2009 precipitated a loss of electrical power (ie: bush-fire brigades have the electricity switched off to avoid electrocution problems with falling power lines etc) to hilltop towers that provided sophisticated SMS, FM radio, mobile phone, police, ambulance and fire brigade trunked radio communication networks. Management of the fire fighting and emergency response system stopped. The planned centralised co-ordination of emergency services response did not exist, because the control room in Melbourne had no communication with the resources on the ground. Residents who'd been advised to expect evacuation warnings via their mobile phone and FM radio systems did not get any warnings. It took eight days - when emergency response operations should be at their peak - to get minimal communications working again; despite the close proximity to Melbourne, with spare parts and competent technicians. The Country Fire Authority in Victoria is now fitting HF/SSB radios to vehicles and rural fire stations. A satellite based system was an alternate option, but was not chosen; the broadcast feature of HF/SSB radio is vital to quickly and simultaneously update all fire-fighters.

Unlike satellite and terrestrial communication systems: 

1. HF (SSB) radio does not require large power supplies (eg: on warships, cruise ships, cargo ships, or at telephone exchanges, hilltop communication towers, earth satellite comms stations etc), high vantage points (eg: a satellite in space, the top of a tall building, or a mountaintop tower) or a complex network of underground or suspended cables to function.  A 12v car battery - charged by either solar panels, a yacht or car alternator, or a portable generator - is sufficient electricity.

2. HF (SSB) radio can communicate over mountains and across oceans without satellites or other complex and easily damaged or disabled relay systems.

3. HF (SSB) radio does not require a dedicated communication link - eg: via an unbroken piece of wire or multiple satellite links - to talk or pass data.  Just a HF/SSB radio at each end of the communications.

4. HF (SSB) radio does not require large parabolic antennas (eg: inside the big domes on Volvo Ocean Race yachts - which occupies most of the space below deck, forward of the mast - and on navy vessels, cruise ships etc) with tracking and aiming technology and electric motors, to operate reliably and at fast speeds. For HF/SSB radio, a wire suspended from a tree, the backstay of a yacht or a whip antenna is sufficient.  Insulated lifelines or a length of 12v wiring can function as an emergency antenna. 

4. HF (SSB) radio allows each user to communicate directly to another user, without the need for interlinking cables, satellites, exchanges, network switching equipment, satellite earth stations and large amounts of electricity, to keep them functioning.  And without the associated call charges. It's for these reasons that:

• Military vehicles, planes, and infantry still use HF/SSB radio, even though they also have the money for other highly sophisticated - but fragile - systems.

• Commercial ships, are still required to fit HF/SSB radios, even though they are also required to fit satellite communication systems.

• Marine emergency/distress voice communication is still based on HF/SSB radio, not satellite communications.

• Shore based natural disaster communications systems and aid agencies have been re-discovering the significant operational advantages and capability of modern HF (SSB) radio systems. Communications without cost is a significant advantage.
   

5. HF (SSB) radio has a broadcast function which allows one speaker to be heard by many listeners. Normal satellite and terrestrial communications technology is designed around individual calls and private conversations between each pair of communicators; so fees can be charged. The free-to-air broadcast feature of HF/SSB radio has major benefits for marine communications and safe yacht operations. For example:

• A Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) can broadcast to request all vessels in the vicinity that can go to the aid of a vessel in a particular location to respond. They do not need to know the location of the potential rescue vessels beforehand, to select them for a direct phone or satellite call. Anyone in the area can listen to the broadcast HF (SSB) message and respond if they are nearby and able to assist.

• The MRCC can broadcast instructions to the assigned rescue vessel, and the stricken vessel's crew can hear it too; without the MRCC needing to separately call the yacht or other vessel (eg: on a mobile or sat phone).  

• A MRCC does not have to call one-by-one - using individual vessel satellite phone numbers - to ask the same questions, give instructions or update all the vessels, planes, helicopters, police launches, navy ships, fishing trawlers and yachts in the vicinity of the incident. All can hear the MRCC's information and instructions simultaneously.

• All yachts in a race or organised rally can listen to instructions from the event organisers simultaneously.  And they can all hear position reports, questions from other yachts, answers etc simultaneously; saving a lot of time and repetition. 

• A cruising yacht can participate in, or just listen to, a morning sked between yachts when weather information, updates about marina capacity/prices, anchorage details, the latest immigration/customs procedures and more, are broadcast and discussed.

• A yacht in unfamiliar territory can ask for advise - such as waypoints into an anchorage, or fuel availability - by broadcasting a question during a sked time. All listening yachts can hear the question and respond if they have the answers.

• Groups of yachts exploring a region or crossing an ocean can setup their own self-help skeds to swap information, provide advice and monitor each other's position and security.

6. HF (SSB) radio allows each vessel to play their role as a responsible mariner in the Maritime Safety Network.  Many vessel operators expect rescue services and mariners in other vessels to come to their assistance if they need help. But they often forget this willingness to help others is a maritime tradition/obligation that works to save lives because  everyone plays their part, including yachts and other small-craft. 

Your yacht or small-craft might be nearby and able to assist a fishing vessel, another yacht, or even a commercial vessel - and its crew or passengers - in a life-threatening situation.  But for the vessel/people in distress or the MRCC to make contact, your vessel needs a functional HF/SSB radio; preferably with DSC. 

Being accessible only by mobile or satellite phone ignores that responsibility to contribute to the marine community, and be part of the maritime safety network. Because other vessels and MRCCs will not know if you are in the area, will not know your cell-phone or satellite phone number and/or may not have the equipment or money to call you.

Communication at sea is not just about getting help from others, it's also about making yourself accessible so you can provide help to others in need. HF (SSB) radio make this possible.

Nevertheless, all systems have their limitations, and the prudent mariner will take this into consideration. For example, it's not practical to take the yacht's HF/SSB radio  (nor a high power satellite system's parabolic antenna and computer controlled tracking/aiming mechanism) into a liferaft .

A practical combination that addresses MRCC radio communication requirements, allows you to play your reciprocal role in maritime safety, provides free inter-boat communication, minimises regular communication costs, and works for most small-craft is:

1. An on-board HF (SSB) radio used as the principle communications device, with voice and email functions. Because it works well in that role, and because it's far cheaper to operate - for voice and email - than any satellite option.

With DSC function, because DSC allows you to initiate contact with most MRCCS, and it allows you to be easily contacted by MRCCs and/or other vessels in distress. If buying a new HF (SSB) radio, be sure to get one with DSC.

With radio email function, so you can manage your cruising life, maintain contact with people ashore, access important weather and safety related information,  and initiate contact with an MRCC; if you do not have DSC functionality in your radio. 

The cost of a HF (SSB) radio email modem is a relatively minor addition for an extremely substantial gain that will pay for itself with operational savings within the first year. HF/SSB radio email is much cheaper to own and operate than satellite email alternatives.

2. A hand held satellite phone carried as a battery powered backup to the HF/SSB radio for voice and email because:

• It can be used to phone an MRCC to initiate contact in a distress situation if your HF/SSB radio does not yet have DSC alert functionality. Once the MRCC is alerted, switch to the HF/SSB radio for managing the situation, and simultaneously communicating with ships, aircraft etc which the MRCC assigns to assist you.

• It can be taken into the liferaft (with lots of spare batteries) to maintain limited communication with most MRCC's.  A hand-held VHF marine radio (with spare batteries) should also go into the liferaft; for short-range (ie: in-vew) communication with search aircraft, nearby rescue ships etc.

• It can work as a substitute carrier for email and voice if the vessel's batteries or power system or HF/SSB radio are damaged.  It can substitute for some functions of the HF/SSB radio, although at a much higher operating cost.
  (Some satellite phones can be connected to the same on-board notebook running the SailMail  -on-board HF/SSB radio email -software to utilise the existing address book and email store to send/receive emails. With the additional benefit of SailMail's smart compression and message management to speed transmissions, reduce connection time and therefore save money.)

• It can be used to make occasional (expensive) calls for family and business. 

If you are buying a new or replacement HF/SSB radio for your yacht or other small-craft:

1. Buy a reliable marine radio with DSC and email capability. For example, the ICOM M802(DSC) or ICOM M801E (or A). It's cheaper, one-off, insurance, that will save you lots of money compared to alternative (eg: satellite based), cruising/boating communications.  And it links you into the Maritime Distress communications system, with all it's advantages for you and your fellow mariners.

2. Use the same purchase philosophy most of us would normally apply to buying a new PC or notebook; get the latest technology so it stays relevant and functional for as long as possible, and gives efficient access to the best available modern services. Therefore, buy the type approved marine radio with DSC. 

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Brunei Bay Radio 
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