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Is SSB  radio of any value in today's digital age?
asks Glen Doyon of Philadelphia.
SSB radio is still of enormous value for the offshore sailor.  The ability to communicate with other vessels in the extended area is a feature that is not offered by any satellite service. Likewise the ability to join in weather nets while at sea is not available in any other way.

The airwaves are free and although setting up an effective SSB station involves some considerable effort and expense there are no usage charges to pay once you are up and running.  SSB can provide voice and text weather forecasts as well as fax graphics. This feature has become particularly easy when the SSB set is combined with a laptop computer.  It is also possible to send and receive E mail by SSB.

For more details check out the following:

Marine SSB simplified.  A free on-line guide by ICOM in 16 parts with an introduction by Gordon West. 

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