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In previous years, Forbidden Planet's crew has relied solely on VHF for communications, supplemented by a cell phone. Not an option in Cuba. So Sailorgirl has spent hours trying to figure out what the next step should be. For financial reasons, a full single sideband radio is not in the picture this year. Not to mention the fact that we don't know how to use it and don't have a license. It's a jungle out there trying to sift through the information.
After extensive research, Forbidden Planet will have the following on board:
- a VHF
- a handhelf VHF
- a single sideband receiver
- a laptop hooked up to the single sideband receiver to receive weather fax
Cell phones don't work in Cuba. You can get a phone through Cubacel, but it is muy muy caro (expensive). If you're there for a while, you might want to check it out. The whole Globalstar/Inmarsat issue (satellite communications) are another story. We haven't gone there yet. Next year. According to Globalstar's website, they don't service Cuba.
The first thing to read when trying to figure all this stuff out is Bill Dietrich's Radio page. An excellent place to begin. He covers everything from ham, to analog cell phones. Then move on to the following list.
Sue
and Larry's "Communications From On Board"
BoatU.S.'s "VHF Radios:
Why You Need One" (surveys many types of radio)
Jim
Sexton's "Frequently Asked [Marine] SSB / Ham Questions"
Jim
Sexton's "Marine Radios Overview"
SailNet's
"HF Radio Buying Guide"
Jim and Diane's
"Electronics and Communications"
Kathy
Barron's "High-Frequency Radio Basics"
