Are SSB radios still used?

As satellite communication equipment becomes more reasonably priced, more reliable, and more compact, we often hear sailors raise the question, Are single-sideband radios even relevant anymore? As Lanier points out, the question is easy to answer: Yes, absolutely.

Is Marine SSB still used?

Despite several advances in offshore voice communications such as satphones, marine single sideband (SSB) isn't going away anytime soon. That's because SSB, unlike satphones, allows an unlimited number of people to listen to a transmission at the same time.

Are SSB radios worth it?

Most people can skip the more expensive SSB, but the extra money is worth it if you want more serious SHTF scenarios covered and/or expect to get involved in ham. There's no way to plug in an external antenna, but it does include a reel antenna that clips onto the built-in antenna, improving shortwave reception.

Who uses SSB radio?

SSB (Single Sideband) is an obscure but very important way to communicate via radio. It is used primarily for two-way voice communication by ham radio operators, aircraft and air traffic control (ATC), ships at sea, military and spy networks. Occasionally some shortwave broadcast stations use this format.

Do you need a license for single sideband radio?

Unlike VHF, you need a license to operate an SSB—two, actually. The Ship Station license allows you to carry the SSB on your boat, while the Restricted Radio Operator permit allows you to use the equipment. No tests are involved.

Why You Should Invest Or Upgrade To A SSB CB Radio

How far can a SSB radio transmit?

SSB (Single Sideband) radio has a much greater range than a VHF (Very High Frequency) radio's typical 35 to 50 nautical miles. Medium Frequency (MF) SSB radio has a range of around 400 nautical miles, but High Frequency (HF) will reach out for several thousand.

Is ham radio the same as SSB?

Hams use the same type of SSB but on ham frequencies. The Coast Guard uses SSB, mostly on marine channels, but in an emergency they can also call out to all ham radio operators on ham frequencies.

What is the main disadvantage of SSB?

Disadvantages of SSB-SC Modulation

The SSB transmitter and receiver need to have an excellent frequency stability . A slight change in frequency will hamper the quality of transmitted and received signal . Therefore, SSB is not generally used for the transmission of good quality music.

Is CB Channel 9 still monitored?

"We do not routinely monitor Channel 9," he added.

How can I listen to SSB?

Tune between 7125-7300 KHz until you hear a modestly strong distorted voice. Now press the SSB key and let the SSB circuit download. Then press the Fine Tune Key (both key lights be on) and turn the tuning knob up and down until the voice becomes legible.

Do people still broadcast on shortwave?

At the moment the major shortwave broadcasters are BBC, Voice of America, All India Radio, China Radio International, Radio Japan, Radio Romania, KBS Korea and Voice of Turkey and many more.

Do ships still use HF radio?

Further, the use of HF radiotelephone has been largely replaced by HF DSC, VHF radiotelephone (and DSC) services and wider availability of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) satellite systems (including EPIRBs, Inmarsat and Iridium GMDSS systems).

Is it worth buying a shortwave radio?

If you want a complete shortwave experience so you are able to listen to amateur broadcasters and communications from all around the world, it's worth the cost. Overall convenience. Other than the more technical stuff, you should consider features that make a radio fit your specific needs or interests.

Can a ham radio talk to a marine radio?

Some radios, such as the legacy Kenwood TS-50, need to be modified to use upper sideband on 40 meters. The FCC forbids ham sets from transmitting on marine SSB frequencies, but this is standard procedure among cruising hams.

In what frequency range SSB is normally used?

With SSB, channels could be spaced (usually) only 4,000 Hz apart, while offering a speech bandwidth of nominally 300 Hz to 3,400 Hz.

Will CB radio make a comeback?

Many thought citizens band radios would disappear after the 1970s, along with pet rocks and disco. But not only are they still around, they are making a comeback. CB radio sales have increased steadily during the last three years, a trend not seen since the 1970s.

Do truckers still use CB radios 2021?

For the most part, CB radios remain in use because they are the norm for truckers who have been working in the industry for the last 10 or 20+ years. While some truckers have resorted to using trucking apps on smartphones to communicate, more advanced radio systems offer a more ideal route.

Do truckers use ham radios?

CB or Not CB

Truckers have long been associated with Citizens Band (CB) radio. A section of the 11-meter amateur radio band was set aside by the FCC in 1958 as a poor man's business radio band, and by the 1970s CB rigs were in every truck.

Why SSB is not used in broadcasting?

When carrier is shifted to bandpass, this one sided bandwidth becomes 9 MHz. This is nearly ten times as large as the total bandwidth occupied by all the channels of the AM radio. Use of SSB modulation would cut this in half but SSB is not used for video signals because of the complexity of the SSB receivers.

Which is better DSB or SSB?

We can see that the SSB transmission does not suffer from the effect of power fading induced by fiber dispersion, while the DSB has a high tolerance to power fading, due to the low frequency of RF carrier [8] . The DSB has a better performance than SSB under short distance because of double sideband. ...

In which situation SSB modulation is used?

Single sideband, SSB, modulation is used in many voice applications. It is used for HF communications, but forms have been used for analogue TV broadcasting. Single sideband modulation is widely used in the HF portion, or short wave portion of the radio spectrum for two way radio communication.

Is SSB better than AM?

An SSB radio transmitter suppresses the carrier and one of the redundant sidebands, and thus transmits the operator's voice in less than half the bandwidth of an AM signal, and with much more efficient use of energy.

What is the longest range CB radio?

Best Long Range CB - The Cobra 148 GTL

While most CB radios broadcast at 4 watts of power, SSB equipped radios can legally broadcast at 12 watts - effectively tripling the distance you can broadcast.

Which CB antenna has longest range?

The type of antennas with the greatest range are the stainless steel 102" whip antennas, which may not be practical for parking in garages, under trees, and so forth. The single center load antenna also has about the same transmit and receive range as the whip.

What is the longest CB antenna?

The 'Red Devil' is the longest Thunderpole base loaded mobile antenna. Its long coil and wide-band coverage make this a good choice for any serious mobile CB'er.