What is a SSB radio?

So what is SSB Marine Radio? SSB Radio or Single Side Band Radio is a way of communicating over very large distances without the need for subscription or ongoing costs and tariffs. SSB is basically a 'mode' like FM or AM.

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.

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 SSB radio necessary?

Everything you need to know about SSB marine radio. For many who sail around the world, a short-wave radio system is a must-have on board, as an SSB marine radio system can be used for very long distances.

What is the difference between SSB and FM?

Firstly, FM is a constant-envelope modulation, meaning the amplitude is constant. SSB, being a kind of amplitude modulation, obviously does not have a constant amplitude. Consequently, FM can employ a non-linear amplifier which is more power efficient, and thus has a longer battery life in mobile operation.

Ham Radio Basics--What is SSB and How to Tune in SSB

What is the main benefit of SSB?

The advantage of SSB is its narrow bandwidth and higher power efficiency than the other voice modes. The Other Options: The wide bandwidth of FM provides a higher fidelity, while the fidelity of SSB suffers with narrower bandwidth, so option 'A' is out.

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.

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.

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.

Is SSB the same as ham radio?

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 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.

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.

What is the difference between VHF and SSB?

While nearly all boats carry a VHF, its maximum range isn't more than about 25 miles. This is because VHF radio waves travel in a straight line or line of sight. In contrast, waves from marine single-sideband (SSB) radios travel up to the F layer of the ionosphere, 75 to about 250 miles above the Earth.

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.

Can I use a marine VHF radio on land?

Marine VHF radios, whether fixed or handheld, may not be used on land, period. It's the law. Once a VHF radio goes ashore, it cannot be used for marine band transmission (without a Coast Station License).

What is marine SSB?

“SSB” is short for Single SideBand radio, also known as a High Frequency (HF) radio, or in old maritime thrillers as a “shortwave.” It's a radio which broadcasts and receives on a much wider and lower range of frequencies than your VHF radio.

Can a ham radio be used as a marine VHF?

“On marine band, it is considered a Part 80 marine radio. On ham bands, this same radio will be a ham radio, without internal modifications that would harm marine bands. “On marine channels, you use your ship's call letters, and on ham channels, you use your ham radio personal call letters.

What is the difference between SSB and CB?

A CB radio does not require a license to operate. CB service operates on 40 shared channels in an AM mode or Single SideBand (SSB) mode. SSB offers less noise and greater range than AM mode and is usually found on higher end CB radios. SSB has two modes, Upper Sideband and Lower Sideband.

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 shortwave AM or SSB?

It is a compromise between AM and SSB, enabling simple receivers to be used, but requires almost as much transmitter power as AM. Its main advantage is that only half the bandwidth of an AM signal is used.

What frequencies are SSB?

A marine SSB system operates on marine radio spectrums called shortwave, medium frequency and high frequency — 2 MHz-26 MHz. This radio spectrum is shared with hundreds of other radio users including shortwave broadcasts, Ham radio, FEMA, the American Red Cross, and long-range aircraft.

What's the difference between a ham radio and a marine radio?

Ham radio has a much wider range of frequencies, some of which overlap those in marine SSB There are also more transmission methods that can be used such as amplitude modulation and frequency modulation. Hams can also transmit using single-sideband, which is really just a modified form of AM.