Modems

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Email via HF SSB radio and SCS Pactor modems

An SSB shortwave radio email system offers a low cost alternative to mobile and satellite phone systems and offers near global coverage.

The upfront purchase price for your radio based email system is modest and more importantly the ongoing costs (relative to satellite) is low. The Sailmail email network (the system most commonly used by mariners) currently costs a flat  US$250 per annum (no more to pay) whilst the ham based winmail system is free. Compare this to the ongoing cost of mobile /satellite based systems where there are high ongoing line-time or number of bits transfer charges.

To use SSB Email you require an Icom branded SSB radio system, an SCS pactor modem and a laptop running MS Windows XP, Vista or 7. We provide the cabling for a self install which takes approximately 15 minutes using our step by step Quick Install Guide for your specific radio model.

Once installed,  the process of sending and receiving emails is basically the same as your home based email.

The purchasing choice for mariners is straight forward:

If you have a very old lap-top with no USB ports and are using an old or non Icom branded radio without computer interconnectivity then the Economical PTC-II EX modem package is probably the best choice. (NB complex to set-up and only recommended for computer savvy users on a budget) (the PTC-II ex modem has now been discontinued and limited "run-out stock is available)

If you desire a mid priced system,  ease of connectivity / operation, and moderate data transmission speeds (pactor 3) then the Pactor 3 PTC-III USB modem is the recommended choice.

If you are looking for the fastest data transmission speed then pactor 4 technology is the only way to go. The Pactor 4 DR-7400 USB modem is 1.5 to 3X  faster than pactor 3 and offers the same ease of connectivity and operation as the mid price SCS PTC-III USB modem described above.

Finally the Pactor 4 PR-7800 modem is ideal for data transmission enthusiasts who require the ability to connect multiple radios or network a chain of modems and is thus the unit of choice for establishing a land based email (data) processing radio station capability.

 

Status	Image	Name	Price
		SCS TRACKER / DSP TNC (Not for Email)
		The “Tracker/DSP TNC” has been designed by SCS for custom applications of transferring GPS positions and ot… BRAND NEW - MUST BE PRE-ORDERED, 7-14 DAYS UNTIL DISPATCH BY US	$399.00	Buy Now More Info
		PACTOR-3 PTC-III USB MODEM MID SPEED FOR EMAIL VIA MARINE SAILMAIL AND HAM WINMAIL NETWORKS (includes optional bluetooth module)
		Send and receive email via your HF SSB radio. Receive weather data via GRIB or fax files. Plot your vessel locat… THIS IS A BRAND NEW ITEM AND IS CURRENTLY IN STOCK	$1549.00	Buy Now More Info
		PACTOR-4 SCS DR-7400 PACTOR 4 MODEM (New Release) FASTEST SYSTEM FOR EMAIL VIA MARINE SAILMAIL AND HAM WINMAIL NETWORKS (includes optional bluetooth module)
		Send and receive email via your HF SSB radio. Receive weather data via GRIB or fax files. Plot your vessel locat… THIS IS A BRAND NEW ITEM AND IS CURRENTLY IN STOCK	$1999.00	Buy Now More Info
		PACTOR-4 SCS DRAGON DR-7800 PACTOR 4 MODEM (PREFERRED OPTION FOR LAND BASED EMAIL RECEIVING STATIONS REQUIRING NETWORKING CONNECTIVITY FOR A MARINE SAILMAIL AND HAM WINMAIL SYSTEM)
		The Pactor PR-7800 "Dragon" is recommended for radio data enthusiasts wishing to establish their own land base… BRAND NEW - MUST BE PRE-ORDERED, 7-14 DAYS UNTIL DISPATCH BY US	$2399.00	Buy Now More Info

Stock status legend:

	This item is in stock and can be dispatched immediately.
	In transit(7 days until dispatch by us).
	Pre-order 7-14 days until dispatch by us.
	Pre-order 3-4 weeks until dispatch by us.
	Out of stock - 30+ day dispatch by us
	New Release - Release Date Unknown