Which Marine Radar is compatible with my…. fill in the blank?
Many of my discussions with customers come around to discussing marine navigation and electronics since these are linked in some ways to communications projects. And one of the common questions is what sort of radar they should get that will work with their...
Can I use Starlink on my Boat?
Short Answer is: Not Yet! But let's talk about what it will take to get there and when you might expect it to be available. Full disclosure: Sea-Tech Systems is a satellite services provider, we also have Starlink in use at our home office and are testing it, We have...
Shortening Antenna Cables in your Sea-Tech Systems Kit
Several of our Sea-Tech SSB, WiFi, cellular, and satellite communications kits come with pre-made antenna cables, with lengths sometimes selectable during ordering. However, Sea-Tech knows that estimating cable lengths is difficult in a boat and most often our...
How do I get high-speed Internet on my boat like s/v Delos?
(note: this article was updated for 2021 on 01 Mar 2021) If you are a subscriber of Sailing SV Delos YouTube channel you may have seen their recent episode showing their new high-speed satellite Internet installation. In the video, Delos crew are joined by a team...
Don’t Wait To Retire To Go Cruising: How To Make Money While Cruising By Taking Your Business With You
This post is for anyone dreaming of going cruising before they retire. How can I make money while cruising? Do I have to leave my job? Can’t I have my cake and eat it, too? The short answer is: Yes, you can. You can totally make money...
9 Ways To Save Money On Cellular and Satellite Internet
If you are traveling and relying on cellular and/or satellite based Internet for your communications needs, there are a several easy things you can do to reduce how much data your devices use on a day-to-day basis. If you implement the following changes, you can...
What Cellular Devices Are Available For My Boat?
This question is often asked on forums, especially now that the formerly cruiser-approved Wirie Pro is no longer available, is what is available to enhance or leverage cellular for Internet access on a boat rather than marina WiFi. Since cellular coverage is...
Choosing a VHF DSC Radio and AIS Transponder Combination That Works
A question that comes up often by customers and in online forums is how to properly integrate an AIS Transponder with a VHF Radio that supports DSC calling, and may or may not also have an AIS receiver built-in. How do you make sure you can use features like DSC...
Sending a Free SMS to a Satellite Phone From The Web
Looking for a quick and easy way to send a message to your family member or friend's satellite phone using your computer? Sending an SMS message is easy and free! Just follow the links below for the specific satellite network you are sending to and fill out the...
Move Your Business Aboard – A Mentoring Service
Are you a business owner / entrepreneur dreaming of cutting ties with land and sailing the seas aboard your own yacht? Or traveling the world on land by RV perhaps? Is the operation of your business the only thing keeping your feet planted where they are? We are...
Moving Your Business Aboard at Annapolis Cruisers U – April 25, 2019
Announcement! Sea-Tech Systems owners and fellow cruisers Richard and Devon Anderson will be teaching their new course Moving Your Business Aboard at Cruisers University this spring in Annapolis. If you are interested, will be in the area, or are attending the...
HF/SSB WeatherFax Reception Using Your Smartphone Or Tablet
Do you have an HF SSB or Amateur radio on your boat, or thinking of getting one? Do you want to know how to receive free NOAA Weatherfax images using your iPhone or iPad? If so, Read on! Weatherfax is an invaluable source of weather condition...
New Firmware Update Available for SPOTX
Globalstar/SPOTX has released a new firmware update for their SPOTX two-way messenger. It's not required but definitely recommended to upgrade when you have the time. This October 15th, 2018 update contains the following: Improvements New Main Menu Layout Added a...
Using your Iridium Go! Satellite Phone
After activation, and receiving your satellite phone number from your provider, you can use your Iridium Go! satellite hotspot to make and receive calls and text messages. First, Download the Iridium Go! and Iridium Mail and Web Apps to your smartphone or tablet. ...
Using your Iridium 9555 or 9575 Satellite Phone
After activation, and receiving your satellite phone number from your provider, you can use your Iridium 95xx satellite phone to make and receive calls and text messages. Placing a call from an Iridium Handset: Calling a North America number Take the phone outside to...
Long-Range Cellular For Boats – What Features Are Important
In an upcoming post, I will attempt to present the options that I am aware of on the market that provide Long-Range Cellular and WiFi connectivity for boaters. But first, I’d like to detail some of the features that I believe are important in such a solution, features...
When WiFi Isn’t Enough: Cellular Internet Options For Your Boat
WiFi extenders are common upgrades for cruising boats. They improve the connection to shore-based WiFi networks while a boat is in port. There are several WiFi extenders on the market that vary from a DIY approach to a fully plug-and-play solution. Popular DIY...
Posting to Facebook via Satellite is.. Dead, Broken, Kaput!
As of August 1st, 2018 Facebook implemented new changes to their API to limit ability for 3rd party applications to post to Facebook walls and pages. As a result, posting to your wall or page from Globalstar SPOT and SPOTX, Garmin InReach, Iridium Go!, and Xgate Mail...
How To Post To Facebook With Your Iridium GO!
UPDATE 8/3/18: Facebook changed their API and 3rd party app rules as of 8/1 which broke Facebook posting from many apps including InReach, Xgate, and Iridium GO! For now it is unlikely you will get this to work. For more information see this other post on the...
Do I Really Need An HF SSB Radio?
By Steven Bowden, former owner of SeaTech Systems. Every day in my former business I answered the same question: Do I really need a High Frequency (HF) Single Sideband (SSB) radio for long range cruising? Why not just use a satellite phone or satellite...
Marine WiFi Extenders We Recommend And The Ubiquitous One We Don’t
The Ubiquiti Bullet with an external antenna is a popular marine wifi extender solution for cruisers trying to stay connected to the Internet from their boat. Cruisers like it because it’s inexpensive, and it works for some. In fact, on S/V Mobert, we used one for...
WiFi Extenders and their Antennas….
Over the last couple days, I’ve been helping a fellow cruiser in Mexico with his WiFi extender setup. On advice from another cruiser, he bought a Ubiquiti Bullet M2HP for his wifi extender, and a TP-Link 15dBi omni-directional antenna. Together, he used these to...
SSB Net Schedule
Last updated May 2, 2018. Want us to add or correct any information? Email us! Net Time (UTC) Primary Coverage Season Days Frequency Happy Hour 0000 Mexico Year-Round Daily 3.968 Mhz Bluewater 0200 Pacific Year-Round Daily 6.516 Mhz Southbound 0200 Pacific...
How To Get Login Codes Without Cell Service
Our banks, our social media, and even our blogs are increasingly requiring a special code - called two-factor authorization - to log in. Usually, they'll send this code via a text to our cell phone. But what happens when a cruiser doesn't have a cell signal, and...
Staying Connected While Cruising – Workarounds and Secret Tricks
Okay, so we’ve covered our experience so far, and some major tips on how to limit usage in the first place. But of course if you are trying to stay in touch with friends and family, managing a blog and/or Facebook page, or trying to maintain a Vlog on YouTube (good...
Visit SeaTech Systems in Booth I-12 at the 2018 Pacific Sail and Power Boat Show!
SeaTech Systems will be onsite exhibiting at the 2018 Pacific Sail and Power Boat Show in Richmond, CA. Come visit us in Booth I-12 for special boat show discounts on communications packages for cruising boats. Owners Richard Anderson and Devon Thurtle Anderson,...
Richard Anderson Presents Communications For Cruisers at Pacific Sail!
Richard Anderson is speaking at the 2018 Pacific Sail and Power Boat show in Richmond, CA. Come to the Craneway Seminar Pavilion at 3:30pm on Saturday April 21st, 2017. Attendees will participate in a discussion of the “patchwork quilt” concept of using different...
Staying Connected While Cruising – Mexico Challenges Tips and Tricks
In the last Staying Connected While Cruising post, I shared the details of our mobile phone plans and the differences between the two carriers as we traveled from Washington up through British Columbia, into Alaska, then down the Pacific Coast to California. This...
Richard Anderson Presents Communications for Cruisers for the World Cruising Club in Annapolis!
Richard Anderson is speaking at the 2018 World Cruising Club training series in Annapolis, MD, March 24-25th, 2018. Richard will focus on the communications options available (including new products) for cruising boats and the way that cruisers actually use...
Staying Connected While Cruising – West Coast US and Canada Cell Coverage
So we’ve been cruising up and down the West Coast from as far north as Juneau, AK to as far south as Cabo San Lucas, MX over the past 6+ months and we’ve been using our cellular phones for Internet access heavily (more than WiFi due to availability, and of course more...