Only larger yachts and ships had the antenna space and available power to maintain constant communication with land-based resources for many years. The large Inmarsat satellite domes seen on megayachts were often the envy of smaller vessels, permitting services from telephone to television, and later, internet access.
With the advent of the Iridium constellation launch in 1998 to the emergence of Starlink (first launched in 2015 and open to the public in 2020) and their competitors Oneweb, Vissat, Telesat, SES SA, and others, we have seen a rush to bring affordable satellite communications to the masses, including those making open ocean passages. Professional captain, radio operator, and marine technician Scott Berg will review the current options for installed and portable systems, their capabilities and costs, and discuss how they fit into your cruising plans, as well as look into his crystal ball for what is likely to come next.
