Category: Communications

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Putting Panboat 2.0 to work with test gear from Epoch, Icom, Lenco, Scanstrut, Sensar, Tocaro Blue, and Victron

I have owned Panboat 2.0 for a little over 3 months. Unfortunately, I haven’t made as much testing headway as I hoped courtesy of a very busy fall with boat shows, speaking engagements, and dodging hurricanes. I leave for Amsterdam to attend METS shortly, but once home, I don’t have another show until Miami in mid-February. So, it’s high time I get to work outfitting the new Edgewater 280CX with the goodies needed for testing and begin rolling in some new technology.

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Garmin introduces inReach Messenger Plus SOS satellite communicator with photo and voice messaging

Garmin today announced the inReach Messenger Plus, its first satellite communicator with photo and voice messaging in addition to global two-way texting, location sharing and SOS capabilities. Lauded for a durable and temperature-resistant design, Garmin inReach devices are built for those that explore beyond cell coverage – on land, in the sky or on the water. With a battery life that can last for weeks…

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A new Panbo test boat, more space for more stuff

A lot has changed since early 2020 when I took delivery of my first, outboard powered, small test boat. Since then, the world experienced a global pandemic, Hurricane Ian devastated Fort Myers and surrounding areas, and we lost Have Another Day. Also, though less dramatic, I found my testing shifted towards the small boat and away from testing on a 57-footer. At the same time, after four years of installing equipment on her, Panbo(at) was beginning to look like the proverbial five pound bag stuffed with ten (or more) pounds of… stuff. So, I did the only logical thing and bought a bigger bag!

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Starlink spring 2024, making sense of continued changes

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted a Starlink update. Frankly, that’s because things have (mostly) been humming along pretty well with a relative minimum of changes. While there have been developments, including new hardware, none of them called to me for an update. Until last week. That’s when subscribers to Starlink’s Mobility – Global package received an email notifying them their monthly charges would double. So, now seems like a good time to dive back in and take a look at the state of affairs at SpaceX and Starlink.

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Inmarsat launches NexusWave: game-changing ‘bonded’ maritime communications

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has launched NexusWave, a fully managed connectivity service underpinned by a ‘bonded’ multi-dimensional network, offering high-speed connectivity, unlimited data, global coverage, and ‘secure by design’ infrastructure. Delivered by a single provider, NexusWave is a fully managed service that seamlessly integrates multiple high-speed networks in real time – Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band, low-Earth orbit (LEO) services, and as-available coastal LTE service – with an additional layer of L-band for resiliency – for fast, always-on connectivity…

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Digital Yacht 5G Xtream brings ultrafast internet on board and with Starlink connectivity too

For boat owners looking for ultra-fast internet on board, the new 5G Xtream from Digital Yacht offers 4G and 5G connectivity as well as integration with Starlink satellite systems for the best and affordable blended internet afloat. The 5G Xtream can support 5G (shoreside) connection speeds up to 3.1GBs but also integrates a 4G Cat 20 modem which offers…

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e3 Systems launches eHUB, a unique connectivity management solution for large yachts

The eHUB solution is considerably more than another traffic routing box. It does manage all the new LEO connections as well as all the vessel’s existing connections. It also enables traffic routing from WANs to VLANs, as do most other traffic routing boxes. However, the eHUB does so much more, and it´s driven from a simple user interface with beautiful and detailed graphics enabling it to be used and understood by everyone from ETO  to owner…

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KVH Enhances Maritime Hybrid Communication Solutions with Starlink

Today, KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), announced that it is adding Starlink to its service portfolio. KVH will sell Starlink on its own and also as a KVH ONE global network companion service. KVH, a leading provider of intelligent hybrid connectivity for maritime applications, will serve as an authorized Starlink reseller and integrator for commercial and leisure vessels…

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Icom’s New M510BB and M410BB Black Box VHF Marine Radios

Introducing Icom’s newest black box VHF marine radios, the M510BB and M410BB. Say goodbye to cluttered helm space and hello to flexible and seamless operation wherever you need it on board. The M510BB and M410BB are ideal space-saving solutions for vessels requiring multiple communication points. The M510BB allows up to three CommandMic stations, and the M410BB, up to two…