We think SSB-radios still add a lot. Not only can you receive valuable information out there from "weathergurus" and fellow cruisers but it´s also fun to stay tuned with other cruisers across oceans. There are still several acive pan Atlantic nets that are both fun and valuable to participate in, The problem for us is that our Icom M-802 SSB radio receives but has never been able to transmit. I have had both control unit and transceiver with Swedish Icom who found nothing wrong. Thinking it could be the antenna tuner (AT-140) or grounding we contacted RadioPesca here in Las Palmas who are well known experts among all rallies passing here.

They sent a trouble shooter who spent an hour finding nothing wrong with antenna,tuner or grounding. When measuring the transceiver he found a malfunctioning amplifier not managing to amplify transmission enough to open the tuner.To repair or find a spare in Las Palmas was not possible but there seems to be a reasonable second hand market on ebay so we will see if we find one.

In the meantime I collected our mainsail which had been for repair and service (the headsail was serviced in Cartagena some years ago)