On-board comms

I’ve been looking at solutions for Xena’s on-board communications and have come down a short-list of two [three if you include KVH150):
Thrane & Thrane Sailor 150 Fleetbroadband, here. 

Satellite Communicator from PredictWind.com, here.  
Postscript (2/3/11): there's another one similar to Thrane's Sailor, called KVH 150, here.

Pros and Cons:

	Thrane Sailor	Satellite Communicator
Pros	Email Internet Wired IP handset (phone) Iridium Satellite for worldwide coverage	Email Weather routing Cheaper cost and running Low power consumption Small antenna Installation costs lower Iridium Satellite for worldwide coverage
Cons	4 times initial cost Higher running costs (up to 10 times) Needs transom-mounted dome:  antenna and pole	No Internet No Phone

Red Kite II has just put in an order to Satellite Communicator.

Any comments to Peter at this address: fu.saisee@gmail.com