Sat Phones

[grey_ghost]

Hi All,

I am thinking of buying a Sat Phone - for the next Outback trip, and others in the future. I don't have an unlimited budget, and realise that I have to buy the phone AND pay a subscription fee for the service.

Can anybody recommend a Sat Phone that they have bought, used and liked?

The only purpose for the phone is for emergencies - I don't want to hot-spot to it off a laptop or browse the internet.

It's only real purpose is to take on outback trips, to call a mechanic, order parts (heaven forbid), emergency services, etc.

Cheers,
GG.

[Red90]

Why not get a two way satellite messenger instead? They are a lot cheaper.

[goingbush]

I have some slightly used satphones, there just sitting in the garage gathering dust. Each only ever used to make test calls but some scuffing from poor storage,
One is an Inmarsat isatphone which is expensive to buy a sim card for , and one is a Iridium which you can insert a Telstra postpaid sim from your regular mobile , Wont work with a telstra prepaid sim.

I chucked a hisseyfit with Telstra & cancelled all my services & forgot that I used my mobile sim in my Iridium, Snookered myself.

So now I use a Thruaya, I'll be switching to Starlink when they are fully deployed.

If your interested in either let me know. I think I also have external antennas for one or both .

[oldyella 76]

What model iridium and what $.
lindsay

[Tins]

I'll be switching to Starlink when they are fully deployed.



Very interested in Starlink, but I haven't seen any mobile modelling yet. If they do that it's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned.

I asked my ISP about sat internet for travellers via the NBN. "Oh, no, we will not be doing that". Dinosaurs.

[goingbush]

What model iridium and what $.
lindsay

9555 GG has first dibs

[goingbush]

Very interested in Starlink, but I haven't seen any mobile modelling yet. If they do that it's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned.

I asked my ISP about sat internet for travellers via the NBN. "Oh, no, we will not be doing that". Dinosaurs.

my idea is to put the receive station on the truck or van roof. then its can serve me wherever I am, via wifi router .
Mate of mine is doing a world tour, he has just ordered one as he has been stuck in Canada the last 12 months due to covid lockdown , he is putting on his truck roof, will see how that goes.

[Tins]

my idea is to put the receive station on the truck or van roof. then its can serve me wherever I am, via wifi router .

That was my idea as well, but will StarLink support it? I can't see why not, but I'm not a businessman's backside.


Mate of mine is doing a world tour, he has just ordered one as he has been stuck in Canada the last 12 months due to covid lockdown , he is putting on his truck roof, will see how that goes.

Can you keep info coming as available? Not wanting to put pressure or anything. Maybe a new thread would work. Seriously interested in this.

[John_D4]

That was my idea as well, but will StarLink support it? I can't see why not, but I'm not a businessman's backside.



Can you keep info coming as available? Not wanting to put pressure or anything. Maybe a new thread would work. Seriously interested in this.

GoingBush - I’d be interested in one of your sat phone too

[RSW Vogue 2004]

Try looking up Zoleo through Skippers Mate in Qld. He is the cheapest I found and very helpful.
This is what you need
Cheers

[1984V8110]

I use an Inmarsat phone and buy credit for a pre-paid SIM. Works well - Arguably Inmarsat works best closer to the equator as the Inmarsat satellites are geostationary over the equator. That said it worked well in SW Tas recently, you just need to see the sky to the North. Plus Inmarsat are used by mariners all over the world AFAIK, so unless you plan to visit polar regions I'd expect good coverage with these phones.

From my reading Inmarsat and Iridium are the most reliable reception-wise of the four options I looked at.

Like everyone else I only carry the phone for emergency use and occasional texts when out of mobile range for extended periods (such as a recent 7 day bushwalk).

Michael

[ian4002000]

I have a Thuraya XT lite for sale cheap if anyone needs a Sat Phone.

It has a Pivotel sim card which are very reasonable to own and use. Incoming calls and texts are free which is a great bonus.

Like most Satphones it is directional but when connected to a roof aerial the coverage is much improved and very reliable.

Ian
Bittern