Thread: Sat phone reception?

Head on over to Exploroz & have a search. Plenty of opinions about which one doesn't work there.

Regards
Max P

FYI, Globalstar have been bought/merged by Iridium, now called Pivotel. They are doing a trade up offer at the moment, we have sent two phones off for a trade up. We already have 1 Iridium and they are heaps better than the Globalstar. Globalstar US are putting more satellites in the sky this year and they are predicting better service. Go to the Pivotel website for more details. Pivotel - Australia's leading mobile satellite voice and data provider

Iridium is the only reliable option at this moment. The other systems are too unreliable - insufficient sats.

The Iridium phones are more robust than the others, some of which have a reputation for falling apart on outback roads.

The Iridium phone is compatible with nextG sim cards, so instead of having a second phone plan to use an Iridium phone for occasional trips, swap the nextG sim card (need to have global roaming activated - no charge) into the Iridium. Calls will be charged to you mobile account at a higher rate, but it is a substantial saving in the long run if you only use the sat phone occasionally.

My Nera unit is on a "Pay-as-you-go" type tariff... $1.75 per minute. I've never had any problems with coverage but the hardware can be expensive.

Brendan, I'd suggest you get your mobile unlocked and buy yourself a SIM when you get to Oz. Also, get yourself a UHF rig when you arrive and look at an Iridium phone for emergencies.

HTH

M

Originally Posted by leeds

Talking of sat phones, what sat phone set up would people actually recommend for use in the outback.

Will be travelling in the outback for about 6 months and want it primarily for emergency use and the occassional call back to the UK

Sorry if this is considered to be hijacking

Regards


Brendan

Any hand held sat phone will not be as good as properly mounted unit with external antennae. Just remember all comms have their limitations so have a good itinerary and responsible person for back up.

Hiring a Satphone or HF radio is usually the cheapest and easiest option but remember, if it is hand held the best reception will come outside the vehicle and use the roof as ground plane.

EPIRBs regardless of frequency 121.5, 243 or 406 are invaluable for emergency and the statements from some who claim cloudy sky affects them are simply wrong.
If you are really in trouble these are the go and IMHO should be part of your kit equal to first aid and water.

Many road houses hire them out now and since many folk return from the remote part of the tour via the same place , this may be an option for you as your hire period could only be few days instead of weeks from a capitol city

Cheers.

Originally Posted by Bush65

The Iridium phone is compatible with nextG sim cards, so instead of having a second phone plan to use an Iridium phone for occasional trips, swap the nextG sim card (need to have global roaming activated - no charge) into the Iridium. Calls will be charged to you mobile account at a higher rate, but it is a substantial saving in the long run if you only use the sat phone occasionally.

I know the Iridium handsets can also do GSM when in range of a cell, so can I just check you were talking about satellite calls specifically?!

Especially good as work are kind enough to give me a nice NextG phone with a SIM that has global roaming on it already.

I'm also told the gov. rebate is now for everyone and not tested any more, so the shops can sell you the handset for the net amount after rebate, which means they're really starting to sound cheap (By comparison) if you don't get saddled with a contract when you only want it for emergency use.

Originally Posted by jik22

I'm also told the gov. rebate is now for everyone and not tested any more, so the shops can sell you the handset for the net amount after rebate, which means they're really starting to sound cheap (By comparison) if you don't get saddled with a contract when you only want it for emergency use.

To qualify for the rebate - you must state that you will be in areas without conventional mobile coverage for at least 120 days per year over 2 years. If not - no rebate.

Originally Posted by jik22

I know the Iridium handsets can also do GSM when in range of a cell, so can I just check you were talking about satellite calls specifically?!

snip

Its the Globalstar handsets that have dual band, Iridiums are sat only from memory.

Regards
Max P