Satphone, HF Radio, EPIRBs

[noddy]

Ok - Jason's other post on a recovery service intiative got me thinking.

Who carries either a Satphone, HF Radio or EPRIB when going bush solo, or when travelling in the company of others has at least one of these devices available to the group in the event of an emergency?

For me I have always been fortunate enough to have access to a work satphone.

[Yabbie]

None at present, but limit my 4wding due to not having them.

[Redback]

ops: I must say i've been "gunna" buy these for ages now and have never got around to doing it, just plain slack i guess but and i mean but cost and the fact we have not gone anywhere i would call remote and have got by with CDMA, CB (27meg) and UHF albeit handheld. So to my point instead of gunna i should have just bought it because what is the price of a life aspecially your families or yourself, so these things will be purchased along with the accessories for the car, starting with in car UHF and EPIRB.

A sat phone will come when finances become availible. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img]

Baz.

[hiline]

i'm after a satphone [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

noddy are they as good as ppl say :?:
and how about the running costs :?:
what sort of cost for calls :?:

cheers

[noddy]

Originally posted by hiline
i'm after a satphone

noddy are they as good as ppl say :?:
and how about the running costs :?:
what sort of cost for calls :?:

cheers

Hiline -- from my experience with these, I would steer clear of Globalstar and only use an Iridium based provided. The phone I use is a Motorala 9305 (?). It has been great, although there is still some delay at the other end. I don't think this will ever be overcome (a function of physics). The phone is especially good (quick) in initialising and finding satellites.

As for charges, work has always paid [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] Although I know they have come down considerably in recent years. Bearing in mind that your usage patterns will not be the same as a terrestrial/cellular mobile, but for emergencies or short duration calls. Keep it out of reach of the females! :wink:

Handsets can be bought outright for not much more than your high-end CDMA/GSM cellular mobile.

Check out the following site for pricing info:
http://www.telstra.com/countrywide/default...sp'sn=6&vp=1130

[one_iota]

Can you SMS on a satphone?

[noddy]

Originally posted by one_iota
Can you SMS on a satphone?

G'day OI, welcome back!

I think it depends on the handset. I am pretty sure that the Motorala has message terminating (can receive SMS), but I am not too sure whether it has message originating (can send). I will give it a go and see what happens

[noddy]

Originally posted by one_iota
Can you SMS on a satphone?

You can, but depends on the handset. Costs over a $1 8O Think you will need to lock it away from the kids as well as the women!!!

[Redback]

I have heard that can use your GSM sim card if you are not connected to the networks (Globe/Irrid). so you only pay for calls.

[one_iota]

Hi Noddy,

I was thinking that a "sched" via SMS with location would be a great way of keeping people informed. The voice calls could then be left for separated $weethearts.

Impressed with the watertank installation BTW.