Sat Phone

[JackSilb]

Hello,

Can we talk about Sat Phones?
- Service providers
- Cost
- Reliability of the service
- on and on and on

-JACK



So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[JimWasson]

All right! Go for it Jack!
I did some research and I think a good resource is:

http://www.outfittersatellite.com/

Post Edited By Moderator (WhiteThaiGer) : 2/11/2004 5:47:50 AM GMT

[JackSilb]

Thank you Jim.
I am planning to get one close to my trip. I hope that by then the cost is lower and the phones better.
But this one is nice already.

-JACK

</div>


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net


Post Edited (JackSilb) : 5/25/2004 1:50:47 AM GMT

[JackSilb]

Hey Dave,

How much do you pay p/ month? Can you provide the store contact for us?

Your type of phone is getting down on price <$400, but the service plans at the store above is > $30.00 p/ month.
There is another service where you can buy pre-paid minutes but the phone is >$1K.

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[4RunnerDave]

Jack,
Just saw your post. I will get information for you and send it on tomorrow.


Dave


Dave L.
KC6MPQ

[MrS]

Wow, I didn't even know Dave wanted him having a phone posted on the net???

KF6YSB

[JackSilb]

Oh man,

Was this one my ooops?

Dave, please let me know if you want me to remove the posting with reference to you.

thanks,
-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[4RunnerDave]

Oh, no problem.</div>
I was going to let you know that I got the phone and the service through Outfitter Satellite. I believe that I saw someone mention them. At the time I was looking, they were the best for price. </div>
I believe the service covers S. America, which I am sure that you would want. I believe their website has a coverage map</div>
http://www.outfittersatellite.com</div>









Dave L.
KC6MPQ

[4RunnerDave]

I guess that I forgot to mention that it is $22.95 per month for the service plus $1.25 a minute. It would be a bit expensive for long conversations, but well worth the cost if there was an emergency. Plus I need to check messages while I am out, and this beats paying a secretary to check messages!
The phone has worked very well everywhere that I have used it in the U.S. When I went to El Golfo towards the end of last year, I couldn't get out for some reason. They (Outfitter) gave me things to try, but I won't know if they work until I go back to Baja.


Dave L.
KC6MPQ

[JackSilb]

> They (Outfitter) gave me things to try, but I won't know if they work until I go back to Baja.

Hey here is a reasong to go back soon.

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[bufeo]

I have had a Magellan World Phone for almost five years. Our provider is INMARSAT via STRATOS. We pay NO monthly service charges. Our airtime is $3.00/min for Peak Time (which I have never be able to figure out) and $2.75/min Off-Peak (which I have also not been able to figure out). I just figure $3.00/min.

That may sound outrageously expensive, but I just did a comparison last week when I spoke to STRATOS about Iridium and Globalstar who have satellites a little closer to earth (300 miles compared to the 15k miles for the INMARSAT), and found that paying a monthly fee when I'm not using it runs the bill up quickly. I used four years of figures and found that INMARSAT was cheaper.

Obviously we don't use the phone for chit-chat, but it's been great otherwise. It's a 'simplex' system, that is radio-like. If you talk, you override the other party and vice-versa. We're used to it and have no problem.

I'll have it with us when we come to the party chez YUKONSes, and you can all see it. If you want to USE it, better have your VISA cards, we don't take American Express.

Here's to meeting good people on bad roads!

[4RunnerDave]

Yes, Jack that is a good reason to go back! Are you planning a trip?
That was interesting Flywgn about the INMARSAT. I had never heard of that. I thought that there were only the other two choices. I will look forward to seeing it at the party (from behind the guy WITH the credit card!)


Dave L.
KC6MPQ

[BajaTaco]

Be sure to ask Ursidae_69 about the sat phone he has in Baja with him. He will be coming to the party and should have it with him. It is a Iridium, but I thought he said there was no monthly fee and the per minute charge seemed kinda low? Maybe I am wrong - but lets ask him.



http://www.bajataco.com

[4RunnerDave]

OK, he has a pretty long drive to come to the party!
It's going to be fun!


Dave L.
KC6MPQ
Live Free Or Die!

[RTaylor]

how about a bump!

- Ryan -
2000 4Runner with a website (http://www.4x4runnin.com)

[WhiteThaiGer]

In a recent confluencevisit report someone mentioned that he rented a phone from here:</div>
http://www.outfittersatellite.com/rentals.htm. Looks like they start at $39/week with $1.59/min.</div>




***************************************
http://www.confluence.org
http://www.usgo.org

[expeditionswest]

I have a loaner Globalstar unit that we are using for our Sierra Madre trip next weekend. I will report how everything goes


Scott Brady
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com

[JackSilb]

Nice, we need to keep checking the prices for phones and services.

Scott, did you go to Copper Canyon in this trip or are you going in another round?

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net