Footloose replied:

I think you've just discovered why there are so many HF users, $$$$$$$$$ :)))))) For what you want a satphone seems ideal, except for the dollar factor.

DrewT@home replied:

Lot of info on this in previous posts .. do a search.
in essence, if you only want satphone for emergency use then an iridium compatable satphone (eg Motorola 9500/9505) with a telstra simcard on any kind of plan (ie: could be the one out of your day-to-day mobile) with 'international roaming' enabled, will work just fine with the iridium system. When you make a call, Iridium will bill Telstra, who in turn will charge you a hefty rate becuase you aren't on a satellite plan with them ... but for some of us, this arrangement is just perfect.

You can pick up a second hand Motorola 9500 for $500-$1000 (ebay, trading post)

Note that because you aren't 'registered' with iridium via telstra, some of the iridium services aren't available to you (eg: SMS, mailbox)

Whilst the above is exactly what i have done, i am by no means an experienced user with it yet .. happy to hear from anyone else using this arrangement as to what they think

Member - Geoff M (Newcastle) replied:

Smudger,
I was busily typing a long informing reply, but DrewT@home says it all.
Just buy a Motorola 9500 or 9505 and if you already own a GSM mobile, have its SIM enabled for international roaming and stick it in.
You'll pay a call premium for the GSM SIM in you Sat phone but hey, 5 minutes a year at $5 / minute is still only $25.00. The call rate is just a guess, check with your provider.

Geoff.

bombsquad replied:

Gday Smudger

I recently bit the bullet and got a qualcom cdma/satphone through Globalstar. Had to go on the $75 plan to get the full govt rebate. phone cost $599 after rebate. $45 worth of calls included per month. Off the top of my head 60 cents per 30 second sat. call and 22 cents/30 second CDMA call. (cheaper than my old telstra phone). Possibly a bit pricey for what your after, but we do a fair few trips alone. Ofsetting the costs by getting an 'engin' for the home phone via broadband. 10c per call untimed (to landline, anywhere in aust!)

The other deciding factor for me was portability between our cars and boats, otherwise would have looked more into HF.

Cheers Andrew

andrewr replied:

Smudger,

I bought a Globalstar satphone about four years ago. Mine is a GSM/Satphone (the other alternative being CDMA/Satphone). I have taken the SIM card out of the Satphone and put it in a normal GSM handset which I use as my day-to-day mobile. I keep the satphone in the glovebox and switch the SIM card over if it's needed. This way I only have one account and one phone number. The only downside is that I'm probably paying a tad more for my GSM calls through Globalstar than if I had an account direct with the GSM provider (Vodafone) but it's still cheaper than having two phone accounts.

kyuss replied:

I have a phone connected with Optus MobileSat (an NEC S1) and after the 100$ or whatever connection you can "suspend" your service indefinitely until you need it again. $50 per month when activated (and you can only call them to activate during business hours), but no charge when suspended and no connection-re-connection fees apply. this is perfect for the 4WD'er.

Only real down side is that the phones (NEC S1/S2 and Westinghouse 1000) are all briefcase style and need to either be installed in the car, or involve purchase of cases and accessories to make the phone similar to the Minisat terminals Telstra used to flog, though these would still be less portable than telstra's equivalent because of no internal batteries.

I am led to believe that the S1 and S2 are variants on military satellite phones so both are really rugged.

Bob Y. - Qld replied:

Smudger,

Wife & I got an Iridium, through Telstra. Pay $50/month, and got the full subsidy.
Hardly use it, at present, but has little delay, and easy to access wanted number.

Company then bought a Globalstar CDMA/Satphone for the station. ($1,999 - Ouch! no subsidy for company's) Our normal phones have been somewhat unreliable of late. Think I like the Globalstar better, with the CDMA option, but that's all supposed to change in the next year or two??? Carkit for this is about $2K also, whereas the Iridium has a kit with chargers, and external aerial included in the original price.

Globalstar accounts can apparently be a pain in the arse, and they will supposedly cut you off, if payment is late. Not handy if you're caught halfway across the Simpson!!!

If you buy an Iridium phone, made by Motorola I think, make sure it has had the battery software upgrade, otherwise it will have to be replaced/upgraded. Info is available on iridium website.

Finally, think the G'star is more useful phone, but the Iridium is better value, with goodies included in the kit.

Hooroo...