satilite phones

Wayne I was talking to my local telstra shop and they are looking into it for me.
Peter is talking to detriot to see what they can do for us.
I wouldnt like to see a second hand tour guide they would be even harder to find.
All the best
EricCape York Connections

Phill that sounds good but I have a cdma phone .
I have telstra on the case as we speak.
Many thanks
EricCape York Connections

I fully second what John says...___________________________________
Simpson trip 05/04 then turn left at Birdsville to Darwin via Lawn Hill etc
___________________________________

Oh... and the base plan is $28 a month + $1 every 30seconds used...___________________________________
Simpson trip 05/04 then turn left at Birdsville to Darwin via Lawn Hill etc
___________________________________

Third.

avoid Globalstar IMHO.

After seeing and using lots of other peoples Globalstar over the years and experiencing the problems with them, we bought a motorola last year. Didn't bother with the plus normal mobile option.
It has never let us down once and always clear, has already paid for it's self in the time and effort saving when the guys had a break down out at muster camp and need stuff taken out or parts ordered in a rush. We also have the base $28 plan which is a lot better than when the lowest you could get was $80 a month. Fine as long as you remember the call rate and don't make a long conversation out of not much.
cheers, Anne
Drysdale River Station

Thanks to all of the above
Cheers EricCape York Connections

Bob I have bought a fare few things of ebay and had a look on the week end but couldnt find any.
Did you have just look through all the phones or just type in satellite phones.
Many thanks
EricCape York Connections

Eric
Just type in Satellite phone. The Ericssons are 190 pounds.Bob

Thanks bob now that i know satellite has 2 Ls in it ebay has a chance of finding what im talking about.

Bob my concern is what im buying is it compatible to Australian use.
Did you have a problem or when you purchased it did you just then go to telstra and get it going.
And just one more thing I have no idea what you are telling me in your last paragraph sorry. If possible could you explain it simply for a tour operator/builder .
Thanks bob.

All the best
ericCape York Connections

Eric,

if you go to www.globalstar.com.au they list all the Australian distributors. I just went to a locally listed one and obtained the SIM card and they initiated my account. So the phone is compatible with Australia.

About the satellites, for a satellite to orbit at exactly the same speed as the earth rotates it needs to be about 36,000 km altitude. That means it will stay at a fixed point above the equator so you always know where to point a dish.

If you have several satellites visible at any one time, such as with GPS or Globalstar, they can be at a much lower orbit and be whizzing across the sky. These are the ones you can see at dusk that move quite fast. They are at a much lower altitude than the geostationary satellites so the radio waves don't have to travel as far, and hence you don't notice the time delay when you speak. The most obvious example is when they do live satellite interviews on TV and the interviewee is saying 'see ya later' half way through the next item.Bob

Bob I think im catching on As you said you have the ericsson r290 you bought it of ebay , I had a look and they seem to about $ 500 .
How long have you had your one and were have you used it .
The replys above seem to suggest to keep away from globalstar why is this can you answer this please.
Many thanks again
EricCape York Connections

Eric,

I bought mine about 4 weeks ago and have only used it in the SE NSW region. Previously I have hired a Globalstar phone several times and used it throughout the centre of Oz. That model was a Telit, and it gave no problems at all (nor any dropouts).

I am not sure why some people are vocally opposed to Globalstar as my experience with it does not seem to reflect in anyway the criticisms I've heard. Frankly, if it was as problematic as they suggest there would be some official action (just as Telstra experienced with its rural services).

Possible explanations:
they are Telstra shareholders ;-) or have commercial links with Telstra,
the bandwagon effect as seen with 4WD makes, beta vs VHS etc no logic other than a need to run with the pack and attack minorities

Anyway, the Ericsson more than meets my requirements at a price I can afford. In my case it augments the HF radio and the epirb. It is not intended for two hour gossip sessions with the folks back home.Bob

Bob its me Eric again have just bought a eric r290 of ebay . $530 includind delivery.
I did some more reserch on the phones etc and found out the phones are very good and never seemed to have any problems and when new were $ 1995 .
I was also talking to a fellow at vodaphone who said you can go of and on plan because we own the phone ie if you dont want to or need to use the phone for 6 months it cost $30 to disconect and $ 30 to reconnect and you dont lose your number but you still get a bill but with no payment required in it.
So then if you dont need it for 8 months no $ 33 per month acssess fee.

all the best
Eric

Eric,
I think you have done well there. I hope you are as happy with it as I have been with mine. I keep mine locked in satellite mode only, even though it will automatically switch between GSM and satellite if you choose that option. There is a PDF manual for the phone available online. If you can't find it I can email you a copy.

Thanks I have telstra on the case.
Many thanks
EricCape York Connections

Thanks ruth i am looking into all the options
Many thanks
EricCape York Connections