Iridium Satellite Phone

Where's the best place to get info on these beasts and possibly buy one ? Do they have any drawbacks for 4wd use in remote areas ?

Hi Footloose:

I got mine off eBAy. Might be worth keeping an eye out there. Telstra have (or had) them, although I think the 9500 may now be a superseded model. But they still work. I specifically went for the Iridium system, being Telstra, and I figure it will be around for a while.

No specific issues with 4WD - you just need a clear patch of sky so that the satellite can find you (or vice versa). I hae an external aerial I can use from inside the car but so far have not used it. It sometimes make take a few minutes to line a satellite up, but from the "blurb" there is one passing by every 6 minutes so it does not take long. I have found it handy, esp recently in Tasmania where normal mobile coverage is a bit "skinny" and I had to put an urgent call through to home.

I have a $30 per month plan, which also gives me $30 of calls in the price, which (I think) is about 3 minutes. There is a "delay" on most conversations - sort of like the old international phone call things. Three minutes on a Sat phone is enough. You learn to keep your conversations short with them.

"Beasts" is pretty close to the mark too . The 9500 is a reasonably large animal, but I don't mind because I can't lose it like I do with my Nokia mobile.

Hope this helps.

Jack

Looks like your luck is in .. just went for a look ....


Jack

Hello Jack and Footloose,
There's a Motorola 9500 and a 9505 on E-Bay at the moment. The 9500 appears to come with the data kit too.
When you're looking at them make sure you get the seller to charge the battery before you buy. Then report back success or failure.
If your like me and the battery has been sitting for a while (> 12 months) they'll die. Phone will not charge them and it shows "Invalid Batt" error on the display. (The error code for a non genuine battery even though the battery is probably a genuine Motorola)
According to the little piece of paper that comes with the Motorola battery the internal protection electronics locks the battery charging out. (When in storage the battery should be charged for least 1 hour per week)
Alledgedly they can be recovered in the optional desktop charger, but I don't know anyone who has ever seen a desktop charger for the 9500. Much less owns one.
If you want more information on Iridium and Motorola phones I've found Annie at Skycomm in Brisbane terrific. (07) 5596 3451

Hope this helps,
Geoff.

Many thanks guys, most informative. Makes all the difference getting the good oil from those who actually use them :))

tip toeing off to recharge the batt.....

I don't use the one here at work that often and charge the batt every so often but I haven't for a couple of months! It's been charging ok when we use it though.

Leroy