Satellite phone coverage

I have used both vodaphone/Globalstar and the iridium system. Both systems use orbiting satellites about 1400km above us.

I owned 2 vodaphone globalstar phones for 2+ years during which time I had 3 handset failured as a result of a capacator failing due to a design problem.

The motorola 9505 iridium handset is good quality, I have had for about 6 months and no probs to date.

There is one big difference between the 2 systems that should be understood.

The globalstar works by the handset being able to reach a satellite that can then relay to the ground station closest to the handset.

Note the word 'closest'.

This means that if you are at Port Augusta and the ground station at Dubbo, which is deemed 'closest' to you is down for maintenance, then you cannot make a call even though the phone can see the groundstation 'gateway' at ceduna (or wherever it is) (Dubbo, Ceduna and Mt Isa I think). Thats right, the phone will not work until the groundstation is operational again. This happened to me and the phone would not work anywhere between Kulgera and the Vic Border. Given this limitation, I find it hard to believe that Globalstar will give 100% coverage. I found that Borooloola was always a blackspot. Phones drop out alot also. Not a system for reliable comms - believe me. The telit phones hardly work unless fully charged - adn this charge level does not last long.

Iridium relays sat to sat until and ground station can be reached. Also iridium/motorola 9505 seems to be more robust in signal strength and phones do not seem to be as affected by battery charge level.

The motorola 9505 can also be worn on the belt with antenna folded and can signal an incoming call. So calls can be recieved with antennal folded. Vodaphone/ Globalstar will not do this.

If you go the sat phone , DONT go vodaphone/Globalstar - even if it is given to you as I believe you will reget it.

I believe you would be satisfied by the motorola 9505 / iridium as sold be telstra. I have not used the geostationary systems or radphone so I cannot compate with these.

My only interest in above companys is that I have telstra shares I wish I never bought.....

Sean

Melanie, I agree with Steve's advice. With the HF you can contact the RFDS and you can hear what is going on from other travellers. Also if you have a problem you may be able to get help from someone in the immediate area who hears your call. A Sat phone is nice to call somone but if I wanted to have a backup comm system I would take a second portable HF. Also make sure you carry a EPIRB at all times. The Canning can be a very lonely place and very unforgiving. The most fear for me was always the possibility of a bad accident and/or a vehicle fire. Make sure you have your essential survival equipment readily accessible and easily removable from the vehicle. You may only have a few minutes to get it out. ALWAYS carry some water (enough for a few days) that can be quickly removed from the vehicle together with the essential survival equipment. Its lovely to build everything into your vehicel, IF you vehicle remains in a usable condition. If it does not ??
Dick