Where to get a second hand Satphone

Submitted: Friday, Feb 07, 2003 at 14:18
ThreadID: 3261 Views:1696 Replies:5 FollowUps:0
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G'day

I've recently brought a crew back from firefighting duties in Kosciusko NP. We were up on the Main Range when we heard via the FM truck radio/cassette that our home area was threatened by fires. The newer crew members with young families were extremely worried as we were unable to contact home on the official radio network, and of course, our mobiles didn't work up there either (we aren't permitted to fit HF).

The solution seems to be that if we had a satphone, one message home to a central contact person, a ring around and a call back would have saved everyone, espcially the younger members, a lot of grief.

My question is: Is there anywhere I can get hold of a second hand/used, but working Iridium (Motorola 9505, whatever as it's in a truck size isn't a problem ) type handset that I can keep in the truck when go out of area firefighting. I can manage the connection fees and the call fees, but a new one is beyond our reach. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
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Reply By: John Eggenhuizen - Friday, Feb 07, 2003 at 23:13

Friday, Feb 07, 2003 at 23:13
Hi Mario,

Check out the following website, these guys hire gear, and sometimes they have stuff for sale. I think they have a satphone for sale at the moment. www.landwide.com.au

cheers, eggy.
AnswerID: 12685

Reply By: Brad - Saturday, Feb 08, 2003 at 13:57

Saturday, Feb 08, 2003 at 13:57
Have a look at the gov. handset subsidy scheme:
http://www.dcita.gov.au/Article/0,,0_1-2_3-4_105408,00.html
you may find that your circumstances make you eligible, and would reduce the cost of a new handset dramatically.
Regards,
Brad
AnswerID: 12695

Reply By: Mario - Saturday, Feb 08, 2003 at 16:33

Saturday, Feb 08, 2003 at 16:33
Thanks Eggy & Brad, I'll follow up your suggestions. Cheers
AnswerID: 12699

Reply By: Member - Cruiser1 - Sunday, Feb 09, 2003 at 21:00

Sunday, Feb 09, 2003 at 21:00
And if all that fails.....
Park your fire fighting vehicle in your local shopping centre.
Run a chook raffle.
Tell people why you're doing it - might help save THEIR house one day.
With the current focus on fires, the sympathy vote might raise enough readies.
Whacky, perhaps, but might just work..........................
AnswerID: 12761

Reply By: Member - Steven - Friday, Feb 14, 2003 at 23:39

Friday, Feb 14, 2003 at 23:39
mario
i dont know if you got your phone but there is one for sale in the overland forums for sales guy in queensland new add 14 02-03
good luck steve
AnswerID: 13165

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