Marine Satellite Phone
Submitted: Monday, Aug 14, 2006 at 22:17
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Trekkie (Member - WA)
I know there are some very
well qualified people on this
forum when it comes to communications
A mate of
mine has recently retired and is about to live out his life time dream of sailing solo around the world
He will be VERY
well prepared with
HF radio ete etc -
He is not sure however about Satellite Mobile Phone
What to purchasre and who can help in
Perth
Any suggestions would be welcomed
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 01:25
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 01:25
Trekkie,
The current preference is the Motorola 9505.
You have the choice of just using a Telstra GSM sim card from a standard mobile phone, (with international roaming enabled) or an Irridium Network plan giving cheaper call rates.
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Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 01:26
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 01:26
Oh,
A Satelite phone is equally usable on land or
water.
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446380
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 09:02
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 09:02
A Telstra GSM SIM card in an Iridium phone will only work in or near Australia.
The only Satellite service available worldwide from a handheld phone is using an Iridium SIM card in an Iridium phone.
Globalsat phones will only work when the satellite is in range of the Mobile AND a ground station. Satellites are in 1400km orbits, so you won't have coverage in the ocean
well away from land - when you may need it the most.
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Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 09:28
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 09:28
Out of curiousity if you bought a Motorola 9505 and owned it outright could you use it casually and what are the approx call costs and any other costs associated with using the phone.??
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 10:01
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 10:01
If you have a Telstra GSM SIM card with International Roaming enabled there is no monthly cost - it's just a different way of using your Mobile Number - ONLY while you are in Australia.
For worldwide use you will need an International number and I believe the cheapest is out $30 a month, whether from Telstra or from Iridium's Australian agent.
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Follow Up By: Dean (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 11:46
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 11:46
Gday all.
Terrafirma, using your gsm sim will cost up to $2.36 per 30 secs with a 50c ff for outgoing and incoming calls.
Mike, I'm with an Iridium reseller. $15 @ month suspended, 50c a day when connected to the iridium network, from the 1st of Sept. $10 calls per month will be included, I'll be curious to see Telstra next move on their plans.
Not as dear as Telstra, not as cheap as your gsm sim only.
Dean
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Reply By: John R (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 08:51
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 08:51
Sandman, I have a vague recollection of the coverage maps (for satellite) saying they'll cover the oz landmass and a few hundred km out to sea. Do you have to 'activate' them go cover the globe, or is that now a standard aspect?
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189076
Reply By: Michael Carey - Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 19:34
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 19:34
For reliable worldwide coverage, the only "real" choice is an Inmarsat solution, Fleet33 or Fleet55.
Forget the handheld phones and get something that is designed to handle the marine environment properly.
When it comes down to a life or death situation, it's too late to wish you had something better.
AnswerID:
189172
Follow Up By: Trekkie (Member - WA) - Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 23:13
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 at 23:13
Thanks for the replies
I have passed the info on to my mate
Looks like Inmarsat would be the go
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