Sat. Phone. What to get?
Submitted: Sunday, Mar 08, 2009 at 23:07
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Member - Greg H (NT)
Gidday all,
Seems to be the night for sat. phones, so while your hot your hot.
I want to buy a sat. phone but unsure what to get. The phone would be used for emergency use, to contact people of were we supposed to be and when were going to be there and to throw in the backpack.
What do you suggest?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Greg
Reply By: Bob of KAOS - Monday, Mar 09, 2009 at 00:13
Monday, Mar 09, 2009 at 00:13
I've had Globalstar and Iridium.
Unless the situation has changed over the last 3 years - and it may have - Iridium and Globalstar are both suitable for emergency use. I don't know about the third provider.
I've heard some say you may have to wait for a connection. OK even if you wait 30 minutes its not going to make a difference when the emergency response is going to be several hours minimum.
I currently have a 9550a and it works OK - just.
I found Globalstar much better for conversational use.
Go for the cheapest.
Bob
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353007
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Mar 09, 2009 at 07:45
Monday, Mar 09, 2009 at 07:45
Yes, the Globalstar satellites starting dieing a year ago and replacements won't be up there for another year.
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Mar 09, 2009 at 10:37
Monday, Mar 09, 2009 at 10:37
Go for the cheapest.
Get real
You get what you pay for.
Globals**t is exactly that.
IF you search back through the threads you will see that only an Iridium network phone is worth having.
You can buy a s/hand Motorola 9505 or 9505A for under $1000 if you look around and use your Telstra sim card in it when needed.
It must be a plan card(not Prepaid) and must be internationally roamed.
Call costs are about $3 a minute and if you use this method you also pay a fee for INCOMING calls from the mobile network.
If you are on a monthly satellite plan you dont but it will cost about $30 a month not to use it.
Cheers
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