Sat phones...again

Hi Troll 81

I wonder if you know of a site that gives all the RFDS etc emergency landline numbers? There was one on blog tc.com.au but it's been removed.

Thanks for the reply - I think I'll probably just buy one.

Geo

No sorry mate I don't have anything but I know there will be others here with the correct information.

Geo and Troll 81,

If you look in the Members File Swap area of EO under the Radio and Communications tab there is an Excel spread sheet for key Emergency contact numbers throughout Aust. You may need to be a member to read it though.

Cheers Kev

Yes Kev, I downloaded and carry the comprehensive list provided by ExplorOz in the Members File Swap area but as you say, it is necessary to be a member to access it. It's one of the benefits of membership of ExplorOz.

As a courtesy to the OP, 222, I searched Google for a list. There were several rather pitiful lists but the one I liked best ("A Backpackers Guide") included Dominos, Pizza Haven, and the Taxation Office in their meagre listing. The very numbers you would need when in serious trouble! LOL

"Calls aren't cheap but you can get text and those ringing you don't have to pay anywhere near as much as you do to dial out. "

How much is it for someone to dial you (how much do they get charged).

How much is it for you to make a call.

Most of the satellite phone plans that can't dial local 000 and most 13, 1300 and 1800 numbers use overseas based carriers...... making it VERY expensive for someone to phone your satellite phone (most are based on overseas satellite call rates of up to $20.00 per minute).

Our Iridium satellite phone call rates for us to dial out including direct 000, 13, 1300 and 1800 numbers is $1.00 per minute and for someone to dial us it's the cost of a standard mobile phone call..... our satellite phone uses a standard mobile number..... not a 30 digit one.

I think you will find that the Iridium service provided by Telstra is actually $1.175 per 30 seconds (Not per minute) plus a Call Connection Fee of $0.50. But yes, inward callers are charged at standard mobile phone rates.

I was told that to call an isatphone pro on Inmarsat would cost the caller around $17 a minute. The guy from MGL told me this. He said it is best for people wanting to give you a message to hop onto the website and send you a free SMS so that you can call them back. It makes sense because I wouldn't have the sat phone on all the time anyway.

Alan who said I'm with Telstra.... there is more then one Iridium reseller.

Telstra like most things they do charge to much and only naive people would use them!

This is who we use :-

http://www.pivotel.com.au/iridium_plans.html.

Calls to a Telstra Iridium service from a Telstra landline would be charged at
Connection fee 36.36¢ + GST
Call charge (per 1 minute ) $1.45 + GST

Calls to a Pivotel Iridium service from a Telstra landline would be charged at
Connection fee 45¢ + GST
Call charge (per 1 minute ) 36¢ + GST

Remember Telstra and Pivotel Iridium service providers phone services are classed as Australian based and do not attract international satellite call charges, most (not all) other satellite service providers are classed as overseas.

Steady Ocoolone, I was just quoting the normal Telstra charges as I understood them. I have all my phone, email and internet, both business and private, with Telstra and, far from being naive, because of the bundling, I have negotiated a very economical overall rate with them. In other circumstances, Pivotel could be a competitive alternative.
But do try not to let your cognitive biases draw you into derogatory labelling and gratuitous verbal abuse such as name-calling.

And what did you call me Allan in a post about inverters and me not being an electrician?

Practice what you preach!

As I said naive people..... Guilty Conscience ?

Olcoolone, I never refer to you or anyone by derogatory names or terms.

In the post you refer (94959) I said "I cannot imagine that Oldcoolone has appropriate electrical qualifications when he makes the expressions that he does."
That does not cast aspersions on you as a person. It merely says that I did not believe you were electrically qualified, and you then confirmed that you were not qualified.

On the other hand you said that I was a "k**b", a term that I consider quite offensive. Now you infer that I am "naive". Be careful mate. Criticise people's expressions by all means but stop with the name-calling.

Allan it was not directed at you and if you take it offensively I am truly sorry and feel for you.

Your reference to post 94959 I like some others found it uncalled for and the way you harped on about qualifications was a bit disrespectful to all parties involved.

As your more then aware Telstra is a company who charges too much for most of their services however we have our 10 mobile phones with them (best coverage) and our 8 business ISDN lines ......

But for internet, or fax line at work and our home line we use another company because they saved us over 40% based on what Telstra could offer..... our Telstra business manager was speechless.

For our satellite phones we have two with Pivotel Iridium and one on the Optus Mobile Sat network...... out of the two, the Optus network leaves Iridium for dead.

So Allan the bantering on forums is I would say less offensive then the local pub or what's on TV.

If I used the word stupid or dumb instead of naive then I would have to agree with you but I didn't make no mention of you Allan being naive directly... only a general assumption.

From a thread on another forum.

***PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT AS OF 1 JUNE 2012, INMARSAT WILL BE REDUCING ITS PRE-PAID EXPIRY TERMS FROM 2 YEARS TO A MUCH SHORTER TERM. IT IS NOT CLEAR AT PRESENT EXACTLY WHAT THIS WILL BE, BUT PURCHASES OBTAINED PRIOR TO THIS DATE WILL STILL CARRY THE TWO YEAR EXPIRY, PROVIDED THE UNITS ARE APPLIED TO THE HANDSET BY 31 DECEMBER 2012***

Later posts suggest it is as short as 30 days.

Also be aware that you can't dial, 000, 13 numbers, 1800 numbers.

That may be a pain. But if all we have to do is drop $30 in the prepaid just before a remote trip that's still okay. I know we are talking about saving money on an emergency system and usually we say "What price a life!". But why should we spend $20 a month for a whole year for a service that we may only use four or five weeks a year.

We shall see what comes out of the fog! Almost as bad a trying to figure who is the better liar to NOT vote for in an election.

Phil

That's true Phil.

How many call minutes would you get for $30? And do you know if you can top up immediately over the air if you run out?

I do not know the exact figure. I believe its less than 1.50 a minute. That's plenty for us as we never use the phone. If someone calls us they have been told when I give them the number that they pay and its their problem. If we run low for an emergency the kids can go between or even get the emergency mob to call us. We ONLY use it for an emergency. No chit chat. That can wait until we get home.

So for $30 I would guess more then 17 minutes. Unknown if you can top up on the phone/air. They want your money so I think that there would be a way.

Phil.

$699 with the carry bag and chargers plus 20 credits. MGL communications. The pre paid time limit drops drastically from July this year, probably to 2 mths. I bought one and got credits because credits bought before july last 2 years.