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| Sorry, you need to be a My Downunder member to post a reply. | | Ratbag
Posts:18
 | | 17 May 2008 9:08 p.m. |
 Alert | Saw there was no topic here - does any one actually own one of these? When / Why would I need / use one?
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| johnp
Posts:9
| | 17 May 2008 10:30 p.m. |
Alert | Hi Ratbag,
Never used one myself but know people who have.
Mainly used in remote areas where other normal forms of communication are more likely to fail. Probably the safest way to go when travelling in Isolated/remote areas. Because of the expence to own and operate most people hire them for their trip. Should be on top of the list if you intend to go out of the way places.
Hope this helps Johnp | | | |
| Cupie
Posts:6
| | 24 Aug 2008 6:47 p.m. |
Alert | G'day ..
I read somewhere that the Singapore Govt.'s Comms company, OPTUS, had done a deal with a comms satelite company & is about to offer a new generation satelite phone product.
As I am a confirmed blacktop person I haven't bothered to follow it up.
Cheers .. C | | | |
| WM
Posts:3
| | 11 Sep 2008 11:37 p.m. |
Alert | I have used satellite phones as long as they have been available in Australia. Initially I used the Thrane and Thrane model which looked like a small lap top computer, then the Telit (Globalstar) and now the Motorola Iridium. The Globalstar was generally unreliable as far as coverage and signal availability goes, which is why I upgraded to the Iridium which is operated by Telstra and is very reliable and provides a guaranteed safety element. We use it only for emergencies and NEVER connect it to the internet. Some people regard them with disdain, however, I have had to use it for a couple of these people who have broken down in places where there is no telephone service. Others regard them as a luxury and can do without them. Thats fine. I'll keep mine just for that emergency which has not occurred at this time, and quite frankly, I hope I never have to use it, but if I do, I know that it will be there.
The cost, about $1,000 - sometimes less - second hand, and the plan I'm on is $30 per month.
Incidentally, when I am not on the road, I also take it with me on my fishing camps in the boonies of the Northern Territory, in that regard, it is an essential bit of kit. | | | |
| Oma
Posts:1
| | 14 Feb 2009 7:44 a.m. |
Alert | | We bought our sat phone 2006 & at that time got a government subsidy which is still available but has been reduced from what we got way back then. Had to have specefic stipulations at to where we were travelling- eg Tanami, Gulf,Simpson etc.Have never had to use it in emergency as yet, on a $30 mth plan which we reduce to $20 when we are at home. Just the comfort of knowing you have contact is really assuring. | | | |
| YesDear
Posts:2
| | 26 Feb 2009 10:56 p.m. |
Alert | I purchased a sat phone in 2007. $800.00secondhand but never been used.
Irridium is definately the way to go. You can make contact or receive contact anywhere on the planet. The difference between Globalstar and Telecom aren't there with iridium. Globalstar costs about $1250 to purchase 1000 minutes. There are numerous prepaid bundles from about $50.00 to $6000 or more. You get a time limit to use the credits which sucks but mine is 2 years which is ample. The advantage with Globalstar is you get a mobile phone number virtually where Telecom were going to give me an international number that I would require a computer to remember. Great tool. Another reason to carry one over and above the important ones, is so mother or father can contact family from anywhere and that helps with the "home sickness" so noone goes home until everyones ready. | | | |
| PAandNANNA
Posts:2
| | 05 Sep 2009 11:24 a.m. |
Alert | | Do we need to to buy a sat phone or is it possible to hire one for the duration of travel? If so, where do we hire from??? | | | |
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