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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,612
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Anyone use a satellite phone?
I'm making plans for a trip to the high Sierra Nevada mountains this Spring. I'm thinking about taking pictures and exploring some of the inaccessible areas near the California/ Nevada border. According to the Verizon coverage map, there is no mobile phone coverage there, which is a "No-go" factor for me. I will not be without a way to contact the outside world, no way no how.
Looking at buying a sat phone with a 6-month plan, so that I'm good if I go before September. Or I can wait until next month and be good until October. https://satellitephonestore.com/catalog/sale/details/inmarsat-isatphone-2-satellite-phone-kit-322 
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03-17-2020, 10:20 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Charlottesville Va
Posts: 5,756
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Nah. Get a garmin inReach or a used delorme inReach (same unit). Monthly subscription you can turn on/off. You can't call, but you can link it to your smartphone and text (you can text from the device itself but its clumsy). It also acts as an emergency locator, has an sos button that sends an alert to monitoring station with your gps coordinates, and they'll text you via the device and send help.
It also has a tracking function you can turn on that sends location at intervals to a web service independent of cell signal. I carry one when on my horse in country where cell is iffy.
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Greg Lepore 85 Targa 05 Ducati 749s (wrecked, stupidly) 2000 K1200rs (gone, due to above) 05 ST3s (unfinished business) |
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03-18-2020, 05:25 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,612
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Circling back, I pulled the trigger on the above phone after spending a day looking at sat phones.
The assistance button, along with GPS fix, tracking, and text messaging got my attention. The only time I would use this phone is in an emergency situation when regular phone service is not available. I opted to go with a pre-paid SIM card for this reason. I figure I can load it up with a ton of minutes before a trip to the boonies. There are a few times a year that I go to remote farms that have bad mobile coverage. If there is any more to report, then I'll come back here and post for you guys. Stay safe ! |
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03-18-2020, 09:01 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 9,100
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That's pretty cool. Years ago I called my wife from the top of Bishop Pass on my flip phone, so I know you can get a cell signal if you're up high and most likely in direct line of sight. My old GPS from 20 or 20 years ago had problems with picking up enough satellites when I was in deep canyons. I don't know if that particular problem would happen with your satellite phone or not.
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Marv Evans '69 911E |
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03-18-2020, 09:09 PM
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