sat phones

[anonymous12]

Hey does anyone here have any experience with satelite phones? How was the service? was there a delay in the conversation? I would like to rent one when I go on hunting trips so that if I get stranded I would have a way to contact people. Since I would like to have one for emergency use really would I be better off going to REI and purchasing a walkie talkie?

[rksimple]

I have experience using the globalstar service as well as iridium. The iridium is by far the better of the two. Globalstar has fewer satellites and service can be spotty. There are times where you'll be in a dead spot for about 20minutes until the next satellite comes "in range." With iridium, we haven't had a problem with service at all.

[JeffM]

Sat phones are a nice layer of safety in the woods. Depending on how deep you're going and how well you know the area a PLB may be a good investment as well. It will transmit you're position to responders for immediate rescue if things go bad fast. It's kinda hard to give a good location on the phone if you're loosing consiousness. But it is for extreme circumstances only. In a less than dire situation the sat phone would let you tell your wife you're ok and will be a day late, but not need to call out the search helicopters yet.

If you can, take both.

[hoffmang]

For emergencies, a PLB is cheaper all the way around and less likely to have a dead battery when you need it. I've used sat phones - especially when offshore moving boats as they are great to send a quick position update and an a OK to the folks keeping an eye on you onshore.

-Gene

[Stormfeather]

I have experience using the globalstar service as well as iridium. The iridium is by far the better of the two. Globalstar has fewer satellites and service can be spotty. There are times where you'll be in a dead spot for about 20minutes until the next satellite comes "in range." With iridium, we haven't had a problem with service at all.

PLB may be a good investment as well. It will transmit you're position to responders for immediate rescue if things go bad fast. It's kinda hard to give a good location on the phone if you're loosing consiousness. But it is for extreme circumstances only..
If you can, take both.

AS RK said, Iridium works alot better than globalstar, that coupled with a PLB is a winning combination no matter what.

[trilogy]

Check out the SPOT too. I haven't read any of the reviews yet but I was playing with it and reading the manuals last time I was at work and it seemed like a great product. http://www.globalcomsatphone.com/spo...utm_medium=PPC

[anonymous12]

What does PLB stand for?

[Guns R Tools]

Personal Locator Beacons

[hitman13]

where does the signal from a PLB go to???

[hoffmang]

It's part of the 406mhz CosPas-SarSat emergency constellation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Position-Indicating_Radio_Beacon

You only set them off if you want a helicopter to come get you so its not like you use it to tell the better half you're running late for dinner, but if you are in trouble, there is nothing better to get yourself rescued in a hurry.

-Gene

[anonymous12]

that would come in really handy if you broke your leg or were imobilized in some way.

[StraightShooter]

I rented one when going hunting in alaska. It used the Iridium service. It was an excellent thing to have because we float planed into a lake out in the middle of the alaskan wilderness and my dad and I both got out bears within the first 3 days. We were able to call the float plane pilot and have him come pick us up early so that the bear hides and meat stayed ultra fresh. It was cool to be able to call home too and tell the family of your success.

Hey does anyone here have any experience with satelite phones? How was the service? was there a delay in the conversation? I would like to rent one when I go on hunting trips so that if I get stranded I would have a way to contact people. Since I would like to have one for emergency use really would I be better off going to REI and purchasing a walkie talkie?

[westcoastr]

i have used

http://www.outfittersatellite.com/rentals.htm

a few times to stay in touch while on vacation in remore areas in the US and Canada. reception was stellar when out in the open - so so near steep peaks or under trees

very reasonable rates and worked fine. i think i had the phone in the upper right on the top banner (an older, cheap model) but it looks like there are better options now.

[ldivinag]

remember with PLB's it's not an instantaneous "rescue"...

expect hour or 2 wait. shorter if your PLB has a built-in GPS. longer if the authorities have to confirm that the PLB you are using. that's why if you rent or own one, you need to tell your plans to the proper people. otherwise, they could be wasting time calling the numbers on your registration card and then wasting more time trying to see if your PLB is actually in used for LIFE OR LIMB emergency....


another option is (a handheld) HAM radio.