Satellite phone vs SSB radio?

[thefishingfreak]

From what I gathered (hastily) It can take a few minutes to acquire signal from power up. Unacceptable in emergency. So the choice is to get the $1,100.00 cradle/charging station/external antenna and leave it powered up the entire time.
The phones are about $5-600.00 to own, plus either a monthly plan or pay as you go minutes.
You can rent them monthly for about $60.00 start up cost, shipping/insurance and $115.00 a month. That would be fine for the 3-4 months you would actually need it on board.
AT&T has Terastar satellite phone service, but that's only available to corporate accounts and government business.

[likwid]

Originally Posted by thefishingfreak

From what I gathered (hastily) It can take a few minutes to acquire signal from power up. Unacceptable in emergency. So the choice is to get the $1,100.00 cradle/charging station/external antenna and leave it powered up the entire time.
The phones are about $5-600.00 to own, plus either a monthly plan or pay as you go minutes.
You can rent them monthly for about $60.00 start up cost, shipping/insurance and $115.00 a month. That would be fine for the 3-4 months you would actually need it on board.
AT&T has Terastar satellite phone service, but that's only available to corporate accounts and government business.

The power draw on any of them while idle is negligible.
Never been on a boat offshore that turned off the satphone and signal aquisition is maybe 30-45sec normally.

[Mr. Sandman]

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Concerning the Globalstar Satellite Constellation
Two-Way Voice and Duplex Data Services - Temporary Limitations
Globalstar site:

As previously announced, Globalstar first-generation satellites primarily launched between 1999 and 2001 are experiencing an anomaly resulting in degraded performance of the amplifiers for the S-band satellite communications antenna. The anomaly is adversely affecting two-way voice and data services. Customer service continues to be available, but at certain times at any given location it may take longer to establish calls and the duration of calls may be limited. Until the new second-generation Globalstar satellite constellation(see Second Generation Satellite Update below) is operational, Globalstar is offering its customers a web-based Call Times Tool, on its customer Internet sites, which subscribers may use to predict when one or more unaffected satellites will be overhead at any specific geographic location.

This has been going on for YEARS! at least since 2007.

Also, you should know that the SPOT units use globalstar network.


I think they have most of their new sat's up but they still have more scheduled for 2012. (This was suppose to be done several years ago)

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Concerning the Globalstar Satellite Constellation
Two-Way Voice and Duplex Data Services - Temporary Limitations
Globalstar site:


I think they have most of their new sat's up but they still have more scheduled for 2012. (This was suppose to be done several years ago)

New Globalstar Second Generation Satellite Update
In October of 2010 Globalstar began deployment of its new second-generation satellite constellation designed to restore its industry leading commercial voice and duplex data services.

Three of four scheduled launches of six new second-generation satellites per launch, were successfully conducted in late 2010 and in 2011 with the most recent launch taking place on December 28, 2011. The fourth launch is expected in 2012. All four launches are being conducted by launch services provider Arianespace, using the reliable Soyuz launch vehicle at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Globalstar plans to integrate the new second-generation satellites with the first-generation satellites that were launched in 2007, to form its new second-generation constellation.

Once the new Globalstar satellites are in operational orbit and the gateway ground stations are activated, the most immediate service improvement will benefit those customers who use the Company's voice and Duplex data services. With each subsequent launch, customers can expect a progressive return to high reliability and service quality.

The new second-generation satellites are designed to support Globalstar's current lineup of mobile satellite telephones, Duplex and Simplex data products and services including the Company's lineup of SPOT retail consumer products.