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Satellite Phones

Discussion in 'Technology' started by yoda, Mar 18, 2008.

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  1. yoda

    yoda F1 Rookie

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    #1 yoda, Mar 18, 2008
    Anyone use one? I do some fairly remote mountain biking and driving through the desert by myself where there is no cell phone service which worries my wife a bit. My brother in Iraq is also considering one. What are some good phones/plans out there that would be good for emergency/urgent use only?
     
  2. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 TexasF355F1, Mar 18, 2008
    I don't know much about them myself. My cousin rented one when he went black bear hunting in Alaska a few years back. It was the only way to communicate with his wife and kids.

    If I remember correctly it was rather expensive per call.

    I would say it would be worth it as a very good precautionary purchase.
     
  3. Tarek K.

    Tarek K. F1 World Champ
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    #3 Tarek K., Mar 18, 2008
    I have both the Thuraya SO-2510 and SG-2520. Both can work on a standard SIM card with the roaming capability.
     
  4. Scotty

    Scotty F1 World Champ
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    #4 Scotty, Mar 18, 2008
    I'm in the same situation (remote mountain biking). I've looked at the new remote GPS locator beacons--no voice capability, but still a way to get a distress call out.
     
  5. MarkPDX

    MarkPDX F1 World Champ
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    #5 MarkPDX, Mar 19, 2008
    I have used Iridium phones on quite a few occasions and have been happy with them though I have no idea what the rates might be like. Sound quality is about the same as a regular cell phone. They are chunky to be carrying along hiking/biking unless you HAVE to be able to get in contact. Never have had any problems with them though you obviously gotta be outside which is a hassle sometimes. You can get various antennas for use in aircraft, very nice if you gotta call someone from mid Atlantic or random fields in Africa.

    Saw those advertised a lot when I was in Qatar and it seemed like they were relatively compact from what I could see. How big are they really?


    Is he there with the US military? Currently there or going to be over soon? The DSN network makes it pretty easy to call back to the US and doesn't cost anything unless you are calling somewhere without a military station (there are lots, directories are easily found online) I probably talk to my family more from over here than when I'm in the US (not a lot to do out here) and in the event of an emergency it's usually even easier to justify grabbing a phone and calling home.
     
  6. Tarek K.

    Tarek K. F1 World Champ
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    #6 Tarek K., Mar 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The 2510 is 4.5" x 2" and the 2520 is 5.5" x 2". Both 0.7" thick. The 2510 is Satellite only. The 2520 is Satellite and GSM.......you can switch between both networks. Both models have GPS capability.

    They are much smaller and lighter than the Iridium phone. Call quality is great.
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