Anybody have or has used a Satellite Phone?

NCST8GUY

NCST8GUY

Frozen H20 Guy
What are the must haves?

How long should a battery last?

Who make the best ones?

Plans?

With family in S Florida, NC mountains, upstate NY that gets flooded, ice stormed, and snowed in, I'm pondering if they are worthy of a Christmas gift or if they will just get set on top of the VCR's in the garage.

Thanks!
 
TobyScreams

TobyScreams

Twelve Pointer
Never used Sat phone but I regularly use a Zoleo. It’s a piggyback style messaging device. You Bluetooth from your phone to be able to send text messages. Works good and is affordable. There are multiple “plans” to purchase based on how much you’ll use it and the device is $200. Downside is you must have your phone working but no cell service needed.
 
Excursion

Excursion

Ten Pointer
I have 7 of them I have used for about 6-7 years. Works great. Minutes are sold in packages and do not rollover after 1 year.

IsatPhone​

 
roundball

roundball

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
wl704 said:
Fwiw- iPhone 14 or later, with ios18 also should have satellite texting.
Click to expand...
It does...I tested the 'Satellite Demo' when ios18 installed on my iPhone 14 Pro Max a few weeks ago...the demo found the satellite in the sky and they connected, then the demo ended saying it worked OK.

But for me to send texts that way, it said I have to be sending them to other ios18 users and at the time didn't know any, figured I'd try it again in the future.

Thanks for mentioning it so I can start some retries...
 

rodell

Spike
Contributor
I rent an Iridium when I need one. Battery lasts about 5-7 days, depending on usage. I don't have the need to have one all the time, but when I need it, I really need it. I get mine from https://satellitephonestore.com/

The new text messengers are terrific if text suffices. They are affordable to be activated all the time.
 
Eric Revo

Eric Revo

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
I have rented a few on remote hunting trips along with a rollout solar mat to keep it charged.
You'd be surprised where you will have cell phone service, I've used my cell phone in places where I would have never thought I'd have service. Remote mountain tops in Co. , back country in Ak. It seems to have better coverage when there's not a lot of interference by human stuff like electrical lines and buildings.
 
woodmoose

woodmoose

Administrator
Staff member
Contributor
NCST8GUY said:
Plans?
Click to expand...

I would look at some of the voice over IP/space link sat to cell phone options as a plan before committing to purchasing a separate satellite phone

Sat phones are great if you need man portability, but if you’re operating from a fixed location like a house or even a vehicle, the starlink system and using voice over IP on the starlink system gives you more flexibility, more capability
 
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Hunterreed

Hunterreed

Twelve Pointer
Great thread. Never thought about the availability or affordability of satellite communications before now so some good information here. The combined knowledge of members of this forum never fails to impress
 
Moose

Moose

Administrator
Staff member
Contributor
Zoleo is waving it's fee's for additional sat messages this month. I have the basic plan and I get 25 messages a month then I got to pay 50cents each after that. Never use that much so not issue for.me.but if I was in situation like folks in Western NC I might. Nice little piece of technology if you find yourself some place that cells don't work.

Plans | ZOLEO

Your source for info on ZOLEO global messaging plans for subscribers in the United States, including details, prices and how to activate.
www.zoleo.com
 
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