Mobile Sat Phone

[Garry H]

I have come across an old sat phone (pic posted) I am not even sure it is all even there,
it's a Westinghouse 1000 which i believe can (or could) be connected to the Optus network
I think this is now a worthless peice of garbage but couldn't confirm this on the net without lots more googling, can someone please confirm this for me?
does anybody use satphones much anymore? or do people use the HF VKS network?

we are normally solo travellers and only have a uhf, and not travelled really remote (yet) and not bought an epirb (yet)
cheers

[dipmaker]

I honestly have no idea about the phone pictured but have recently done a bit of research into outback communications and come up with the conclusion that sat phones are the most convenient way to go and by far cheaper than vhfs etc. You can pick up refurbished Iridiums which can use a Telstra sim card for around $550.

[griz066]

More info here
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=16473.0

[Straitened Out]

I honestly have no idea about the phone pictured but have recently done a bit of research into outback communications and come up with the conclusion that sat phones are the most convenient way to go and by far cheaper than vhfs etc. You can pick up refurbished Iridiums which can use a Telstra sim card for around $550.

Can all Sat phones use Telstra sims and what is the benefit of that?
Cheers
S.O.

[Skinnee]

Can all Sat phones use Telstra sims and what is the benefit of that?
Cheers
S.O.

You can use a Telstra normal $10 per month sim in a Motorola Iridium Sat Phone 9505 and 9555. I got a 9555 of ebay for $600 and have had no trouble with a $10 NextG plan connecting. There is an agreement between Telstra and the Iridium network to connect, but you pay big $$$$ for connecting over getting a more expensive monthly plan. Telstra dealers will not tell you any of this even though its commonly discussed on exploroz.http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/92235/which_sat_phone_is_right_for_me.aspx

It really depends on how often you go remote and whether its for emergency use only. For us 1 or 2 times a year we will go into non mobile coverage areas and take it for emergency use only

[SteveandViv]

Well for sure Sat phones are much more popular that HF now days. You either hire them or buy. We have one on the Telstra network which has served us well. With the new models (and that unit looks like it was a car kit anyway) I would look at getting a newer phone. They are much better these days, there has been a lot of software changes regarding acquiring the Satellite and that could be a problem with the one you have.

[boobook]

...... I got a 9555 of ebay for $600 ........

Nice piece of buying Skinnee
 

[Straitened Out]

You can use a Telstra normal $10 per month sim in a Motorola Iridium Sat Phone 9505 and 9555.

Can you do the same with the IsatPhone Pro?
Cheers
S.O.

[Jenko67]

Used one for when I was working in charleville back in 2000-2002... great piece of work.... 

[Skinnee]

Can you do the same with the IsatPhone Pro?
Cheers
S.O.

No , they are different satellite networks.  iridium has the best coverage. Isatphone uses Inmarsat network

If you are patient you can get a good deal on eBay on an iridium 9505a or 9555 Motorola

[Tjupurula]

Hi Garry
I have no doiubt that there would be a collector out there somewhere who would gladly give you some coin for thatold Satellite phone that you have pictured.
Everyone will give advice according to their own experience with Satellite phones, I owna Thuraya Sat Phone, operating through Activ8 Rural, but that is only because I am extremely remote.  In this day and age, if you are not going to live in the scrub like me, then you would be better off renting a satellite phone for the time that you will be travelling.
That is my opinion anyway.
Regards
Tjupurula

[Garry H]

Hi Garry
I have no doiubt that there would be a collector out there somewhere who would gladly give you some coin for thatold Satellite phone that you have pictured.
Everyone will give advice according to their own experience with Satellite phones, I owna Thuraya Sat Phone, operating through Activ8 Rural, but that is only because I am extremely remote.  In this day and age, if you are not going to live in the scrub like me, then you would be better off renting a satellite phone for the time that you will be travelling.
That is my opinion anyway.
Regards
Tjupurula

Tjupurula,
I think along the same line of thought, you don't need one unless you are a remote traveller where there is NO TRAFFIC,

anyhow, there was two of these at the online auctions that sell a heap of ex govt gear, so I can only presume that these units are ex govt (Telstra or mines & energy etc etc maybee???),  and I managed to pick up one for quite a reasonable price,
I don't want the phone but was only interested in the Pelican case that they come in (I have another use for a large Pelican case),
I will probably end up dumping the ph, but before I do dump it I wanted to make sure that it wasn't worth something to someone
cheers for all replies
Garry

[offcampn]

We have one of the older Qualcomm Sat phones and it's commited to the Pivotel network , $25 a month for the service plus calls , their network isn't the best ( Vodafone ) as we have to wait for the satellite to fly over to get signal , we also download a schedule so we know when they will be around  , hence the cheep fees . They say they are updating their satellites and putting more into space , so when they bump up the price I'll can the service

[Straitened Out]

No , they are different satellite networks.  iridium has the best coverage. Isatphone uses Inmarsat network

As a once famous politician said,"Please explain". I thought as Sat phones depended on satellites for coverage, their networks would depend on number of satellites "in range" at any one time.
Cheers
S.O.