Satillite phone

[waterbouy]

Hello fello Ausfishers,

Any one got a satillite phone?
Is there any thing I should look out for/ make sure mine has (accessories)?
What brand and model?
Price/s of phone/ accessories/ credit?

Cheers and tight lines

[Fishbait]

I believe some cheaper ones can't access the emergency services network (ie. triple zero). I'd be making sure by asking the question first before you buy one.

[rayken1938]

Have a look at this mob. http://indigotelecom.com.au/ they have a dual phone that works on the telstra next g network when avail and if no telstra network avail it works on their own satellite .
Their call costs are substantially less than all the other networks.
The only thing with all satellite phones are that they have to be able to see the satellite and do not work indoors or in heavy bbush. ( Same as your gps).
Most BCF stores are agents.
I do not know about their capability of contacting 000 but an simple alternative is to program in the direct number for police,ambulance etc.
Cheers
Ray

[Boat Hog]

I have an Iridium (model 9505a) phone. Bought it a couple of years ago from the USA on ebay. It came with a protective carry case, selection of international plugs for the charger, car charger and car kit (external magnetic aerial for car roof), plus hands free ear piece thingy. At the time with crappy exchange rate it was a bit over a grand landed in aus.

The reasons I bought this model phone are:

- Arguably the best satelite network coverage wise (at the time).
- telstra is the australian partner for iridium.
- no contract needed if you have a telstra sim card (not micro sim - but you could use an adaptor) with global roaming enabled. Calls to and from phone charged to your telstra mobile account.
- Reliable.

Cons;
- the number of the phone is your mobile number, so if you get lots of calls each day it will cost you lots and lots (okay for me - I have no friends!). You could get a seperate plan and sim for just the sat phone.
- without a set plan, calls are charged at a premum. Doesn't worry me, I just wanted it for emergencies.

There are more updated models (smaller too - this thing is like a brick!) available now and there is also second hand models of my phone for sale (in aus) as a result.

Cheers,