[pct-l] carrying a satellite phone
Aaron Wallace
aaron at skeeky.com
Thu Mar 8 17:25:37 CST 2007
One thing to know about Globalstar is that they are having unexpected
amplifier deterioration in their satellites:
http://www.dailywireless.org/2007/02/06/globalstar-in-trouble/
Buying a cheap used Globalstar phone and pre-paid minutes might make
more sense than an expensive new phone and long-term contract that could
become worthless if this problem can't be resolved...
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
> [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Sandra
> Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2007 11:42 AM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] carrying a satellite phone
>
> Regarding satellite phone use....as I've written on this
> listserv before, because my home is in a very isolated and
> rural area ( 2 miles past power lines up a logging road) and
> because my mother who lives there alone is elderly, I always
> carry a satellite phone backpacking. With an extra battery,
> this weighs over half a pound,
> and costs me $29.95 a month plus $1.49 a minute, but it is a cost
> (in weight and $$) I gladly bear in exchange for the freedom
> to hike anywhere and still keep in touch. Yes, you have to
> be able to see the sky. It doesn't work between tall
> skyscrapers, or in deep canyons (actually it does, but for
> about 2 seconds when the satellite is right overhead!).
> Dense timber such as we have up here in NW Washington makes
> it hard to keep a signal. But when you are up on a ridge, as
> you often are on the PCT, it is just as good as cell service
> in an urban area. I'm with Outfitter Satellite of Tennessee,
> on a Globalstar 1650, but there is a lighter version just
> last month available. On the Oregon PCT, I could get cell
> service (with
> Verizon) about 2/3 of the time, and used the satellite the
> rest of the time (I call at least once a day). In Northern
> Washington PCT areas, I usually have to be on the satellite
> service. Haven't hiked
> much of the CA PCT. You can rent the phones, but I bought mine
> from Outfitter Satellite as a VERY lightly used one for $350.
>
> [...]
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