[pct-l] carrying a satellite phone

[Aaron Wallace]

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.
>
> [...]