[pct-l] Globalstar Satellite Phone

[Dan Engleman]

I talked to a globalstar rep yesterday and he pretty much talked me out of 
getting a satphone.  He said that the satalite is fixed in a location above 
Brazil and because of that fact the reception is often times blocked by 
mountains, expecially when one is on the north side of the mountain.  Apparently 
there is an Iridium phone that has great coverage because they have low lying 
satalites; the Iridium phone is pretty pricy though and out of my league.  I 
guess one can rent but I think I am leaning towards some sort of smartphone 
now.  





________________________________
From: Gerry Zamora <gerry0625 at gmail.com>
To: halfmile at pctmap.net
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net; dnlcyclone at aol.com
Sent: Mon, February 14, 2011 12:04:22 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Globalstar Satellite Phone

Why not just get the spot and save?
On Feb 14, 2011 11:47 AM, "Halfmile" <list at lon.net> wrote:
> It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has actually used a
> Globalstar satellite phone recently. Their satellites network has
> experienced "degraded performance" the past couple of years.
>
> http://globalstar.com/en/index.php?cid=107
>
> They launched a bunch of new satellites back in October and have plans
> to launch more, but I don't know if any of them are online yet.
>
> This web tool shows you when your Globalstar phone should work:
> http://calltimes.globalstar.com/
>
> A quick look at Campo, CA for today shows the phone should work about
> 15 or 20 minutes out of each hour with the longest call duration of 13
> minutes and 20 seconds (but mostly shorter calls).
>
> Considering the price it might still be worth it, if you can reliably
> predict when the phone will work. But their is a reason for current
> the low price.
>
> -Halfmile
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 11:02 AM, <dnlcyclone at aol.com> wrote:
>> Thanks to...can't remember who posted it, but thanks for the heads up on
the Globalstar Satellite Phone.  To those that didn't see that post, it's
really a good deal.  The phone usually goes for over $1100, and a monthly
service plan for $50 a month.  If you launch your annual plan before March
31st, you can buy the phone for $500 and sign an annual contract for
unlimited airtime minutes for only $20 a month.  Additional fees are $50 for
first time activation, and a $30 shipping fee.  So, for $820 (up to $900
with taxes) you get a year's worth of great reception in the wilderness and
a phone that will last for years.  I think it's a good deal, and if you're
travelling with a partner or two, you can leave/cancel other phones for 5-6
months and just take the Globalstar.  You're given a phone number with an
area code that corresponds to your home region in the U.S., so anyone can
plug your Globalstar number into their cell phone and call you.  You also
get voicemail that allows
>>  you to save 25 messages.  The phone also has the capability to hook up
with a modem and send emails, store data (audio blogs, you name it)...It's a
wad of money in the beginning, but a worthy investment.  My wife and I have
spent $1000 a year using our cell phones, and cell phones really don't work
on the trail.  Anyway, thought I'd say thanks for the heads up and plug a
product that could be of some help to some others.
>>
>>
>> David Liechty
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>>
>>
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