Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 28-08-2014, 16:38   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Windward Islands
Boat: Jeanneau 41DS
Posts: 78
satellite phones

looking for communications while cruising eastern Carribean, 41' sailboat. Wife needs to talk to elderly parents. Also hoping for some internet and email. Anyone happy with their phone service, or very unhappy?
Alec H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-08-2014, 23:30   #2
Moderator Emeritus
 
Paul Elliott's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,663
Images: 4
Re: satellite phones

I'm happy with my Iridium satphone. I use it for voice calls and email. You will not be able to use it for normal web-surfing -- it's just too slow.

I use email for getting weather information (GRIBs and WFAX images), and of course for normal email. You won't be able to send/receive big jpegs or videos, but you can send thumbnail-sized images.

Look at XGate for satphone systems and software. There are others that probably work fine, but this is what I use.
__________________
Paul Elliott, S/V VALIS - Pacific Seacraft 44 #16 - Friday Harbor, WA
www.sailvalis.com
Paul Elliott is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 01:53   #3
Eternal Member
 
monte's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Australia
Boat: Lagoon 400
Posts: 3,650
Images: 1
Re: satellite phones

I think the newer technology has made xgate and other pay as you go compression software obsolete now. Now you can purchase an iridium access point for $150 that handles email compression. We are happy with our iridium 9555 for email and weather as well.
Also it's worth looking into the new iridium go, but I suspect ongoing costs may be higher.
monte is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 05:15   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between the devil and the deep blue sea
Boat: a sailing boat
Posts: 20,420
Re: satellite phones

I think Iridium and Inmarsat are what you want to look into. An external antenna and a sound service ashore (e.g. XGate) help heaps when heavier loads of data expected.

Cheers,
b.
barnakiel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 07:24   #5
Registered User
 
ka4wja's Avatar

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Florida
Boat: Catalina 470
Posts: 2,583
Re: satellite phones

Alec,
The title of your posting is "satellite phones", by which I assume (and most will assume) you mean a handheld sat phone...

But, the text of your posting asks about "communications while cruising the eastern Caribbean", which would not usually require a sat phone...
There is good cellular coverage on these islands, and when hoping from island-to-island you're only out of cellular range for a few hours, or up to a day or two if making a longer passage.... with ubiquitous Wi-Fi, cellular, wireless data plans, etc., available on the islands of the Eastern Caribbean, your "communications" needs can be met fairly easily and inexpensively....

For some details on weather info/forecasts...
Offshore / Hi-Seas Weather data / forecasts


Although, I understand that easy contact with elderly parents may have pushed you towards a sat phone....so, I'll try to answer you directly and briefly, up front...and then provide you with some more details / links below...


Quote:
Originally Posted by Alec H View Post
looking for communications while cruising eastern Carribean, 41' sailboat. Wife needs to talk to elderly parents.
In general order of usefulness to you in the Eastern Caribbean, pick one, two, or three of them...or all of them, as budget allows:

1- Cellular phone....(unlocked multiband cell phone) = cheap..
2- SSB radio....(for weather, safety, and telephone calls) = ~ $1000 - $2500 installed...
3- PACTOR modem, connected to SSB radio....(for e-mail) = ~ $1500
4- Iridium handheld sat phone...(voice calls and e-mails) = ~ $1000 - $1200
5- Ext. antenna / docking station, for sat phone.... ~ $250 - $1000



Also hoping for some internet and email.
E-mail via a sat phone data connection is possible, but it is LOW-SPEED data...
Internet access via a sat phone is NOT possible....



Anyone happy with their phone service, or very unhappy?
Iridium....
1) Iridium handheld sat phone, and a good service provider/plan, is going to provide you with easy / reliable voice calls worldwide...as well as LOW-SPEED data connections for e-mail (2.4kb / 2400 baud = 1/20 the speed of dial-up)

2) NO handheld sat phone is going to allow you useable internet access, no web surfing, no web mail, etc...
Just LOW SPEED data, and basic e-mail....along with voice calls...

3) Iridium works and works well....but be aware that handheld sat phones are NOT like cell phones....they will not ring below decks, if someone is trying to call you and the phone is below, you will not get the call...
If you want to receive calls (or place a call), you will need to be above deck / in the cockpit, and have the antenna extended....

4) You can add an external antenna / cable (and docking station) below decks, that will allow the phone to work below decks and for you to receive calls with the phone below....
But, these cost $$$$....

5) In addition to cellular (and Wi-Fi) being wide spread thru the E. Caribbean, there is also Shipcom Radio / WLO Radio, which provides ship-to-shore telephone calls via your SSB radio for $0.99/minute...(as well as traffic lists, 6-times-a-aday weather broadcasts, etc.)....
http://www.shipcom.com/
http://www.shipcom.com/services.html
http://www.shipcom.com/frequencies.html

Have a look here to see how easy it is to use...






6) If you desire some details about weather info/forecasts, ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship telephone calls, e-mail access, and internet connections at sea, etc., please have a look at these threads...and remember with Wi-Fi, cellular, wireless data plans, etc. all available on the islands of the Eastern Caribbean, your "communications" needs can be met fairly easily and inexpensively....


Offshore / Hi-Seas Weather data / forecasts

http://www.shipcom.com/
http://www.shipcom.com/services.html
http://www.shipcom.com/frequencies.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1339668

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1550219

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1595323

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1405506

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ium-43509.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1550968

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...one-52639.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...one-29813.html


You don't need to read all of these threads....but, if you desire the details, they are there...


I hope this helps..

Fair winds,

John
s/v Annie Laurie
ka4wja is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-05-2016, 09:08   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Windward Islands
Boat: Jeanneau 41DS
Posts: 78
Re: satellite phones

It was almost two years ago that I posted a question on satellite phones. I never saw any responses until today, while trying to find responses to a more recent post. Thank you for a very concise answer. Since then, T-mobile has service in most Caribbean Islands without much increase to my regular monthly bill. We expect to be cruising the Windwards next winter and will use T-mobie for phone and email; sign up for temporary Wifi when needed. Thanks again.
Alec H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-05-2016, 13:02   #7
Registered User
 
ka4wja's Avatar

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Florida
Boat: Catalina 470
Posts: 2,583
Re: satellite phones

Alec,
You're quite welcome!

BTW, when you say you never saw any responses, did you just not get any e-mail notifications of the responses (which happens!), or did you actually return to Cruiser's Forum and not see any responses ('cause that should be brought to the attention of the admin)???
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alec H View Post
It was almost two years ago that I posted a question on satellite phones. I never saw any responses until today, while trying to find responses to a more recent post. Thank you for a very concise answer. Since then, T-mobile has service in most Caribbean Islands without much increase to my regular monthly bill. We expect to be cruising the Windwards next winter and will use T-mobie for phone and email; sign up for temporary Wifi when needed. Thanks again.
Now, I'm wondering how many sailors even get to read the answers that I spend so much time writing???


Fair winds..

John
__________________
John, KA4WJA
s/v Annie Laurie, WDB6927
MMSI# 366933110
ka4wja is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
phone, satellite, satellite phone

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Satellite Phones tour72 Marine Electronics 11 02-12-2012 17:31
SPOT CONNECT SATELLITE FOR ANDROID PHONES sinbad7 Navigation 8 07-08-2012 09:26
Handheld satellite phones Stranded Mariner Marine Electronics 6 05-10-2008 11:38

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:22.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.