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
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