Borrow Your Satellite Phone, Please?

[MarkJ]

Hi folks

OK some people have asked on this forum for some one to give them a whole boat so at least I can try this:

Can I borrow a satellite phone for 3 months from January thru March?

I need it to cover the area of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

I will pay for your regular account if applicable or get prepaid if thats how it works.

I would preferably like something I can send emails via laptop, but beggars can't be choosers!

Naturally I will pay for shipping costs and any and all expenses. I will also pay for a new one if I break it, lose it or become a guest of the Somali war lords


Thanks

Mark

[chala]

You remember the old TV ad “ no you can not borrow, but you can rent one”
Make sure that the phone can send email.

Originally Posted by chala

The problem with Email based grib files here in Oz is that email can not be accessed with an Iridium satellite phone. All the Internet Services Provider that I have tried do not allow the relaying of mail. Email would be the fastest and cheapest way of getting grib file because the writting can be done offline. I presently use Ugrib and I am trying to find how accurate grib file are.

Originally Posted by chala

I have tried USA based ISP but here in OZ they seems to have been Australianized and have the same problem.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by chala

You remember the old TV ad “ no you can not borrow, but you can rent one”
Make sure that the phone can send email.

The rental cost is $950.

[chala]

Over $4500 for two years, $950 sound about right plus what is not included.

[Springbok]

Goodday Mark,
Seems you're on the wrong tack. As you're into communications ie PC and forum and now seeking a sat phone loan but no takers try a swop ie the sat phone for your Sheila for 3 months . If you miss her can always stick up a picture of Jessica Watson

Clyde- Also S. Hemisphere

[James S]

I think we have an old Thuraya some place.
If so, it hasn’t been used for years. If it works I'll send it to you and you sort out the subscription or what ever it takes to get it activated.

[James S]

I found that phone.

I have no paper work.

No model number or any other specifics on the outside except “Thuraya” and “Hughes”

It takes a SIM card that you get from "I have no idea"

It seems to power up...I plugged it in and charged the battery and am now letting it run to see if it holds the charge.....so far so good.

The words in the display are Arabic...what it says is "you need a SIM card"

The AC adapter is INPUT 100-240V....50-60Hz 200mA
OUTPUT 10V ...700mA

I see some sort of other connection potential at the end near the power in.

There was some problem with Thuraya and the Yemen Government and they are no longer allowed here ….or something like that.
The company that represented them here is closed.

[Factor]

Mark - there is an Aus govt subsidy for sat phones for people who live remotely - including on boats. see Kevin's gift to cruising yachties

Short story its a $1000 toward a phone. Does that help?

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by James S

I found that phone.

Thanks James! I'll give it a go!

Factor, I don't think they give them to lounging cruisers, but for rural types who complain about Telstra

[Cormorant]

I've posted this on another thread recently, but worth repeating: you can buy a used Iridium 9500 on EBay for under $500 nearly every week. Then get the data modem ($100) and a decent antenna ($200), hook it all up to your laptop and you're in business. I'd loan you my phone, but . . . I'm borrowing it from a friend. (I did buy the modem and antenna.)

Good luck!

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Cormorant

I've posted this on another thread recently, but worth repeating: you can buy a used Iridium 9500 on EBay for under $500 nearly every week. Then get the data modem ($100) and a decent antenna ($200), hook it all up to your laptop and you're in business. !

Hi Cormorant. We are NOT in the USA!!!!!!!!!!!

One just Can not buy off Ebay when one is traveling in far off countires.

I know it seams rediculous but out 'here' we are going well to buy a loaf of bread, a beer and a bit of meat that doesn't look like its been used by a scientist to culture mold.

Below is the family we have been sharing an anchorage with for the last few days. Note small brown blob behind top black blob

All the best


Mark

[Cormorant]

LOL. Sorry I missed that little bit of info. . . .

Good luck in all your travels. If you meet any Somali pirates, explain that you have some extremely rough friends on Cruisers Forum who will be displeased if you are bothered in any way. That ought to get them to clear off right away.

[chala]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Factor, I don't think they give them to lounging cruisers, but for rural types who complain about Telstra

Yes they do but it is $700 out of $2600? which can be repayed over 2 years plus the plan cost apx $80 a month, you get a nice kit with aerial, 240Vac and 12Vdc charger, usb cable, free SMS to receive etc. And guess what dialling 000 is free.

[Not Sure]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Hi Cormorant. We are NOT in the USA!!!!!!!!!!!

One just Can not buy off Ebay when one is traveling in far off countires.

I know it seams rediculous but out 'here' we are going well to buy a loaf of bread, a beer and a bit of meat that doesn't look like its been used by a scientist to culture mold.

Below is the family we have been sharing an anchorage with for the last few days. Note small brown blob behind top black blob

All the best


Mark

What, they don't have cities or towns outside of the USA where a person can rent a mailbox for several months and/or take general delivery on packages at the equivalent of post offices, etc? That's rather odd, since I see all kinds of crap advertised on eBay coming out of Asia/Malaysia.....particularly when it comes to electronics.
Why, what do you know! ...eBay has it's very own Malaysian site!
eBay Malaysia - Buy or sell practically anything on eBay, the world's online marketplace
With satellite phone auctions....all 151 of them:
satellite phone, Mobile Phones Home Phones, Consumer Electronics, Computers Networking – great value and good deals on eBay.com.my

[Not Sure]

Load up on flare pistols and a cutlass too besides the satellite phone....and stop shaving for the passage. You'd be surprised how quickly potential 'pirates' lose interest when there's a shady looking individual on deck with a pistol and a cutlass tucked in their belt. Make sure you don't lob any flares at approaching fishing vessels looking to sell you fish, however.