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Equipment Tests > Satellite Phones
Satellite Phones
Satphones can either be handsets -- portable battery powered units like large GSM mobiles -- or vehicle mounted, or permanently fixed in buildings. For offroad touring a handset is recommended as this permits flexibility of use away of the vehicle. It also means if the vehicle is disabled the handset still has a chance of working, although the best solution is to use a handset and combine it with an in-car kit. Unlike a GSM mobile a handheld satphone will not work effectively inside a vehicle, and even when outside must be held with its antenna vertical, so waiting for an incoming call could be inconvenient. Using a car kit means the phone will always be fully charged, have acquired a satellite signal for incoming calls, and is ready for outgoing calls. Also, should you need to make a call then you have the quiet, wind-free environment of the car in which to do it; this is a significant advantage, given the often mediocre quality of satphone calls. The external antenna used in car kits is also superior to the handset's own antenna, so for all those reasons a car kit is recommended.
A satphone is not all that different to a GSM mobile; punch in a number and talk. In theory, anyone that can use a mobile can easily use a satphone, and it's true after you understand the important differences between using a satphone compared to a mobile.
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Firstly, the satphone needs to "see" the satellite. When was the last time you checked the signal strength meter on your mobile? Probably quite rarely, but with satphones you must do this all the time, and move if necessary to get a better signal. The satphone will also take longer to acquire a signal than a mobile, and it will be more sensitive to your movement. Satphones also require their antennas to be extended, and kept vertical. Incoming calls work differently too; the satphone will not receive calls if it can't see the satellites, so you can't just leave it anywhere and expect it to ring.
The outbound dialling may be different too, sometimes requiring use of an international dialling code. Satphone users also need to expect and deal with lower call quality than GSM, as there may be delays in the voice transmissions, echos, tinny quality due to compression or short dropouts. However, satphone quality is quite acceptable - when the phone is used correctly -- just not as good as GSM. People calling a satphone may also require international dialling access on their phones, even though the number looks "normal" - something to consider and test before you set off on a trip. If the satphone is not connected to a satellite the call will go to voicemail, just like a normal mobile, and there's also the SMS option. Some users rely on SMS almost exclusively as it is cheaper than voice calls, and if you only have satellite reception for a few moments you can send an SMS, but not finish a voice conversation. But don't assume all phone networks can SMS all satphones; inter-company agreements need to be in place for that.
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A satphone is not all that different to a GSM mobile; punch in a number and talk. In theory, anyone that can use a mobile can easily use a satphone, and it's true after you understand the important differences between using a satphone compared to a mobile.
read on below advertisement
Firstly, the satphone needs to "see" the satellite. When was the last time you checked the signal strength meter on your mobile? Probably quite rarely, but with satphones you must do this all the time, and move if necessary to get a better signal. The satphone will also take longer to acquire a signal than a mobile, and it will be more sensitive to your movement. Satphones also require their antennas to be extended, and kept vertical. Incoming calls work differently too; the satphone will not receive calls if it can't see the satellites, so you can't just leave it anywhere and expect it to ring.
The outbound dialling may be different too, sometimes requiring use of an international dialling code. Satphone users also need to expect and deal with lower call quality than GSM, as there may be delays in the voice transmissions, echos, tinny quality due to compression or short dropouts. However, satphone quality is quite acceptable - when the phone is used correctly -- just not as good as GSM. People calling a satphone may also require international dialling access on their phones, even though the number looks "normal" - something to consider and test before you set off on a trip. If the satphone is not connected to a satellite the call will go to voicemail, just like a normal mobile, and there's also the SMS option. Some users rely on SMS almost exclusively as it is cheaper than voice calls, and if you only have satellite reception for a few moments you can send an SMS, but not finish a voice conversation. But don't assume all phone networks can SMS all satphones; inter-company agreements need to be in place for that.
next page »
