Equipment Tests > Satellite Phones

www.thuraya.com
www.thurayaphones.com.au
www.globalstar.com.au
www.inmarsat.com
www.satellitephones.com.au
www.iridiumphones.com.au


Starting out with a satphone
Satphones are available for rent in many locations. Or you could buy your own, possibly with a government subsidy which is worth up to $1000 off the price of the handset only. The sticking point for many readers will be that you must spend at least 120 days per year for two years in an area outside normal mobile coverage, but those on the Big Lap should definitely go for it. Further details here:

http://www.dbcde.gov.au/communications_for_consumers/mobile_services/the_satellite_phone_subsidy_scheme

The rent/buy arguments are the usual. Renting is cheaper, but more hassle and availability is limited at peak times. However, most satphones owners don't use it every day, and some rent it to their friends and family for their trips. Thuraya has introduced pre and post-paid plans, and some plans allow you to 'park' the phone between annual trips.
Important accessories include a 12v charger, car mount, external antenna, belt clip, spare battery (for extra life, and in case the battery itself fails) and many people find a small camera bag ideal carrying it all around.

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Who you gonna call?
Just because you have a satphone doesn't mean to say you'll be able to get assistance. If you need to make an emergency call chances are you'll want to do so quickly and the situation will be stressful. You may also be struggling with battery life, noisy weather, service dropouts, and have limited time. So the call needs to be quick and to the point, which means both you and the other person needs to be prepared. If you need to leave a message don't assume you will be understood; during our testing we left messages as a way to gauge call quality, and several were difficult to understand. Send a text too, and repeat yourself.
Make a list of emergency numbers, and more than one friend who you know can be trusted in an emergency. Then work out what you are likely to be saying. Here is an example list of information to leave, and to take with you on a laminated card:

Full names of everyone in the party
Pertinent medical details (blood type, special conditions, Medicare etc)
Next of kin and emergency contact
Vehicle make, model, colour and description
Intended route and times

This list is what the authorities will want to know:

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