Offshore communications? Sat phone? VHF phone??

[Birdman]

I remember a year or two ago some talk about Seatow or one of the other commercial marine outfits releasing something about an offshore communications system availble via normal VHF radio's. Whatever happend to that? Working, not working? anyone try it....??

Of are will still forced to go the expensive Sat phone route? If so, what sat phone and service is the cheapest and best?

who dun it??

[carlfish]

Yes,
I tried it on a free test basis. They have (seatow) installed communication towers which I remember as 400' Tall to arm their sea smart system. Your boat could be tracked and position know via computer at a home base. You could also call via your vhf radio to their office and be patched to wherever...
My test off ft myers fl revealed that I could reach sea tow farther out then sea smart. So, why would I pay the extra charge...
If you plan on going farther out than your area tow provider or your radio can transmit you really need to think about another way to reach help.
I am not expert on the sea smart system, just relaying me experience...
Carl

[bignick1]

Based on what I read Carlfish is correct, If you are running far offshore then Sat Phone is the way to go. Or buddy boat in my case.

Nick

[grouperkng]

and with the sat phone stay AWAY from Global star.... Trust me.. I just called them about mine (that has never worked) and they took me off the 5 year plan @ $50 per month unlimited use.. they now have me set up where I only get charged if I use the phone. No service charge monthly or yearly. So for those of you who have the same POS as I do call them up and I am sure they will do the same. I have seen a few sites that will take in the GS and give you a $400 credit toward a good system.

Birdman the only (that I know of) sat phone that has worked well for many people is the Iridium. I am buying one as soon as I find out more about this trade in deal as my GS phone is worthless.. I think you can get them on Ebay for like 20$. They do not work! do not get the Global star what ever you do.

The Iridium phones are not cheap and the min's and costly.. But if you need it, it would be worth it

Good luck

Jon

[Codfisher]

grouperkng - 5/25/2008 10:13 PM

and with the sat phone stay AWAY from Global star.... Trust me.. I just called them about mine (that has never worked) and they took me off the 5 year plan @ $50 per month unlimited use.. they now have me set up where I only get charged if I use the phone. No service charge monthly or yearly. So for those of you who have the same POS as I do call them up and I am sure they will do the same. I have seen a few sites that will take in the GS and give you a $400 credit toward a good system.

Birdman the only (that I know of) sat phone that has worked well for many people is the Iridium. I am buying one as soon as I find out more about this trade in deal as my GS phone is worthless.. I think you can get them on Ebay for like 20$. They do not work! do not get the Global star what ever you do.

The Iridium phones are not cheap and the min's and costly.. But if you need it, it would be worth it

Good luck

Jon

AGREE 100000%

I got a decent deal after negotiating at www.satellitediscountstore.com. on the Iridium.
I sold the Globalstar for $100 and I was happy to get that much.