Inmarsat or Iridium? |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326 |
Topic: Inmarsat or Iridium? Posted: 15 Mar 2020 at 9:04am |
We want to travel to Alaska from North Carolina. We have already encountered cellular dead zones in the western part of the US. I am considering buying (or renting) a satellite phone for use on this trip. Has anyone used one? If so, what type? The two choices are Inmarsat and Iridium. Globalstar would be a choice if they did not have a full year commitment for service.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Posted: 15 Mar 2020 at 9:28am |
Never having used inmarsat I voted for iridium for your specific application because iridium sats are in polar orbits while inmarsat's are in equatorial orbits, so they will be lower on the horizon and likely more susceptible to interference the further north you go. I would want to get some specific info on how well inmarsat works in Alaska before going that route.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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podwerkz
Senior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2019 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 966 |
Posted: 15 Mar 2020 at 11:40am |
Um...I thought you were camping?
This sounds like a military mission...
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r・pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Posted: 15 Mar 2020 at 5:54pm |
Used both in a tactical environment overseas. As I recall Inmarsat was larger, Iridium more reliable and practical. Cost would seem exorbitant, but your call. My vote is for Iridium.
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Mike Carter
2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 15 Mar 2020 at 6:25pm |
I am thinking Columbus didn't phone home once......
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lostagain
Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2595 |
Posted: 15 Mar 2020 at 6:36pm |
ET phoned home, though.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Posted: 15 Mar 2020 at 6:36pm |
Excellent, Sir John Franklin was never heard from again:) I think they just found his RV.
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Mike Carter
2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
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GlueGuy
Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2653 |
Posted: 15 Mar 2020 at 8:04pm |
I wonder if you are staying on the main roads, whether regular cell service would be practical? There aren't all that many "roads" in AK, and if they have any service at all, they would cover the main roads.
Out here, most of the dead zones are now covered with DAS. Checking the map on this web site, it appears that ATT has pretty much all the main roads, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau covered.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326 |
Posted: 15 Mar 2020 at 9:58pm |
We've been across the western US with plenty of cellular dead zones, even along Interstate highways. There are reasons I would like to be able to stay in touch. Elderly parents are one. Our house security system is self-monitored and although I could add someone in, I would still want to be notified if something tripped the alarm. One break-in in our lives is enough. Also, we would want to be able to call for assistance if we were to have a breakdown. It is taking a chance on cell service being there or waiting for someone to come along to take a message to some place where help could be summoned. @GlueGuy: Please define DAS. I'm not familiar with that acronym. Also, we are on Google Fi. I'm not sure if AT&T towers would be accessible to us.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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crazycoyote
Groupie Joined: 22 Jan 2017 Location: Arizona Online Status: Offline Posts: 49 |
Posted: 15 Mar 2020 at 10:57pm |
I camped long before cell phones, and after 10 trips to Alaska they still have land lines at most business and camp grounds.
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