Community Forums

jondrew55 · 01-13-2016, 08:05 AM

Any sat phone fans here? I've had an iridium 9555 in my "go bag" since the Hurricanes knocked out power, land phones and cell service a decade ago. I always keep it with me in the camper on the off chance I get stuck literally in the middle of nowhere.

My phone came with a mobile magnetic antenna to slap on the roof of your car, but I believe that requires a metal ground plane (your steel roof) to operate correctly. Has anyone installed a marine antenna or something similar?

Triker56 · 01-13-2016, 08:31 AM

In the last decade many things have changed.
Now in Hurricane hit areas they bring in portable cell towers to replace those knocked down.

You have your own generator power and a toad to get around after one hits don't you? Keep your gas tank at least 1/2 full at all times.
Does your toad have a steel roof for a place to put the antenna you have now?

wa8yxm · 01-13-2016, 02:16 PM

How tall is that Sat Antenna? Do you have a metal pie plate or Fry Pan that is magnetic and has a RADIUS (1/2 the diamater) that is equal or greater than the height of the antenna? If so, very good chance it will work.

Also very good chance that mag mount is NGP but Well, Most folks have cookie sheets, fry pans, pie pans or some metal big enough.

sflabrkr · 01-13-2016, 02:44 PM

take a thin piece of steel and pop rivet it to your A/C cover

jondrew55 · 01-13-2016, 02:49 PM

Thanks for the ideas. I was thinking more on the lines of something like this marine antenna. I just don't think I want to pony up $200 plus the wiring.

Iridium Fixed Mast Antenna

sflabrkr · 01-13-2016, 04:25 PM

you better buy it now it says special price $199.

Pirate · 01-13-2016, 06:04 PM

What does it cost you to keep a sat phone in the go bag?

jondrew55 · 01-13-2016, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate

What does it cost you to keep a sat phone in the go bag?

The best price I found is from the Satphonestore. I think I get like 200 min/year for $400. They have tons of plans and you can pay by the minute, but you're going to end up in a $300/$400 per year contract.

You also get texting (think old school texting from a standard phone dial pad).

You could also just not have a contract and hope you can activate it in an emergency

sflabrkr · 01-13-2016, 08:35 PM

How often do you test it and charge it. Between hurricanes, every 10 years do you just get the urge to use it. That would be one mental fight for me. Use it, no I can't, just use it, NO, I better put this thing away before I get hurt and they charge me. LOL

jondrew55 · 01-13-2016, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sflabrkr

How often do you test it and charge it. Between hurricanes, every 10 years do you just get the urge to use it. That would be one mental fight for me. Use it, no I can't, just use it, NO, I better put this thing away before I get hurt and they charge me. LOL