Sat Phone, Data and Wifi - Options?

[Tim Good]

Ok so things seem to have changed rapidly in this area over the last 10 years. To save me from masses of my own research can someone just give me a down to earth, No Sh*t summary of this:

I want to:

Have a way of calling / sending texts via sat phone. Pay as go ideally.
Have a way of getting that data connection to a smart phone or laptop, ideally wifi.
Ideally not having to install lots of new wiring, antenna and so on.

Would I be right in saying that I could just get a hand held sat phone along with an associated router and use the sat phone on its own that could then plug into a router. I could then use the internet via it to download grib files and email at a basic level?

Any advice welcome invluding model numbers, providers, tariffs etc?

 

[Wandering Star]

What you're describing is pretty much correct. To save money it pays to use data compression software when sending emails and I also think a proper marine antenna is pretty well a "must have" for reliable reception and transmission, without an external antenna you will often lose the connection and have to start over. One of the most popular providers is www.mailasail.com (Ed Wildgoose) the website is a mne of information. I used a pre-pay SIM from Mailasail and lodged my debit cad details with them, when I needed a top up, I just sent them an email (from mid-ocean if necessary) and they did the doings promptly and without drama.

 

[ip485]

You need to be very clear in your expectations.

Handhelds i have found to be painfully slow and the signal not reliable. They do work and you will undoubtedly get there in the end.

A small fixed sytem such as a sailor 150 will give a far more reliable connection (almost 100 %) and surprisingly good speeds, much better than i expected, but with more plumbing.

 

[AlanBoatman]

I have recently seen the Iridium 'Go' come on the market - http://www.groundcontrol.com/Iridium_Go.htm - it looks amazing.

For me this is a great solution to take with me on charters where sometimes reliable communications and accessing weather info can be difficult. The safety implications for charter boats that don't carry proper GMDSS equipment are huge.

It is an Iridium Satellite WiFi hotspot which allows up to 6 iOS or Android devices (iPhone, iPad etc.). You just get the App and connect up and use your normal phone for sat voice calls, internet, emails, SMS, GPS tracking so those ashore can track your progress and an SOS alert button.

Data transfer is only 2.5 Kilobits per second, but sounds like enough for GRIB files and the app has compression for emails i believe. Also iridium is launching 32 new satellites next year and the unit will work with these with data transfer speeds comparable to 3G.

The unit costs about GBP 500. It can stand alone or be connected via a stronger mast mounted antenna on a yacht for about GBP 230.

There are many different plans with prepaid or monthly. The monthly plans go up to about GBP 75 for unlimited voice and data.

I must stress that I have not used this system or talked to anyone that has as it is quite new. But if it does what it says on box I will definitely invest in it.

Check it out!

 

[Barbican]

I have recently seen the Iridium 'Go' come on the market - http://www.groundcontrol.com/Iridium_Go.htm - it looks amazing.

That looks like a good solution - thanks

 

[oldvarnish]

If you're want simple interfacing of sat phone and laptop try here http://www.globalmarinenet.com/xgate.php

If you want to send text via satellite using a mobile phone (but not voice calls) try here http://www.globaltelesat.co.uk/satphone/Delorme-inReach-Satellite-Tracker.html