Satellite Internet connection

Zed Nivel

Zed Nivel

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21 Oct 2005
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Hi I am looking for a solution to get weather info and also just voice call when onto deep blue waters. I know there are no problems if you are ready to spend a lot on hard- and software and also have no sensitivity for trafic cost.
I had just hoped for a a good hand held phone even if a fixed arial must be considered. I am not interested in any tip on GSM and just connecting in Marinas so i am talking satellite phone.
This kit - is not so expensive, i also think there is a special compressed format (grid?) that makes the downloading of weather info not expensive, alse there are free wares for this.
This kit is marine style maybe even rugged - is there a friend out there who know about this or other solutions?

https://www.gmpcs-us.com/webshop/ProductDescription.aspx?pid=456

where i found the kit: Globalstar GST-2900 Fixed Satellite Phone w/ Low Profile Antenna
 
At work we have some "Thuraya" satellite phones.
I think that some of the models are capable of recieving GRIB weather too.

Do a Google search for "Thuraya GRIB Weather"
 
If thinking of using Globalstar you may have to modify your routing accordingly as it is a system where the footprint is mainly over land masses.

You can get coverage almost completely across the North Atlantic but many other oceans have poor coverage.

Footprint
 
There are 2 or 3 satellite systems with varying costs and coverage. What areas are you interested in ? The two obvious options are Thuraya and the new Inmarsat isatphone, they have different and complementary coverage. All are primarily aimed at land use, because that is where their customers are! But between them they will give oceanwide coverage.

Posting in Liveaboard will probably find more people with direct experience - I don't, I use HF radio for GRBs.
 
[ QUOTE ]
There are 2 or 3 satellite systems with varying costs and coverage. What areas are you interested in ? The two obvious options are Thuraya and the new Inmarsat isatphone, they have different and complementary coverage. All are primarily aimed at land use, because that is where their customers are! But between them they will give oceanwide coverage.

Posting in Liveaboard will probably find more people with direct experience - I don't, I use HF radio for GRBs.

[/ QUOTE ]

YES
thanks for answer.
Of course they all cover land like you say. I am thinking about have service where ever i am (hate to build fences). But is not the Iridium Satellite System a providing complete coverage of the Earth (maybe not the Poles) ? I am absolutely without experience and am thankful for any comments.
 
Yes, irridium is the only truly global coverage. But it is my understanding that the system is expensive to use and buy hardware for and is primarily aimed at commercial operations.

The Globalstar system you provided a link to misses out what I would consider the best bits of the world! But may cover the needs of a cruiser for a lifetime in Europe and N and S America.

So I suspect you would be better off getting a system that covers your anticipated needs and changing systems when the need changes. There is a flourishing market on ebay and competition between providers is slowly pushing prices down and coverage up.

But, as I say, I am not a satphone user - I did some research and came close to getting an isatphone, but did not in the end go ahead. There are several users on the Liveaboard forum.
 
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