Monthly SAT Phone Bill?

[meyermm]

On all that I have read on the subject it comes out at if you have the dollars go Sat otherwise SSB. Time as per sending should not be an issue if you are cruising unless you are paying by the minute = Sat.

[Mark_S.]

I am considering the new Inmarsat phone. Do you need the external antennae or will just the phone itself be sufficient?

[lorenzo b]

It's my understanding that a boat installation will require a separate antennae and docking station to give satisfactory service. I'm in the process of setting mine up and will get back to you.

[Tia Bu]

I just bought a Globalstar phone for about $180 on ebay. The current deal on service is unlimited usage for $19.99 a month for a year. You don't need to buy extra software to compress data. But there's a reason. The service is available only in certain time windows. Also, their data software won't work on a Windows 7 operating system yet.

Still, when you make a voice call, it's clearer than my normal cell phone service. I've got an EPIRB for emergency communications. My first impressions are that the Globalstar may be a useful and cost effective "stay in touch" system.

Leaving on a three month cruise next month. We'll see how it works out.

[speciald@ocens.]

I have a Globalstar with external antenna and black box data connection to my laptop and use it for email. It is the cheapest way to go - see pricing above. The phone can be set to redial unattended until a connection is made (service has improved recently) and email is sent and recieved. I use MaxSea for weather gribs from there site (free with purchse of the program).