Want To Buy: Iridium 9505a Sat Phone Data Connector - URGENT!

[ribbony]

We have a Iridium 9505a phone that we want to use sailing, but it has the original firmware and it does not recognise any battery we put in it. To fix the problem we need to get a hold of a data adaptor or kit so we can connect it to our computer and upgrade the software in the phone. (it has the version 1 software, it is now up to version 5)

We are in Australia and look to buy a used unit, or alternatively to just use one if you are in the Canberra or Sydney areas.

It is a well know Iridium fault and we can not charge any batteries until we fix it.

[FrankZ]

There isn't a dealer there that will do the upgrade for you?

[ribbony]

Yes, there are two service people that can do it that I have found so far. Both are interstate and without freight costs, they want $125 and $165 for a 10 min operation. I am sure I could get an after market data cable set from the US for close to the $165. Not that I can see a lot of extra use for the data cable after the upgrade as the connections speeds are to slow to really do much with on the net.

As these 9505a phones are now superseded I hope someone is happy to part with there data cables for a fair price.

I can only see a limited use for the sat phone (emergencies) and do not want to throw too much money at it un-necessarily, there are a lot of other items on the boat needing attention.

I like the look of the Isatphone that is being released here in December, it is cheaper, robust and costs about the same per call. That is probably the path we will pursue in the future as we can get a 50% rebate from the Oz Govt for one of those new phones.