GLOBALSTAR SAT PHONES -SUCK!!!!

[LuckyLady]

THEY SUCK and do not rely on them in case of emergency!

Searching for signal and offline all the time!

1st call is for safety if it works!


What sat phone do you use and does it work everytime you attempt to use it?

[Double D]

I was about to renew when I read Capt. Len's editorial last month. Thanks Len

On their website, they downplay the spotty service, but the fact is they are out of the game at the moment

[HiddenTreasure]

Mary,

I don't have an answer for you, I have a Globalstar as well. In another business we were Globalstar's largest single private custom and they had great service then. During 911 they were the only comm that worked, AT&T has pictures of me with a group of Fireman that night from the rumble calling home.

It takes me up to 30 minutes sometimes to connect to a sat now, if we were in real trouble, well you know the rest!!!

Their service really went down hill!!!!!!!

On another note - what marina are you at in OC, I'm coming tomorrow to drop off shirts and haven't gotten Chuck yet?

[Wild Life Management]

Globalstar had many satellites fail before their expected experation date, so they are scrabling to launch new satellites and get them working. I have had the same problem all year as well, and Double D is right, they try to downplay the interupted service. I have had many phone calls into seatel and from what I gather the service should be back to normal by the fall, we will see. They did offer a full refund for my annual payment so you could probably get your money back. Best of luck, LL, hopefully there is never an emergency to worry about, but I would plan on using the radio isntead of the phone any time soon. You could try Iridium, I haven't heard much about them though.

[Flatdog]

2 words guys not being funny here "homeland security"

[Reeltitanium]

I can list a dozen places with only one thing in common,sand,you can get a line out anytime As for the wartime demand on sat com Get your SSB and antenna tuned.

[ncnarc809]

Try THURIYA, I dont know if you can get them state side but they do work on the far side of the world all most everytime

[B.C.]

After reading Johns report on his overnighter about the lack of service on his phone it got me thinking about it again. Several years ago when we were fishing out of hatteras we purchased a Globalstar sat phone, the first couple of years we were happy with the service. Last year I was disconnected a couple of time in the middle of a call. This year I have made 1 30 second call 30 miles off the beach before being disconnected. We bought this phone as a piece of saftey equipment and have paid the monthly service of around $50. Now it seems as they are useless. How many people have these and are you having the same problem? Does any one have the hard wired option and does that help? Maybe John (admin) can contact these people and see what is going on with there service.

[SeaPro238]

Try THURIYA, I dont know if you can get them state side but they do work on the far side of the world all most everytime

Thuraya only covers Africa, Middle East and a small portion of Europe. I've been using the same Thuraya phone and number for the past 5 yrs working in Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq. Iridium Sat phones have very good coverage but the service is pricey.

[Reeltitanium]

As "Sea Pro 238" well knows if not for military use the sat phones would be history. Civilian companies can't make it profitable and I wouldn't doubt it if it's not already receiving gov't subsidy already ala many "private" war based companies. My vote is Iridium/Haliburton