I have an Iridium and an SSB with a Pactor. Each has separate uses. The
Iridium is used for voice communications to the US and the SSB/Pactor is
used for e-mail via SailMail as well as gathering weather faxes.

While some people use the Iridium to do all of this, I find it very
expensive to use it for that purpose. Of couse, if you have to get the SSB
and Pactor, I suppose that it comes out much cheaper to just have the
Iridium. I personally like having both as I have this thing about
redundant systems.

I'd look on Ebay for a phone (where I got mine). I purchase my minutes
from Offshore Outfitters, but look on-line as there are many vendors.

-- Geoff

Peter Hendra wrote in
:

Has anyone experience of using handsets in the Iridium system?

After exploring Inmarsat C and email via a Pactor III modem as well as
Globalstar sat systems it appears to me that the best, most cost
effective system and best global cover for receiving weather emails
and the like at sea is the Iridium pre-paid system.

I am a project manager for a 3G telco and understand the technology
but am having trouble finding out the practicalities (especially
limitations) from those who have used the system.

Anyone know a vendor of these phones/handsets?

Any advice please?

Peter
NZ Yacht Herodotus