On Fri, 12 Dec 2003 19:34:31 +0200, "Andre Venter"
wrote:

Which is a better idea - ssb or satelite phone?


Satellite phone is a better idea. SSB is nearly DEAD. Most of the
best shore stations, like WOM in Miami, are shut down, permanently. A
Satphone is like having a payphone right on your bridge.

The US Military has saved Iridium from the auction block. The best
deals for Iridium service seem to be from the UK, not the US. It's
still $1.99 per minute to CALL OUT. INCOMING CALLS ARE NOT CHARGED!
Just set a schedule to call YOU from shore....

Companies like:
http://www.worldcell.com/services/rentsatellite.aspx
will rent you service by the day/week/month if you're not going to be
a permanent customer. Older Iridium phones are available for $695,
but they're kinda clunky. The new Motorola phones are about $1500 and
are still LARGE and HEAVY because they have to talk to a satellite 500
miles away! It's not a toyphone cellular service.

Worldcell can also provide you with a LOCAL phone number in about 140
countries (different number in each, of course) and have a lot of neat
other features on their website. An 800 toll free to the phone is
$4.95/mo....a steal!!

No, I don't have one or want one and don't sell them, either.


Larry W4CSC

NNNN