Satellite Comms.. Part of your plan?

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  • Icarry2

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    I have been evaluating the state of the art in satellite communications for a grid down, long term, means of communication between groups that might be more than 100 miles apart. I am not interested in discussing other means of communication, be it HAM or the like, I am just interested in the opinions and experience of the INGO family with regards to Satellite Communication Devices whether it be Phone, Uplink units or other equipment. What do you use, why, problems, positives and negatives.

    Thank you in advance.
     

    Cameramonkey

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    JeepHammer

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    *IF* SHTF happens that knocks out satellite coms it would be attack or natural disaster (solar storms, gamma bursts).
    Communication satellites are privately owned, many foreign owned and wouldn't shut down simply because of the money that would be lost.

    Keep in mind that satellites are crazy armored against solar storms and the like, they are VERY tough simply because space is such a hostile environment.
     

    eldirector

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    I guess it depends on where you are in the world, and what constitutes SHTF.

    Friends of my sister use a sat phone phone on their boat in the Caribbean. They are practically right under the geo-synced sats, and have nothing but clear skies above. Their version of SHTF has more to do with weather and taking on water, than zombies.

    At higher latitudes, and under tree cover, I've heard they are a bit less reliable. I'd also guess that if the world goes to heck in a handbag, that most any comms that use a third party will start dropping off pretty quickly. While the sats themselves may keep buzzing along, the terrestrial station they communicate with could still go off-line pretty easily. Even if you are calling another sat phone, I suspect the "logic" the connects them isn't in the sat itself.
     

    Vigilant

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    I really am interested in a SAT phone, so much so I’ve been hovering over the buy button. The ONLY reason I haven’t, is the expiration of the minutes you purchase. It’s not really cost effective for a JiC sort of situation.
     

    churchmouse

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    I guess it depends on where you are in the world, and what constitutes SHTF.

    Friends of my sister use a sat phone phone on their boat in the Caribbean. They are practically right under the geo-synced sats, and have nothing but clear skies above. Their version of SHTF has more to do with weather and taking on water, than zombies.

    At higher latitudes, and under tree cover, I've heard they are a bit less reliable. I'd also guess that if the world goes to heck in a handbag, that most any comms that use a third party will start dropping off pretty quickly. While the sats themselves may keep buzzing along, the terrestrial station they communicate with could still go off-line pretty easily. Even if you are calling another sat phone, I suspect the "logic" the connects them isn't in the sat itself.

    This is my understanding on this. The ground link support would go down when the back ups die.
     

    Vigilant

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    Also, even pre SHTF, Iridium is the only “total” network, covering most of the globe. Global star and Thuraya don’t have near as much coverage, unless you’re in the sandbox, then Thuraya is everywhere.
     

    JeepHammer

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    Why, because it costs money, and as yet there isn’t a cheaper way? Not directed at you, but the General INGO “for cheaper” mindset.

    No.
    Because a more tech savvy forum would be a better place to ask the question.
    There are guys here that still have AOL email addresses, like me ;)

    I can tell you an absloutley dead nut sure way to detect nerve agents for cheap, but I have issues with 'Apps' a 5th grader can whiz through...
     
    Last edited:

    churchmouse

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    No.
    Because a more tech savvy forum would be a better place to ask the question.
    There are guys here that still have AOL email addresses, like me ;)

    I can tell you an absloutley dead nut sure way to detect nerve agents for cheap, but I have issues with 'Apps' a 5th grader can whiz through...

    Well, that is why we ask the questions. No way my butt would survive in a hi-tech savy forum as I am not. I am no dummy (jury is out on this) and I learn on the fly.
    But please do not think we can not understand and learn. There are some sharp cats in here.
     

    fullmetaljesus

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    A forum that may be more prepared for this subject, if you were interested in taking this chat off Ingo would be
    Radioreference.com

    Those cats are sharp as tacks.
     

    AngryRooster

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    I've thought about one, but nothing farther. I have no family or friends that would join in and get one of their own. Heck, I can't get them to read the FREE ham books that I gave them, so they will be prepared to take the FREE test that I will escort them to, so they can use the FREE radios that I will give them when they pass the test. Getting any of them to buy and maintain a sat phone....never gonna happen.

    If I had one and something happened where everyone else lost communication then I still wouldn't have anyone to talk to.
     

    JeepHammer

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    I wish I had taken more radio/coms classes...
    The first cell phone was as big as a salesman sample or pilots map case, and the first sat com was as big as a sampsonite extra large suitcase with an antenna the size of a golf umbrella.
    The thing ate big, heavy batteries every 20 minutes, and those batteries burned or exploded when they got wet or drew moisture...

    That kind of set me off radios for a LONG time...

    Now that they have rechargable batteries and fit in your shirt pocket I'm interested again.
    I have an old (and I mean analog, no ICs) CB base station and we have the little digital communicators so we can talk back & forth outside of cell service, but other than what I buy off the shelf I don't know squat about radios.
    It's been a LONG time since my PRC (prick) 77 classes...
     
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