Satellite Communications

Talk, text and email almost everywhere at sea for less than you think

By Lawrence Husick

Ten years ago we set sail from Saint Petersburg, Florida, bound for Portland, Maine. We carried a new communications technology aboard and were intent on testing its capabilities at sea: a handheld (well, almost) portable satellite telephone.  On that voyage, the telephone was the size of a large brick, weighed almost two pounds and had a battery life of about one hour. As they say, “My, how times have changed!”
The Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro is one of the latest generation of fully portable, low-cost satellite telephones. Stylish, easy to use and quite inexpensive to own and operate, it has been on the market for about one year and has earned a sky-high reputation among business and adventure travelers, offshore operators and those looking for an economical global communications tool.  Offshore sailors and fishermen alike would do well to consider adding this device to their navigation stations.
The IsatPhone Pro is as easy to use as any conventional mobile telephone. It uses a SIM card which identifies the user’s account, can store his telephone book, has a long-life rechargeable battery that may be charged either from shore power of 12-volt DC or inexpensive pocket-sized solar panels, and dials just like any mobile telephone (but is always international, meaning that full country code prefixes are required).  The only obvious difference from a typical mobile telephone is the large fold-out antenna on the side of the unit, plus the fact that in most cases the telephone must be used outdoors, away from tall trees and buildings (albeit, not much of an issue for use onboard a yacht).
The Inmarsat system relies on three geostationary communications satellites orbiting at an altitude of  about 22,300 miles. Each of the three satellites remain “parked” over one spot on earth, providing overlapping coverage areas to all but the polar regions.  An advantage of this system is that there are few dropped calls – if your handset can “see” the satellite to connect to, then it will not lose sight of it during the call. This is a major advantage over land-based cellular systems and competing “low earth orbit” satellite systems. The IsatPhone Pro handset also contains a GPS chip so it can transmit your location.

The Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro is a portable, low-cost satellite telephone that should be considered by any cruiser venturing offshore.

 

Several accessories are available that increase IsatPhone Pro’s usefulness onboard. The unit supports conventional BlueTooth audio devices so it’s easy to mount the unit and use either an earpiece or speaker to talk, without having to hold the handset. A cradle unit, the iSatDock Marine, allows the handset to be mounted to a bulkhead and be connected to an antenna above-decks, as well as to conventional telephone equipment including wired and wireless handsets, thus providing full voice service anywhere aboard. Using common DECT6 wireless telephones which are widely available for about $15 each, every space aboard may have telephone service at sea or at dockside.  The dock provides power and all connections and allows the handheld unit to be unmounted at any time for remote use during shore excursions, dive trips and the like.
The IsatPhone Pro also supports a low-speed data service suitable for sending and receiving text only email, SMS to 160 characters, and small-sized file attachments, e.g., pdf files. Plus, there’s free-to-send message service at isatphonelive.com. The phone may be used to reach global rescue coordination centers, but is not a substitute for carrying an approved and registered emergency locator transmitter.
The telephone weighs about 0.6 pounds, including the battery, and a charge lasts for 100 hours on standby or 8 hours of talk-time. It is dust and splash resistant but not fully waterproof, nor does it float.  It is recommended that when used aboard it be kept in a sealed electronics bag large enough to hold the handset with its antenna deployed at a 90-degree angle from the case.  That way, the phone may be set against a bulkhead or coaming, facilitating a noise-cancelling BlueTooth headset used anywhere within 32 feet.
The IsatPhone Pro basic handset is available from a host of global retailers for about $600. Typical of satellite telephones, airtime pricing depends on the plan chosen but you should plan on about $1 per minute unless you are a heavy user of the service.  Accessories like the various mounting cradles, permanent antennas and other components are available worldwide.
Mariners know that terrestrial mobile telephones work only where there is tower coverage (typically less than 15 miles offshore), and that VHF-FM marine radios transmit only line-of-sight so it should not be depended on for ranges over the horizon (although DSC may relay Mayday signals over longer ranges). For anyone venturing offshore, the relatively low cost and high reliability of the IsatPhone Pro makes it worthy of consideration, not only as both a convenience and for the safety and peace of mind it can bring, but also for the sake of our loved ones waiting for us back ashore. isatphonelive.com / beamcomm.net