Satellite Phone Service

I've been looking for emergency communication options when out of cell service coverage. I've looked at a bunch of options ranging from the SPOT SOS devices to full blown sat phones, but the problem I'm running into is the extreme cost for service (just having active service, not even using it). As my intention is to use it only in extreme emergencies, I'd be OK paying a larger per-minute fee for usage, but don't like the idea of paying hundreds of dollars just to have service available. The cheapest voice options I've found are about $650/year and the cheapest text message type service I've found is about $180/year. I know there are short term device rentals and/or short monthly plans I could leverage for each trip I do, but I seem to be in that not-so sweet spot where I take just enough trips to not make that option not a real cost savings.

It looks like my best bet is a SPOT X with Basic service, but I do only get text capability with that. Any recommendations for a cheap option if I wanted to go with an actual satellite phone?

 

Look into renting a sat phone only when you are going to be out of range of cell towers. The rates aren't bad if you don't end up using it.

 

i use the garmin inreach...you can start and stop the plan to save money

 

Just curious where you go while on the road? Or is this for when going on adventures? Not many places anymore that are outside of coverage in some form. As omegaman2 mentioned Garmin Inreach is my go to.

 

I like the Garmin Inreach a lot, used it paired with my cell phone.

 

I know it is not satellite or HF, but have you considered a cell phone booster with external high gain antenna?

https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/vehicle/truck-and-ems

 

Unless i missed a particularly cheap option, none of the rental options I found offered much saving over buying a phone on ebay and adding monthly satellite service.

Looks similar to to the SPOT and as near as I can tell doesn't support voice calls. May be an option to compete with the SPOT X though...

I have found a number of places that have weak or no cell service. Mountains in Northern or Southern Arizona, unless you are on a peak. A good chunk of Yellowstone. Alaskan islands. Not what I am trying to solve for, but heck even stretches of interstate through the midwest have poor service. This is primarily a problem when I'm on foot or horse back; you are correct that many places you could drive the Tacoma would have service.

I did consider those. Might work for some of the areas with weak signals, but it's not going to help in the areas with no signals. Since I'll need a actual satellite phone for the areas with no signal, I figured I'd use it for emergencies in areas with weak signal too, instead of buying and carrying two different solutions.

 

I use a garmin inreach. The plans are quite reasonable and you can change them anytime. It’s also on the iridium network for 100% global coverage. Spot is on globalstar and the coverage isn’t nearly as good.

when I’m traveling, I’ll run the tracking points so others can find me. Usually send a message at the end of every day just to check in.

 

InReach is a great solution. The pre-set text messages don't cost you anything to send, so you can easy setup the most common ones and send the important people a message with your locaiton. Regular texts aren't that expensive either. Haven't had to use the SoS button. The maps and tracking data on their website are a nice bonus.

A sat phone would be great if you actually have a lot to communicate. But if you're only trying to say "I'm good" or "Oh shit send help," text is plenty.