i live in and hunt alaska, hunt in africa and am going to costa rica, liberia and niceragua (sp?), with no phone coverage, this week on a cruise with the wife. we are leaving the young children with the folks and shes not taking it well not being in touch. does anyone have any suggestions or experience with these? which type and if they are dependable? thanks jeff

Iridium. They offer truly global coverage (even the poles) and no one else can claim that. Pre-paid time is the best option. I buy in 300 minute "Africa" blocks and calls cost me something like 86 US cents per minute in Africa but double that outside the continent. If you buy "Anywhere" minutes at a constant rate, they are a bit over a dollar each I beleive.

Iridium does require "clear line of sight" with the sky so they don't work so well in very urban or heavily wooded areas. I have to be in a major urban square or near a major road to get away from the buildings here. I have actaully rented a Nile sailboat to get line of sight sometimes. That said, I would NEVER be without my sat phone while traveling. Unfortunately, my eight month old terrier literally ate my antenna yesterday. $200 replacement cost from Motorola. (

Best,

John

Jeff,

I have a Motorola sat phone on the Iridium system that I purchased for about $400 five years ago. I have used the phone in Canada, Europe, South America and Africa without a single problem. If you only need it for one trip perhaps you should consider renting a phone. Ed