Should I buy a Sat phone?

I'm thinking of purchasing a satellite phone for next summer when I go out camping. Does anybody have any experience with these, and if so would you recommend buying one?

 

I only used one as part of our local Emergency Management System and I do not remember the brand or service but we looked at it as the last resort since it had a spotty connection regularly.

Now, we my not have been using it the best way since there really was no training other than a sheet of paper and maybe it was an older system that could have used an update. I would check around. Maybe you can get some tips if you can find out who uses it in you area.

 

My dad used a Satellite Phone for his work. He used to be a Cop. I was sitting in the front seat one time and he used it. I said, "Dad, that is pretty big!" He said, "Ehhh, I get used to it." Lesson is: SAT PHONES ARE BIG!

 

Hn, will you be lugging this about? If so - then I do not advise it unless you are going into TRUE WILDERNESS. Sat phones are heavy and awkward and worthless unless you are entering "I may very well die here" territory. I only had one once when I went on a trip to the Amazon with a class. We thankfully didn't end up using it, but it was a serious lifeline.

 

If I were you I would be weighing in the pros and cons of the satellite phone. A pro would be that you can rent these phones and not have to buy them for your camping trip. A con is if you are inside like in a cabin they won't work. You have to be outside and in the clear totally for them to work. I would recommend to just rent one than to buy one for your camping adventures.

 

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