Yesterday I picked up my Satellite Phone from TC Communications after it was kindly donated to the Grey Nomad Website as the first place prize for the recent "Red" Photo competition. A really big thank you Cindy, TC Communications and everyone that voted for me.
I went to Auburn (Sydney) to collect the phone as they offered to show me how to use it and to say that the people there were fabulous is an understatement. Diana Minglis and Mark Nowakowski are a credit to their employer.
I did not know a lot about Satellite phones and thought that they would actually be a little bit expensive for me, BUT, now I have been suitably educated in them I would suggest people really think about getting one if they are travelling into areas that may not receive phone reception and where you are a little concerned and may need emergency assistance in remote areas.
The phone is valued at $599 which is on a par with an EPIRB, sometimes cheaper.
Now, the BEST thing about the phone which I did not know, is that there are NO ONGOING costs like a normal mobile phone. So, no monthly fees...Bloody bonus !!!!!
They gave me 25 prepaid units (minutes) for free and I also purchased another 25 minutes which cost me an extra $22.65. Now, these prepaid units last for 2 years, yes, 2 YEARS !! Unlike mobile phones which run out in a month or so.
I can use this phone Anywhere in the world (except the USA as you are not allowed prepaid there, but can get post paid). All you have to do is be able to see the sky and lift up the antenna and off you go !!
I believe this to be far more beneficial than an EPIRB as EPIRB's can only be used in an emergency and I don't think emergency services would appreciate travelling out into the bush if you had a flat tyre !! But with the SatPhone, you could just ring someone instead of emergency services.
Now there is a downside and that is that people ringing you could be charged up to $25 a minute from a telstra landline (That is Telstra's Fault, not the Satphone). However, there is a solution to this and that is if someone wants to contact you, they can either sms you (normal cost) email you with a special satphone email address, or go to TC Communications website and send you a FREE sms so you can then ring them to save them paying big costs on a phone call.
Your cost will only be 0.70c a minute from ANYWHERE in the world, or 0.90c a minute to a mobile phone. Now, that is fantastic !!
If you are thinking of getting a Satphone, please think about using the SPonsor of the Website as they are well worth it, I assure you. If you do happen to ring them to purchase, I would suggest you mention the Website (and me) so they know that there sponsorship is working. I just think that we should appreciate good service and use it when we can.
I can try and answer questions if you need.
Kind Regards
Gary
Webmaster said
11:47 AM Aug 3, 2011
That’s fantastic news, Dunco. We are delighted that you are clearly so happy with your prize and that it is obviously going to be well used. It sounds like a great piece of equipment. I would certainly like to echo your appreciation of TC Communications in supporting the ‘Seeing Red’ competition with such a sensational prize. All in all, the competition was an outstanding success. However, for all of you still recovering from the disappointment of not taking out one of the prizes, be not downhearted! I am happy to announce that a new photographic competition will get under way on September 15 with another truly amazing top prize up for grabs. More details to follow in due course. So keep snapping everybody. As a final word on ‘Seeing Red’, I would like to thank once again all of our wonderful sponsors - TC Communications, Robyn Scotland and her SmartKlean Laundry Ball, and author Berni Homan – as well as our ever-industrious judge Steve Jones, everyone who voted and , of course, all of you who made the competition so very enjoyable by entering some truly amazing shots. And finally, of course, a huge congratulations to Dunco and to Peter and Margaret for submitting the winning shots.
villatranquilla said
02:36 PM Aug 3, 2011
thanks Dunco for such a comprehensive post - I don't believe you can compare a sat phone to an EPIRB - us having an EPIRB would not have enabled our son to contact us last year when their full term baby was stillborn - luckily we were contactable by landline and mobile allowing us to get to Victoria from Perth in a couple of days. I understand that there are conditions that at times will make a sat phone un-usable but this is still better than relying on mobile connections - the extra expense is the price we will pay for peace of mind and security thanks
Happywanderer said
04:24 PM Aug 3, 2011
Hear Hear Dunco. Sponsors for these competitions need to be congratulated and made known to all of us. They do a great job and by all accounts well above what is normal from any retail outlet. Good on them and hope they get lots of sales from having been so generous.
blaze said
05:39 PM Aug 3, 2011
I also have just purchased one of these phones and am very happy with it but it is not a replacement for an epirb. They are two totally different forms of communication. If I was in a remote area and in a life threatening situation I would set off my epirb first ( that starts a response) and then follow up with a sat phone call or even a hf radio call. I carry all 3 units because I do a lot of solo travel and you can never have to many forms of asking for help if you ever need it (thankfully I never have yet) cheers blaze
Travel Bug said
09:45 PM Aug 3, 2011
Thanks Dunco for a very informative post.
You cleared up so many points that I have wondered about.
Hope you really enjoy your well deserved prize.
Cheers. Pam.
Cruising Granny said
09:59 PM Aug 3, 2011
What a bonus Dunco. Well done on your feed back. Why can't the telco's operate on the same principles of the satellite phone charges? You've certainly scored very well, and the service you received seems to have been a bonus. Thanks for the description of how it all works. A worthwhile investment if going outside normal mobile phone range. Enjoy your prize.
landy said
10:16 PM Aug 3, 2011
Thanks Dunco that answerd a lot of questions, we intend to get one as well befor we take of next year.
Cheers Dave
Les_Donz said
11:22 PM Aug 3, 2011
Thanks Dunco for that feedback and congrats on winning. Les is very keen on us purchasing a sat phone before we travel so I will share this information with him. This is a great start to our plan. Hugs Donz
jimricho said
07:39 AM Aug 4, 2011
Congrats from me too on your win.
Also on your excellent post explaining the very different roles of satphones and EPIRBs
Jim
Vic said
08:18 AM Aug 4, 2011
Congratulations from me also Dunco and the great explantion on how they operate etc. I've always wondered about them but never been sure what they were all about. A well deserved win too, that photo still blows me away whenever I look at it, must look great up on your wall!
Dunco said
10:21 AM Aug 4, 2011
It certainly is Vic. And as I said, I am only too glad to answer questions about the phone for those that are a little unsure.
Cheers team
blaze said
05:54 PM Aug 4, 2011
Dunco wrote:
It certainly is Vic. And as I said, I am only too glad to answer questions about the phone for those that are a little unsure.
Cheers team
Hi Dunco
Have been able to call telstra pre paid mobile phones, I havnt been able to yet. Can call telstra mobiles on a plan and any land line I have tried.
cheers
blaze
Cruising Granny said
08:17 PM Aug 4, 2011
Dunco wrote:
It certainly is Vic. And as I said, I am only too glad to answer questions about the phone for those that are a little unsure.
Cheers team
Nice photo Dunc on the front page of the GN site. Very handsome. Enjoy.
Dunco said
10:12 PM Aug 4, 2011
Hahaha...Thanks CG....I actually met you in Cairns a few years back
And Blaze, I am not sure what you mean ???
blaze said
12:32 AM Aug 5, 2011
If you have a friend with a pre paid telstra phone (one of the ones you keep putting credit on by 1- topping up on the internet 2 - buy credit from the post office etc), try to ring them. My wife uses a prepaid testra phone and I cant ring her phone (comes up with a message) but I have no problems ring a telstra mobile on a monthly plan (can ring my mobile and its on a 49 a month plan). these are just examples. Still love my Ph, Have put all the state flying doc numbers in and a couple of police stations that I have manage to get the numbers to, along with family and friends, my mechanic, all saved to the address book. My mechanic probably wont be happy if I need to ring though as he is in hobart and I most like be in the middle of the country cheers blaze
Dunco said
10:23 AM Aug 5, 2011
I get it now Blaze....you are saying that you cannot ring a prepaid Telstra mobile from your SatPhone ?
I will test it later and try to ring my son...
And they also supplied me with all the emergency numbers such as police, flying doc, rural fire etc etc...in each State. Which I will enter into the phone later after I do my lawns
gubby said
11:35 AM Aug 5, 2011
Dunco wrote:
Which I will enter into the phone later after I do my lawns
You take your lawns with you???
Dunco said
01:18 PM Aug 5, 2011
gubby wrote:
Dunco wrote:
Which I will enter into the phone later after I do my lawns
You take your lawns with you???
Nah...just home foir awhile. Daughter gets engaged in a few weeks, then off to Pt Macquarie
Dunco said
10:55 AM Aug 12, 2011
Has anyone else thought of getting one of these since my report.
Just curious ????
Travel Bug said
06:30 PM Aug 12, 2011
Hi Dunco
I was very impressed with your explanation of how the Sat Phone works....
And yes...thanks to you, it is on my list of things to buy.
Cheers. Pam.
Gerty Dancer said
10:16 PM Aug 12, 2011
This thread has been so informative... thank you! We didnt get a sat-phone in the mistaken belief they cost over $1000 and ongoing fees too expensive to use. Now rethinking.
Dunco said
10:18 PM Aug 12, 2011
Thanks. I was of the same opinion and I am glad I have given people some info that may help them in their travels.
sandsmere said
10:50 AM Aug 13, 2011
Thanks Dunco . Got me thinking again now too .
beiffe said
02:27 AM Apr 14, 2013
I have just seen this post and had decided to not get a phone even though I will be more than three months soon without any means of contacting through phone or email etc but will now look again as I was not prepared to go to all the trouble for 3 or 4 months. I was prepared to take the chance even though I will be the only one on the property for about one month of the time. Regards Brian
beiffe said
02:39 AM Apr 14, 2013
Could not find a list of sponsors on greynomads home page so had to do a search in google LOL. Their web site is scant on information such as cost etc so I have sent them an email looking for info. Regards Brian
sandsmere said
03:39 PM Apr 14, 2013
I got the subsidy approval on Friday . Getting the phone through ClientSat .
G'day team,
Yesterday I picked up my Satellite Phone from TC Communications after it was kindly donated to the Grey Nomad Website as the first place prize for the recent "Red" Photo competition. A really big thank you Cindy, TC Communications and everyone that voted for me.
I went to Auburn (Sydney) to collect the phone as they offered to show me how to use it and to say that the people there were fabulous is an understatement. Diana Minglis and Mark Nowakowski are a credit to their employer.
I did not know a lot about Satellite phones and thought that they would actually be a little bit expensive for me, BUT, now I have been suitably educated in them I would suggest people really think about getting one if they are travelling into areas that may not receive phone reception and where you are a little concerned and may need emergency assistance in remote areas.
The phone is valued at $599 which is on a par with an EPIRB, sometimes cheaper.
Now, the BEST thing about the phone which I did not know, is that there are NO ONGOING costs like a normal mobile phone. So, no monthly fees...Bloody bonus !!!!!
They gave me 25 prepaid units (minutes) for free and I also purchased another 25 minutes which cost me an extra $22.65. Now, these prepaid units last for 2 years, yes, 2 YEARS !! Unlike mobile phones which run out in a month or so.
I can use this phone Anywhere in the world (except the USA as you are not allowed prepaid there, but can get post paid). All you have to do is be able to see the sky and lift up the antenna and off you go !!
I believe this to be far more beneficial than an EPIRB as EPIRB's can only be used in an emergency and I don't think emergency services would appreciate travelling out into the bush if you had a flat tyre !! But with the SatPhone, you could just ring someone instead of emergency services.
Now there is a downside and that is that people ringing you could be charged up to $25 a minute from a telstra landline (That is Telstra's Fault, not the Satphone). However, there is a solution to this and that is if someone wants to contact you, they can either sms you (normal cost) email you with a special satphone email address, or go to TC Communications website and send you a FREE sms so you can then ring them to save them paying big costs on a phone call.
Your cost will only be 0.70c a minute from ANYWHERE in the world, or 0.90c a minute to a mobile phone. Now, that is fantastic !!
If you are thinking of getting a Satphone, please think about using the SPonsor of the Website as they are well worth it, I assure you. If you do happen to ring them to purchase, I would suggest you mention the Website (and me) so they know that there sponsorship is working. I just think that we should appreciate good service and use it when we can.
I can try and answer questions if you need.
Kind Regards
Gary
That’s fantastic news, Dunco. We are delighted that you are clearly so happy with your prize and that it is obviously going to be well used. It sounds like a great piece of equipment. I would certainly like to echo your appreciation of TC Communications in supporting the ‘Seeing Red’ competition with such a sensational prize. All in all, the competition was an outstanding success.
However, for all of you still recovering from the disappointment of not taking out one of the prizes, be not downhearted! I am happy to announce that a new photographic competition will get under way on September 15 with another truly amazing top prize up for grabs. More details to follow in due course. So keep snapping everybody.
As a final word on ‘Seeing Red’, I would like to thank once again all of our wonderful sponsors - TC Communications, Robyn Scotland and her SmartKlean Laundry Ball, and author Berni Homan – as well as our ever-industrious judge Steve Jones, everyone who voted and , of course, all of you who made the competition so very enjoyable by entering some truly amazing shots.
And finally, of course, a huge congratulations to Dunco and to Peter and Margaret for submitting the winning shots.
thanks
Good on them and hope they get lots of sales from having been so generous.
cheers
blaze
Thanks Dunco for a very informative post.
You cleared up so many points that I have wondered about.
Hope you really enjoy your well deserved prize.
Cheers. Pam.
Why can't the telco's operate on the same principles of the satellite phone charges?
You've certainly scored very well, and the service you received seems to have been a bonus.
Thanks for the description of how it all works. A worthwhile investment if going outside normal mobile phone range.
Enjoy your prize.
Thanks Dunco that answerd a lot of questions, we intend to get one as well befor we take of next year.
Cheers Dave
Also on your excellent post explaining the very different roles of satphones and EPIRBs
Jim
Cheers team
Hi Dunco
Have been able to call telstra pre paid mobile phones, I havnt been able to yet. Can call telstra mobiles on a plan and any land line I have tried.
cheers
blaze
Nice photo Dunc on the front page of the GN site.
Very handsome. Enjoy.
And Blaze, I am not sure what you mean ???
cheers
blaze
I get it now Blaze....you are saying that you cannot ring a prepaid Telstra mobile from your SatPhone ?
I will test it later and try to ring my son...
And they also supplied me with all the emergency numbers such as police, flying doc, rural fire etc etc...in each State. Which I will enter into the phone later after I do my lawns
You take your lawns with you???
Nah...just home foir awhile. Daughter gets engaged in a few weeks, then off to Pt Macquarie
Just curious ????
Hi Dunco
I was very impressed with your explanation of how the Sat Phone works....
And yes...thanks to you, it is on my list of things to buy.
Cheers. Pam.
Thanks Dunco . Got me thinking again now too .
I was prepared to take the chance even though I will be the only one on the property for about one month of the time.
Regards
Brian
Their web site is scant on information such as cost etc so I have sent them an email looking for info.
Regards
Brian
I got the subsidy approval on Friday . Getting the phone through ClientSat .