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Dave Kresge is the author of the just published Bimini Cruising Guide, the only in-depth guide to the island of Bimini in the Bahamas. A former corporate executive, he is currently a marine writer and marketing consultant living in Fort Lauderdale.

When not working he can be found on his boat Velvet Elvis.

Is it time for a portable satphone?
by Dave Kresge

After fits and starts, and one well-publicized early failure, truly portable handheld satphones are finally catching on.

There are two main providers, Globalstar and Iridium, which offer truly portable handheld satphones that are as easy to use as a regular cellphone. Both systems rely on a network of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to provide coverage. The major difference between the two is coverage. Iridium offers truly global coverage including the poles. Globalstar, in contrast, covers over 100 countries on 6 continents and typically well offshore. Depending on where you intend to travel, this may or may not be a factor. Globalstar phones are typically less expensive, around $500, while Iridium phones are approximately $1,500. Both offer a number of rate plans with reasonable per minute charges relative to satellite communications. Data communications options are available and Globalstar phones can be used as a regular cellphone when in range of cellular.

Both systems are taking off with a broad range of users. For mariners the possibilities are many. First and foremost is long distance voice and data communications, even while at sea. You will no longer be tethered to the local phone system. Satphones are also an excellent safety addition to any vessel. But beware, they do NOT replace the primary methods for emergency communications – VHF, SSB or a 406EPIRB. Remember, on a satphone you can only contact one phone number at a time. By definition, you cannot broadcast a system-wide emergency call as you can on VHF, SSB or with a 406 EPIRB. A satphone will also be useless for contacting nearby ships unless they too are equipped with such a phone. So the best way to think of them is as an addition to traditional safety communications, not as a replacement.

My own personal experience with the phones has been very positive. As the author of the Bimini Cruising Guide, I was spending quite a bit of time offshore of Florida and in the western Bahamas. I chose the Globalstar phone because of its lower up-front price. The coverage differences in my case were not a factor, since both systems covered my intended cruising grounds. Readers should not take this decision as an endorsement of one system over the other, it was simply that in my particular case, Globalstar made the most sense. For others, Iridium will be more appropriate.

The first thing you must remember is that these phones, unlike regular cell phones, require line of sight to a satellite. Offshore this is not an issue. On land it sometimes is necessary to move away from nearby buildings. In my case, the few times I could not get a signal were on land and a stroll down to the docks or other open area quickly rectified the situation. This shortcoming, while minor, does illustrate the fact that satphones will not replace regular cellphones. Call quality was excellent, as good or better than my regular cellphone. The one quirk is that like GPS, when you first power them up it may take a few seconds to lock onto a satellite before you can call.

As mentioned in the opening, the industry initially got off to a rocky start with one of the early providers going bankrupt. While things seem to have improved and usage is growing, it is still something you should factor into your purchase equation.

All in all, portable satphones are a welcome addition to the range of communications possibilities available to yachtsmen. While they may not be for everyone, they are definitely a worthwhile option for certain cruisers.