Posted by Geoffrey Schultz (geoff.freedom@geoffschultz.org>)
I have an Iridium phone aboard for safety and the occasional phone
call home. I called on 12/31/2004 to refill my pre-paid card, but
Outfitter Satellite, was closed for the holidays. When I got
through today I was informed that as of 1/1/2005 minimum size refill
that you can get is a $500 + $40 tax! It used to be $200.
For $200 I’m willing to have a sat phone aboard for safety and
saying hi to mom & dad every once in a while. But $500 is pushing
the limit. I just don’t need 500 minutes of talk time. I’m sure
that lots of other cruisers are in the same situation.
So, if you fall into the category of people that consider this a
stupid rate plan, feel free to send e-mail to
sales@… and marketing@… and let
them know what you think. I know that I did. I don’t know that it
will do any good, but it’s at least worth letting them know what you
think.
– Geoff
Posted by Michel Capel (mike_c_f35ck@…>)
Geoff,
I suppose the only thing you can do is give them your opinion with
your feet (i.e. go away). Apparently Iridium or their operators are
still not aware that they have competition now from Inmarsat-C and -
D. It’s a pity you have to buy new equipment, but on Immarsat you
can also send emails.
Mike
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Geoffrey Schultz”
<geoff.freedom@g…> wrote:
I have an Iridium phone aboard for safety and the occasional phone
call home. I called on 12/31/2004 to refill my pre-paid card, but
Outfitter Satellite, was closed for the holidays. When I got
through today I was informed that as of 1/1/2005 minimum size
refill
that you can get is a $500 + $40 tax! It used to be $200.
For $200 I’m willing to have a sat phone aboard for safety and
saying hi to mom & dad every once in a while. But $500 is pushing
the limit. I just don’t need 500 minutes of talk time. I’m sure
that lots of other cruisers are in the same situation.
So, if you fall into the category of people that consider this a
stupid rate plan, feel free to send e-mail to
sales@i… and marketing@i… and let
them know what you think. I know that I did. I don’t know that it
will do any good, but it’s at least worth letting them know what
you
think.
– Geoff
Posted by gjschouten (schouten@…>)
Mike,
Happy New Year.
Just so that everybody understands, following is I believe the situation:
Inmarsat C- is only usable for data transfer, no voice. -C is
qualified under the GMDSS system and has DSC functionality. Also -C is
not usable above 70 degrees North and South.
(-C satellites hang over the equator) Iridium is usuable at those
latitudes but is not qualified for GMDSS and has no DSC functionality.
Many commercial sailing vessels have -C on board because it is
mandatory to carry GMDSS approved systems but in pratice they use
Iridium because of lower operating cost and voice capability. The
newer Fleet 30, 50 and 70 systems may be better options.
Fleet has fast data capabilities, however Fleet 30 and 50 only work
in the “spot beams” and therefore only fleet 70 is qualified for GMDSS.
Fleet 70 also has voice capability.
Last, the GMDSS Satellite systems require fairly large domes on deck.
Perhaps time for a new Freedom 50-60? (Classic shape please)
Cheers,
Gio
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Michel Capel”
<mike_c_f35ck@y…> wrote:
Geoff,
I suppose the only thing you can do is give them your opinion with
your feet (i.e. go away). Apparently Iridium or their operators are
still not aware that they have competition now from Inmarsat-C and -
D. It’s a pity you have to buy new equipment, but on Immarsat you
can also send emails.
Mike
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Geoffrey Schultz”
<geoff.freed
om@g…> wrote:
I have an Iridium phone aboard for safety and the occasional phone
call home. I called on 12/31/2004 to refill my pre-paid card, but
Outfitter Satellite, was closed for the holidays. When I got
through today I was informed that as of 1/1/2005 minimum size
refill
that you can get is a $500 + $40 tax! It used to be $200.
For $200 I’m willing to have a sat phone aboard for safety and
saying hi to mom & dad every once in a while. But $500 is pushing
the limit. I just don’t need 500 minutes of talk time. I’m sure
that lots of other cruisers are in the same situation.
So, if you fall into the category of people that consider this a
stupid rate plan, feel free to send e-mail to
sales@i… and marketing@i… and let
them know what you think. I know that I did. I don’t know that it
will do any good, but it’s at least worth letting them know what
you
think.
– Geoff
Posted by Michel Capel (mike_c_f35ck@…>)
Gio,
Gee, I didn’t expect there was a whole new universe behind the words
Inmarsat! About the Freedom 50/60: The Sponberg design Open 60
Project Amazon with freedom rig is still for sale. look at
http://www.sponbergyachtdesign.com/ProjectAmazon.htm
And of course the Finot design Fox 50, look at
http://www.finot.com/bateaux/batproduction/lyman/fox50/foxis_ang.htm
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “gjschouten”
<schouten@g…> wrote:
Mike,
Happy New Year.
Just so that everybody understands, following is I believe the
situation:
Inmarsat C- is only usable for data transfer, no voice. -C is
qualified under the GMDSS system and has DSC functionality. Also -C
is
not usable above 70 degrees North and South.
(-C satellites hang over the equator) Iridium is usuable at those
latitudes but is not qualified for GMDSS and has no DSC
functionality.
Many commercial sailing vessels have -C on board because it is
mandatory to carry GMDSS approved systems but in pratice they use
Iridium because of lower operating cost and voice capability. The
newer Fleet 30, 50 and 70 systems may be better options.
Fleet has fast data capabilities, however Fleet 30 and 50 only work
in the “spot beams” and therefore only fleet 70 is qualified for
GMDSS.
Fleet 70 also has voice capability.
Last, the GMDSS Satellite systems require fairly large domes on
deck.
Perhaps time for a new Freedom 50-60? (Classic shape please)
Cheers,
Gio
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Michel Capel”
<mike_c_f35ck@y…> wrote:
Geoff,
I suppose the only thing you can do is give them your opinion
with
your feet (i.e. go away). Apparently Iridium or their operators
are
still not aware that they have competition now from Inmarsat-C
and -
D. It’s a pity you have to buy new equipment, but on Immarsat
you
can also send emails.
Mike
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Geoffrey Schultz”
<geoff.freed
om@g…> wrote:
I have an Iridium phone aboard for safety and the occasional
phone
call home. I called on 12/31/2004 to refill my pre-paid card,
but
Outfitter Satellite, was closed for the holidays. When I got
through today I was informed that as of 1/1/2005 minimum size
refill
that you can get is a $500 + $40 tax! It used to be $200.
For $200 I’m willing to have a sat phone aboard for safety and
saying hi to mom & dad every once in a while. But $500 is
pushing
the limit. I just don’t need 500 minutes of talk time. I’m
sure
that lots of other cruisers are in the same situation.
So, if you fall into the category of people that consider this
a
stupid rate plan, feel free to send e-mail to
sales@i… and marketing@i… and let
them know what you think. I know that I did. I don’t know
that it
will do any good, but it’s at least worth letting them know
what
you
think.
– Geoff