Satellite based e-mail for Grand Canyon trip??

pcjeeper

Observer
All,

I know it's terrible that I'm even asking about this, but I need to get recommendations for a satellite based e-mail service. I am lucky enough to have pulled a permit for a Grand Canyon raft trip and will be out of touch for two weeks -- unfortunately, too long for me to ignore my e-mail altogether. What options are out there for a satellite provider that can allow me to hook up through my phone, iPad, computer, whatever and check e-mail once a day. Thanks for any suggestions.

I suspect the geography of the Canyon may pose its own problems, but I'll start by figuring out what, if any, devices are out there...

Sincerely,
Matt
 

Chris Boyd

Explorer
I doubt your going to fit a ground control unit in your raft... At least not a VSAT unit. The best option, albeit expensive is the BGAN service pictures on that page linked above. The speed of BGAN is such that you'll be able to get outlook or other applications to function, but it's a metered service. So you'll pay per megabyte transmitted. Its can be frustratingly slow at times as well, especially knowing the "meter is turning".

The other issues is that inmarsat BGAN is based on a geostationary satellite and therefore has a consistent look angle of about 30-45 degrees to the south-southwest. This will prove to be a challenge in the canyon itself. If you can do limit your activity to those times when you'll have this look angle, you'll save a lot of frustration trying to get online. I use an iPhone app (such as dishpointer) to know when I have a good angle and no obstructions.

There are a couple of other options than BGAN. The next band to try is in the low-earth orbit (LEO) and uses the L-Band as well. These satellites are a constellation of cross-linked satellites, which pass over head. These are things like globalstar or iridium. The ones that hand held sat phones use. There are a couple of options here, but I like iridium the best. The network is not a broadband based network, rather it's circuit switched. That said, it does have some options for low speed data. The best option in this class, IMO, is the iridiumGo. While it's not speedy, it does have some options for checking email, getting weather, and light web browsing using optimized software. You might not get outlook going on your laptop, but you can use optimized versions of software that can work with gmail to download only headers. From there you can pick which messages to download. Iridium data channels are going to be minute-based and the speed of an old dial-up modem. They also have a voice app that can function as a sat phone from the iPhone or iPad.

You'll have a better chance getting a signal from a LEO sat down in the canyon, though it might fly out of view while the next one comes in. Given the others that have used sat phones down there, this is probably a better option than BGAN.

There are a number of service providers that have customized applications to work over low-speed sat links for overlanding. Check out OCENS. They have someone that comes on expo from time to time to talk about their applications and services.

If you just need to be able to two-way message, post to Facebook, Twitter, and have SOS capability, then I recommend inreach.

For me, I run the iridiumGo with an iPad mini. I forward my important email to gmail and fetch it there. You'll want to turn off other applications that are accessing over wifi, or they'll kill the link. In fact, I'd delete all non-essential apps so they aren't running in the background. I also carry an inReach for position and status reporting. Both the Go and inReach have SOS capability. InReach is probably a better tool for that since it's a personal device you'd have in your pocket.

Source: I'm a satellite tech specialist with a SAR team. I've run satcom from VSAT all the way down to RF line of site communications. Day job, I work for a satellite equipment manufacturer.
 

Chris Boyd

Explorer
Important to note that you can rent most of this stuff, too. Certainly handheld sat phones, BGAN - not sure of the iridiumGo, but I'm guessing someone does. Renting usually includes pre-paid airtime for voice and data. Again, I'd start with OCENS as they seem to cater to overland folks, but I've not worked with them directly.
 

Matt_OCENS

Observer
Matt, you can easily keep up on your email from any location in the world with simply an Iridium GO, your own smartphone, and our OneMail app.

OneMail is the only app available that will allow you to access a gmail account directly via a satellite phone data connection. We also just recently added the capability of sending photos (efficiently). You can see details on it here.

We rent the Iridium GO, which you can see here. If your trip is a one-off, it probably makes the most sense to just rent a unit. If you are in remote locations on a regular basis throughout the year, you might be better served by owning one. When you own one, the airtime plans are month to month, so you can switch plans at will each month or deactivate it whenever you want. There are also prepaid plans available.

For email via OneMail and for phone calls, the GO is great, particularly given the total size, weight, and coverage. What it won't do is load an actual web site, since the data speed doesn't support that. If you want a full fledged internet connection, then BGAN would be your solution, which is also a great platform, however you'd be adding more equipment weight (and cost). We rent BGAN terminals as well, which you can see here. If you go in this direction, I highly recommend the iSavi which the lightest (2 lbs.) terminal on the market to date.
 

Rando

Explorer
Just so you know - you are NOT going to be able to use a LEO satellite connection reliably from 90% of the Grand Canyon. In order to maintain a connection you need good sky visibility, something you almost never have from the bottom of the Canyon. The only thing that works occasionally are text messages or SBD packets, and even that is flaky. Don't waste your money renting a phone/hotspot that will almost never work.
 

Moenkopi

New member
In Reach Garmin Satellite Device works great in the Canyon. You can text anyone at will, and within minutes your text is received and your location is on a topographic map on the receivers Smart phone. Iridium Satellite phones also work in the canyon although they will cut out. Because the satellites fly pole to pole there is always a satellite in the sky to pickup. Just be patient. You can also text with the Iridium Satellite phone. Moenkopi Riverworks at moenkopiriverworks.com rents In-Reach Satellite Text Machines, or Iridium Satellite phones if you can pickup in person. $10/day. 928 526 6622
 

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