Reliable sat phone service in PNW

[Dan Zulu]

Hello,

I want to buy a satellite phone for use in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and possibly British Columbia.

I used older Irridium sat phones in Asia in the military and either the service or the phone (or both) were unreliable in my opinion. I’m looking for advice from people who have actually used their sat phones in the PNW and been satisfied with them.

 

[pluton]

No direct experience, but I'd check Iridium because it's probably the only game in town. Inmarsat phones require a more and more lower-to-the-horizon clear path the farther north you get.

 

[BigJimCruising]

No direct sat phone experience but now that I live in the PNW and use ham radio up here I wouldn't get a phone. I'd get one of the pocket sat units that can send text messages. It's easier to get a small data packet out then a full voice call. The problem here is the dense forests with no good view of the sky and thus no clear view of the sats either. When I start traveling full time with lots of time spent off roading that's what I'll get. Let us know what you finally choose and how it works for you.
Jim.

 

[lovetoski]

Check climbing forums, or guide services, they sometimes carry sat phones.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

What did you end up doing?

on a side note, One of the companies I do contract work for spends a lot of time in remote PNW environments. All employees carry the Garmin In reach(s) whilst working, remote contracts. Like fire lines, adventure races, etc. They work well.