Can you rent a satellite phone?

[cbmontgo]

A group of us are heading to Big Bend in a couple of months. This got me to thinking, can you rent a satellite phone just for a few days in case of an emergency? What kind of $$ are we talking about?

 

[rgsiii]

In accurate reloading.com, there are numerous threads on them. They are often used for trips to Africa. I would likely try to contact rangers or people in the area to see if cell phones might have better than anticipated reception.

Some of the many threads are here:

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8121043/m/914103584?r=511104494#511104494

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1411043/m/840109755?r=840109755#840109755

 

[Capt. Jim]

They rent them down here for boaters going to the Bahamas. I recall a price of $60/week plus usage, which I think was a couple of bucks/minute. Large security deposit required.

 

[cbmontgo]

Last time I was at Big Bend, there was absolutely no cell phone signal. I wonder what type of place in a city would rent one?

 

[wesintl]

I believe this is the place we rented them for CM, I think we did the gs550

http://www.satphonestore.com/index.cfm?page=rentals&CFID=279833&CFTOKEN=99171638

$20 for a week + air time @ 1.25 min doesn't seem bad

 

[LoneStar]

I was at Big Bend in the middle of August and I was able to get a good cell signal in the Chisos Basin. We stayed at one of the cabins in the basin and I did have to drive down into the valley a little ways to get a signal. I ended up seeing a sow with 3 cubs after making a call, so I was very glad I had to drive to find a signal. After all the summer rain, everything was green and there was an incredible water fall flowing off of one of the canyon walls entering the Basin. Unfortunately my wife got really sick on the drive in and we spent the next day at the emergency room in Alpine getting her rehydrated and then left the day after. The EMS ranger that checked out my wife did use a satellite phone to talk with a doctor. It really sucked to make that drive and not be alble to explore any of the park.

 

[DieselROCKS]

Around here, its the cellular places that cater to business customers that rent them most often, but once in a while you'll see them advertised in a phone place at a mall

 

[lathamb]

Go to globalstar.com and look for a dealer near you.

 

[GeoRoss]

When I used to rent phones I used these folks.

http://www.outfittersatellite.com/iridium.htm

Pretty easy deal, they mail the phone and you mail it back when you are done.

 

[cbmontgo]

I was at Big Bend in the middle of August and I was able to get a good cell signal in the Chisos Basin. We stayed at one of the cabins in the basin and I did have to drive down into the valley a little ways to get a signal. I ended up seeing a sow with 3 cubs after making a call, so I was very glad I had to drive to find a signal. After all the summer rain, everything was green and there was an incredible water fall flowing off of one of the canyon walls entering the Basin. Unfortunately my wife got really sick on the drive in and we spent the next day at the emergency room in Alpine getting her rehydrated and then left the day after. The EMS ranger that checked out my wife did use a satellite phone to talk with a doctor. It really sucked to make that drive and not be alble to explore any of the park.

Thanks for the great suggestions, guys! This is good stuff.

LoneStar, that sucks about your trip, as that is a hell of a long drive, even from Dallas.