Globalstar SatFi2

[Slatco]

Anyone have any experience with the Globalstar Satfi2? It is supposed to act like a satelitte wifi hub that you can connect to with your cell phone to make sat phone calls or even use the internet. Just curious if anyone has any real world experience with it?

[chickenminer]

My experience with a Globalstar sat phone in Alaska was not good. So in Alaska I would be reluctant to purchase
anything using the Globalstar system. Might be world of difference for you in BC.
I see the reviews on the Sat-Fi2 don't look to hot.

[Geowizard]

Think about this for a second;

A cell phone normally connects to a local cell tower within no more than about 20 miles. A Cell phone has a low power transmitter that only outputs power in milliwatts.

Geosynchronous satellites are 20,000 miles away - in outer space. The transmitters are 1000 times more powerful - running in the range of 5 watts.

The Iridium sat phones link with Iridium satellites which are low earth orbiting (LEOs) that are about 500 miles overhead as they pass over. Iridium sat phones are higher power. The iridium satellites use different frequencies than a cell phone. They are too far away to connect to a cel phone.

If the technology was possible, the telco's would have had this in place years ago.

- Geowizard

[Geowizard]

How it really works;

You can read about the technology here:

https://www.globalstar.com/en-us/corpor ... technology

So, you connect with a terrestrial (ground based) gateway. The gateway connects to the satellites. That's similar to Excede/Viasat. Reliability depends on the signal footprint when using a geosynchronous satellite. They say they cover 80 percent of the earth - they are using leos. Viasat is launching three new geosynchronous satellites to cover the planet over the next few years. The last satellite will cover Asia and Alaska.

Note also, the Excede/Viasat installation at your camp or home requires you to be within wifi distance of your modem. Globalstar connects a cel phone to a gateway through a local cel tower. The gateway connects you to Leos that allow you to network with the gateway. This requires the user to be within reach of a cel tower.

- Geowizard

[Geowizard]

They're leos;

So, yes they are leo satellites. The leo satellites orbit the earth. The signal comes and goes.

That has always been the problem with sat phones. The system has to switch the user on the ground to available satellites as they pass overhead. The signal will vary as a satellite approaches and passes overhead, then disappears over the horizon. They charge a "connection fee" each time you lose a signal and have to reconnect.

- Geowizard

[Slatco]

Ok thanks for the replys. I typically rent a iridium sat phone and it works ok however I am always on the lookout for something better. The local communications store told me I can trial a SatFi2 and if I like it, I can buy it. Guess that is what I will do. Will post a real world review when I am back.

[Jim_Alaska]

Good info. Chuck, thanks for posting it.

[Geowizard]

Jim,

Thanks for hosting the best GOLD Prospecting Forum on the Internet!

- Geowizard

[Slatco]

I ended up getting Xplornet Satellite Internet installed on my mine site this season with a outdoor modem. What a upgrade. I could do video chats on my phone or ipad with my wife where as before I could barely talk to her via Sat phone. I recommend this for any type of remote operation that has a "base".

Also sorry for not posting, I had the main page bookmarked and something changed about a year ago and I thought the site was dead. I will be more active again- this is one of the last forums still in existence. I know lots of people do the facebook thing but I prefer forums. Thanks to the host and moderator!

[gabbie]

are you in alaska how does the system work does it hook up to sat what is the cost can you use a cell phone with it
thanks doug