Australian_Geographic_Outdoor_2016_07_08_

AG Outdoor | 105

outdoortech: remote area and emergency communications

SatSleeve that essentially turns your smartphone
into a satphone. Simply insert your iPhone or
Samsung Galaxy S3-S5 into the SatSleeve, down-
load the free app and you can use your device as
a normal mobile phone (when there is coverage)
or a satphone. It supports voice, SMS, email and
apps over the satellite network and retails for
around $999 (although can be had for less on
certain plans).
Another alternative is the $899 (or cheaper on
a plan) Thuraya SatSleeve Hotspot, which allows
users to operate their phones separate to the
satellite unit. This allows the satellite unit to be
positioned outside with line-of-sight to the satel-
lite, while calls can be made inside.
For those after a more traditional satphone,
there’s the Thuraya XT-PRO, which is a tough IP55

rated unit that weighs 212g and measures 128 x

53 x 27mm and retails for around $1750. Cheaper

again is the Thuraya XT-LITE at $799. It weighs

just185gandmeasures128x53x27mm.Both

are GPS enabled.

Thuraya plans range from $30-65 per month

with calls 80-99c per minute. Alternatively, you

can opt for a casual plan with a $25 connection

fee, $15 monthly access fee and 99c per minute

calls.

SATELLITE MESSENGERS

If you don’t have a need for reliable voice com-

munications there are a few affordable alterna-

tives to buying a satphone that will still allow you

to keep in touch with those back home.

Devices such as the GPS-enabled SPOT Gen3

Satellite Messenger, for example, allow the user

to check-in with family and friends and send

pre-programmed messages. The SPOT 3 also

allows others to track your location, so you can

share your adventure with online maps. Most

importantly, in the event of an emergency it can

send your GPS coordinates to emergency

responders. Cost is around $200 and there’s an

annual subscription fee of around US$150.

PLBS

So you don’t want to talk to anyone when you’re

out on your adventure, or check emails or post

photos, but if something goes wrong, you

become stranded or suff er some form of a medi-

cal emergency, you’re still going to need to get

the word out, along with your location. That’s

when you’ll need a Personal Locator Beacon

(PLB).

A PLB is essentially a smaller version of an EPIRP

(Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)

that transmits a signal on the 406MHz radio

bandwidth to alert search and rescue services

when there’s an emergency. While EPIRBs are

generally used on boats, and are registered to a

particular vessel, PLBs are designed to be carried

on your person.

A great example of a compact and tough PLB

is the Australian designed and made KTI Safety

Alert PLB SA2G. This unit weighs just 140g and

measures 88 x 64 x 31mm. It comes with a cam-

era-style carry pouch with a belt loop and a lan-

yard, and is ideally suited to users including bush-

walkers, four-wheel drivers and cross-country

skiers. There’s an optional strap so you can attach

it to your arm.

When activated, the KTI Safety Alert transmits

your location directly to the worldwide satellite

distress network every fi ve minutes. It features a

66-channel GPS that provides three-metre accu-

racy. Additional features include an impact-resis-

tant case, signal mirror and high-intensity LED

e. It is also self-buoyant, salt water and cor-

resistant to a depth of three metres, has a

r battery life and can transmit a signal for

than a day. It retails for $299.

h a relatively cheap purchase price and no

ription charges, a PLB is an aff ordable alter-

to a satphone for those who don’t need to

municate when travelling in remote areas,

alise the safety benefi ts of such a device.

are a number of satphone retailers and

providers in Australia. Many of the

isted in this story were sourced from

Satellite. See http://www.pivotel.com.au.

ormation on the SPOT Gen3 check out

ndmespot.com.

ormation on the range of Australian

ed and manufactured KTI PLBs and

head to kti.com.au.

TACTS

1.TheGPS-enabledSPOT

satellite messenger allows for

pre-programmed messages

to be sent.

2. Iridium off ers two hand-
   held satphone solutions with
   quite aff ordable plans.


3. The Aussie-designed KTI
   Safety Alert PLB is ideal for
   bushwalkers, 4WD travel and
   cross-country skiing; it sends
   your location to a worldwide
   satellite distress network
   every five minutes.
   4.Thuraya’s SatSleeve effec-
   tantca
   strobe
   rosion
   10 -ye
   moret
   With
   subscr
   native
   comm
   but rea

Therea

service

pricesl

Pivotel

For info

http://www.fi

For info

design

EPIRBs

CONT

tivelytuurnsyour smartphone

oao satph e.

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