billulsund

I was curious and looked into this. The cheapest satellite phones out there run around $600 and then a minimum service plan with 10 minutes a month runs $40/mo. The $600 price tag is a bit steep, but if you do a lot of wheeling $480 a year is not too bad for the peace of mind knowing that if you do get really stuck in the middle of nowhere you can always call someone. I know where I wheel I very rarely get any cell reception, although I have a pretty good CB and can usually find someone on it.

Gee oh Dee

Like I suggested in my very first response, there are always ways to solve a problem. Whether its a satillite phone or a CB radio. Find what works for you. I never said this was mandatory for wheeling. But a GOOD source of communication, esp for trouble, is an essential.

If you are in AK for example, you can get homing beacons that will work ANYWHERE in the world, not just AK. They are expensive, but work anywhere.

I'm not saying every answer is gonna be practical for you and your personal application.

It was merely a suggestion. And it obviously spurred some though that yeilded some positive results. Now someone else may look at a satillite phone. Or a CB radio. Or what works for them.

At minimum this has got one person thinking. Maybe two?

Swamp Donkey

See i just live with verizon and its terrible service. 99% of the trucks i ride with have CB's, some might have cheap'os but mine is a 29 Cobra juiced up to 35 watts with a 250 watt Galaxy Linear sittin on top of it so, really if we have no service on our cells i got the CB to reach out and talk to someone if needed.

Rock Toy

Billulsund, the problem with this is it is 600 for the phone and 480 for the first year means you will be out 1080 I can use that kind of money, that is a ring & pinion change and a locker for one of my diffs. Or maybe another trip to Moab. Plus, what is the cost for additional minutes.

Gee oh Dee

Have you heard the user here who said he's had personal experience with a pull going bad causing a person to lose his bottom jaw? [that'll kill someone]

I bet that guy who lost his jaw would appreciate a satillite phone more than new parts or another trip to Moab.

Like its been said, no one is forcing you into this. People are still wheeling right now, without one. Its just a suggestion, and its just an internet thread.

Rock Toy

I didn't say anyone was forcing me into anything. I said, I have a lot better uses for my money than spending it on a sat. phone. As far as someone loosing body parts on a recovery, I've done a lot of them and I do it safely. What I was getting at is I'm not in high school, so if I felt that I needed to, I could afford the phone.

Gee oh Dee

Recovery doesn't hold the only chance of danger out on a trail. You are foolish if you believe nothing bad/dangerous can happen, especially in the remote areas where people wheel. Careful can only do so much.

Rock Toy

I didn't call you foolish, so don't call me names. If you want to carry a sat phone go for it. I don't need one!

Gee oh Dee

Hold on, pal, re-read what I wrote.

Are you suggesting that the only dangers involved in wheeling are when you are trying to get a truck out from being stuck?

Are you?

I never called you foolish, I stated that if you believe the only dangers out on the trail are when you are trying to recover a vehilce then you are indeed foolish.

I'm sure we can all agree there are other dangers.

Swamp Donkey

And these are the days of our lives....

Tankerblade

come on, stop bikkering like little girls. Sat phones are awesome to use, so are VHF radios, cell phones, Cb's, pigon messanger, whatever but they wont work all the time, Period. so deal with it. and if S*** did hit the fan with an injury or something then im sure one guy out of the group could get to a place of reception and call for a helicopter if its that bad. Stop argueing please so we can stop cluttering up this thread so it can maybe be useful for someone else

Rock Toy

As I stated, if you want a sat phone go for it. I don't need one.