Satellite Phones: Communication in the Middle of Nowhere

Whether you are out on the water, out in the backcountry, or just in a location where your phone doesn’t work as reliably as you’d like, having Satellite Phones are an alternative means of communication can be the difference between life and death.

While this might sound a little over the top, it really isn’t. Things like heart attacks, bad falls, or hunting accidents are still a possibility, especially in remote locations. Today we are going to go over the importance of communications and some of your communication options.

Remote Communications

Being able to call someone for help is an often taken-for-granted aspect of modern life. On the highway, in town, or in the suburbs tow trucks, medical professionals, and other services can be as little as a few minutes away. But that only counts if you can actually call them for help.

The farther you get from these areas, the more difficult it becomes to contact other people. You could live a quarter mile from your neighbors, be in an area where there is no cell service, or be in an area where using your cellphone could result in you losing it to the environment.

Let’s quickly go over what some of the most common communication problems are.

Communication Problems

The largest communications related problem is availability. This is sometimes referred to as coverage, access, or connectivity but at the end of the day it comes down to whether you can send a message or make a call.

If your chosen communications tool doesn’t have coverage of the area you are in, it’s just another bit of weight you have to carry or another item you have to store that doesn’t provide any benefit.

Other problems like battery time, latency, or cost don’t matter as much as whether or not the device will work where you are going to be using it.

Communication Options

Now different options deal with coverage/connectivity differently and each of them has specific pros and cons when it comes to use and availability. We are going to go over these starting with the most common options and going to the least common options.

Phones/Cell Phones

Cell phones are easily the most common communication device available on the market. It feels like almost everyone has a cell phone. Now cell phones are a good basic communication tool since they come in at almost every price point and are supported to work even without a carrier for reaching emergency services.

However, cell phones only work when they have something to send data through. This is primarily cell towers and WiFi, but these can often have little to no coverage of areas that aren’t well traveled. You might be able to get a signal in one area and have no signal a few feet in any direction beyond it.

If you are in wilderness areas that are right by a city or town, the likelihood of you having cell reception goes up. But the farther away you get, the less sure your connections will be. If you are relying on WiFi to handle most of your messaging, etc. this can become extremely spotty if you don’t have a WiFi source.

Pros:

• Readily available

• Familiar use

• Works on two different infrastructures (cell towers, WiFi)

Cons:

• Does not work outside of their area of coverage

• Often not ruggedized

• Works only near more settled areas

Radio

The next most common communication device is personal radios. Two-way radios are one of the go-to answers for communications in remote areas. If you are in a remote homestead, you can have a full radio suite for a HAM radio. But if you backpacking in the Yosemite National Forest, you don’t want to carry that heavier HAM set.

You could have a vehicle mounted radio, but you will more than likely have a small handheld radio in order to save space. All of these are useful tools, but they can have a number of learning curves and restricted access.

This mostly comes with the more powerful radios (like the ones you’ll want to use in an emergency). The powerful radios have longer reaches when it comes to peer-to-peer communication. They can send a signal out farther and have a higher chance of reaching a repeater system, which allows you to extend your range, increasing the likelihood of getting help.

The problem is that you need a license to transmit on those radios. The FCC regulates HAM radio traffic and only very weak radios are not covered under the FCC guidelines. These lower power radios might have a range of a mile, but that’s only with direct line of sight with another user.

The practical reach of these radios is usually much less. Which doesn’t help in an emergency. This means getting a radio that can allow you to call for help takes a lot more effort, going through training, getting licensed, and purchasing the radio (ranging from roughly $20 all the way up to $500+ dollars depending on the setup).

Pros:

• Comes in multiple options (HAM, vehicle mounted, handheld)

• Generally available

• Affordable depending on model

• Somewhat familiar concept

Cons:

• Requires licensing for most good options

• Can be cost prohibitive

• Can require line of sight or repeater for best effect

• Limited range/battery life

Satellite Communications

Satellite phones are the more reliable option when it comes to coverage. As long as you have a view of the sky, depending on which satellite style your satellite phone uses, you will be able to get a text or a call out using your device.

There are two options available: Geostationary and Low Earth Orbit. Geostationary satellites need a broader line of sight in order for them to work since there is commonly only one satellite available, while Low Earth Orbit usually has multiple options, giving you more opportunities to connect with one.

While these satellites provide more coverage than cell towers and are favored for use in remote areas, there are several drawbacks. The more practical drawback is the higher latency of communications. This means that Satellite Phones messages transfer slowly, especially voice. 

This can impact how you communicate by breaking up the natural back and forth people have when talking. To mitigate this, text can be used instead on some models, with some Satellite options (like the Garmin InReach Messenger) relying entirely on text based communication.

Most satellite phones require a monthly subscription to keep the service active. This can be costly, especially since you have to pay even when you are not using it. Some satellite phones will even feature a GPS and mapping system in them to help keep you from getting lost while allowing you to send your general location to emergency services, should you need rescue.

Keep in mind this may be a few hundred square feet for your location but it certainly beats square miles in terms of how likely you are to be found. Some satellite phones can be paired with your own smartphone and are often used to help lower the cost of the subscriptions. 

Pros:

• Better coverage in remote area

• SOS capable

• Some models can be paired with cell phones

• Texting options available for a lower cost

• Better battery life

Cons:

• Expensive devices

• Experiences higher latency for communications

• Requires a license to own and use

• Monthly subscription required

Your Multi-Layered Lifeline

Having multiple ways to call for help is a great plan to have for any situation. Whether it’s getting lost in the woods, dealing with a natural disaster, or just plotting your course on the open water, having a means to contact other people will increase your safety while putting your mind at ease.

There are a lot of fun activities that can turn tragic just because of a missed phone call or text message. Being contactable and being able to contact others should not be taken for granted. That’s why we offer a number of Garmin Satellite Phones products like the GPSMAP 86i and the InReach Mini 2 to help keep you safe and secure in your outdoor adventures.