LittleChief Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 I've been down to Flamingo a couple times and I am headed there again in December. This time I would like rent a sat phone for piece of mind. Does anybody have suggestions on a good company to rent the phone from? I would prefer not to have to buy prepaid minutes, as I expect to not use the phone, unless there is an emergency. I mainly want the phone in case somehow I have boat problems way up in Whitewater where I fish. When you guys go, do you bring sat phones or an alternative source of communication? I don't think my hand held VHF will be able to work way up in the backcountry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 How about a friend that does same kind of fishing or offshore stuff,make a deal to borrow the phone for some good wine,beer etc.? If you in the outback a lot I would just get a sat phone and be done with the issue and have peace of mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleChief Posted October 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 Most of my buddies fish inshore around TB, and I only go to Flamingo once a year. I think renting a phone is the best option for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason p Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 If you feel the need for a phone than by all means do it... Do you have a push pole? A 36" Metz antenna zip tied to the end of a push pole will give you all the range you need anywhere I've ever been in ENP. You just need to get a length of co-ax to go between the antenna and the VHF, I have 30'. Plus you can keep the whole set up on the boat at all times. I also have an ACR ResQlink, this is the safest way to do it, bar none. $250 and your good to go if things get ugly. If interested do your research between EPIRBS/PLB and satellite/GPS messengers (spot, delorme, etc...) Don't let somebody in REI or West Marine tell you they're the same thing, they definately are not. I live 10 miles from the park, if you want, you can PM or call and give me your float plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleChief Posted October 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2016 Jason- very much appreciate your feedback. I am going to go the push pole antenna route. I believe the pole is 22' long so I should be good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason p Posted October 11, 2016 Report Share Posted October 11, 2016 Be sure to test it out before your trip, I ordered my coax online from a cable company and had them install the appropriate connectors. You can lose a lot of signal strength through connections so I didn't want to have my possible rescue hinging on my very remedial soldering skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 I used to do the same thing..need to set up a similar set up....for my skinny mini....there are some coaxil cables sold at WM. I tested it every few trips and I could reach Marco SEA-TOW from the mouth of the chatham River in Chokoloskee. dc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy114 Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 i really think owning a delorme inreach is the way to go. just do the month to month plan so you don't pay for months you aren't going. its really to affordable to not have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 1 hour ago, johnboy114 said: i really think owning a delorme inreach is the way to go. just do the month to month plan so you don't pay for months you aren't going. its really to affordable to not have one. I have one...but, a radio is a good alternative...I felt the SAT phone did not justify the cost. dc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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