SPOT Global Phone

Hi,

The SPOT Global Phone is an interesting product. Are any of you using them?
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/spot....T-Global-Phone

I would think they would be great for use in contacting your retrieve crew
while in flight - especially during a long downwind dash. I believe the
Gordon Boetger and Jim Payne use satellite phones (I don't know what
make/model) during their long flights. Of course, it only makes sense to
try to make a call when flying in a 2-seater as the other pilot flies.

It would also be very useful during a landout in a very remote location. Or
during an emergency in a very remote location. In an emergency it would be
very nice to be able to have a live, back-and-forth conversation with
rescuers.

The SPOT Global Phone manual states, "Aircraft: FCC regulations prohibit
using your phone while in the air. Switch off your phone before boarding an
aircraft.". I suspect that rule is largely ignored. Or does that rule only
apply to cell phones?

The SPOT Global phone seems to be a very good value when compared to
competitive products, but both the phone and the service plans are somewhat
expensive.

Any thoughts?

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

On Sunday, November 2, 2014 12:09:04 PM UTC-6, Paul Remde wrote:
Hi,

The SPOT Global Phone is an interesting product. Are any of you using them?
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/spot....T-Global-Phone

I would think they would be great for use in contacting your retrieve crew
while in flight - especially during a long downwind dash. I believe the
Gordon Boetger and Jim Payne use satellite phones (I don't know what
make/model) during their long flights. Of course, it only makes sense to
try to make a call when flying in a 2-seater as the other pilot flies.

It would also be very useful during a landout in a very remote location. Or
during an emergency in a very remote location. In an emergency it would be
very nice to be able to have a live, back-and-forth conversation with
rescuers.

The SPOT Global Phone manual states, "Aircraft: FCC regulations prohibit
using your phone while in the air. Switch off your phone before boarding an
aircraft.". I suspect that rule is largely ignored. Or does that rule only
apply to cell phones?

The SPOT Global phone seems to be a very good value when compared to
competitive products, but both the phone and the service plans are somewhat
expensive.

Any thoughts?

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

Reviews from REI Customers, poor performance.

http://www.rei.com/product/860468/sp...ne#tab-reviews

Glidergreg

Hi Greg,

The reviews for techno-nerds on cnet, etc. are quite positive. I suspect
the negative reviews were by customers who didn't get the antenna oriented
correctly and did not have a clear view of the sky. But who knows...

Best Regards,

Paul Remde

"glidergreg" wrote in message
...

On Sunday, November 2, 2014 12:09:04 PM UTC-6, Paul Remde wrote:
Hi,

The SPOT Global Phone is an interesting product. Are any of you using
them?
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/spot....T-Global-Phone

I would think they would be great for use in contacting your retrieve crew
while in flight - especially during a long downwind dash. I believe the
Gordon Boetger and Jim Payne use satellite phones (I don't know what
make/model) during their long flights. Of course, it only makes sense to
try to make a call when flying in a 2-seater as the other pilot flies.

It would also be very useful during a landout in a very remote location.
Or
during an emergency in a very remote location. In an emergency it would
be
very nice to be able to have a live, back-and-forth conversation with
rescuers.

The SPOT Global Phone manual states, "Aircraft: FCC regulations prohibit
using your phone while in the air. Switch off your phone before boarding
an
aircraft.". I suspect that rule is largely ignored. Or does that rule
only
apply to cell phones?

The SPOT Global phone seems to be a very good value when compared to
competitive products, but both the phone and the service plans are
somewhat
expensive.

Any thoughts?

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

Reviews from REI Customers, poor performance.

http://www.rei.com/product/860468/sp...ne#tab-reviews

Glidergreg