My virgin parents need to rent a satellite phone

[Talynt]

I'm bringing my parents this year, and they're incredibly excited. Being older and "responsible," my father WILL have to make at least 1 15 minute phone call sometime during the week to check in with the office and whatnot.

I know, I know.

We all have verizon phones, which may or may not work. he's totally willing to rent a satellite phone, but we've never done that and don't know what the deal is. Where should we rent from? What's a good incoming/outgoing rate?

I've heard that for iridium phones there's a number in arizona that charges you much less for incoming calls, but could someone with skype or voip call the international iridium number for next to nothing?

*DO YOU KNOW ANY REPUTABLE COMPANIES FOR US TO RENT FROM?*

or do you have any suggestions? Thanks, in advance

[Talynt]

Ha, this will probably be the last time in my life I'll be able to refer to "my virgin parents"

:D

[Lassen Forge]

LOL!!!

There are a number of places - the important thing is to pay the extra money and get an Iridium phone - do NOT go with te globalstar System. Until (or if) they ever get more birds in the air, they are essentially a non-operable system. I tried them 3 years ago (when they were better) and got 3-5 minute windows 4 times a day, and a couple 20 minute windows.

They're cheaper - but there's a huge reason.


Anyway, I used telestial when I got mine... but you need to shop around.

If the service were cheaper I'd just buy one and be done with it, but the phones are pricey, the service plans are worse. Unless you're working out there or something, or do a lot of outdoors stuff, it's cheaper to rent.

Also - if he's that responsible, he will likely need to call in more than just once (or may get stuck on the phone) so THEn it's worth getting a block of prepaid minutes rather than the PayGo (which IS 'spensive)...

Now watch - we'll have sterling cell reception all event long...

[SnowBlind]

I've heard that for iridium phones there's a number in arizona that charges you much less for incoming calls, but could someone with skype or voip call the international iridium number for next to nothing

The arizona number of Iridium is basically like an 800 number, meaning that the recipient pays the charges.

So if some one calls you thru that number, they only pay for long distance charges to Arizona (if any, and I'd think that Skype works as well), while you pay a high per minute fee (I believe $1.30/min, but that probably depends on your plan).

If they call you thru the regular number, you pay nothing, but the caller pays some exorbitant fee, depending on their carrier. Some charge as high as $10/min.

[Sham]

Another interesting thing that may work, is the bus into Gerlach. There is cell service there and he can take care of other business there or continue to Empire to buy Slim Jims and beer. I understand the bus is $10 for the ride for a round trip and re-entry in BRC.

[Playa Foot]

There is cell service on the playa. I have made and received calls there. The tower is someplace near Empire. Unfortunately it has a limited capacity so it gets overwhelmed during the week of Burning Man. If your dad wants to check in for no real reason a regular phone would be OK, if he is needed to respond for emergencies a sat phone would be necessary.

[MedullaB]

I rent a Sat phone when I go, Iridium works best. I'm sure one year we'll end up on the Playa and realize that cell phones work fine, but so far - no go...

They are expensive - I pay $200 + airtime.

I've seen camps place a sign out front of their camp "Need use of Sat phone" and I am sure someone has helped them out. I'd be more than willing to let someone use my phone if they were to pay for the air time at the time of use. If he only needs to make one call perhaps that'd work for him. PM me if you want to set something up.

[SnowBlind]

I'm sure one year we'll end up on the Playa and realize that cell phones work fine, but so far - no go...

That year was last year. There was at least AT&T reception on the playa. I believe some company set up a portable tower by the frog pond or somewhere. Obviously the capacity was limited, so it was hit and miss, but people definitely made phone calls.

I haven't heard anything definitive whether they are going to be out there again, or whether it was a one time thing.

[Talynt]

Does anyone know if Verizon specifically is working out there? I know att Iphones had 5 bars last year, but I never turned my phone on to see if there was a signal

[ckburn]

Talynt, don't rely on cell coverage. It will be spotty and overloaded at best. I rent from Roadpost and have had good luck. If your parents just need to make one or two calls, they can use mine. PM me if you want to set that up.

CK

[go-go Seniors 2]

[quote="Talynt"]Ha, this will probably be the last time in my life I'll be able to refer to "my virgin parents"

[/quote]
now that's scary, as my daughter insists that we not go to BM ! She's afraid we'll come back broken and scared and high. I keep telling her there are all sorts of folks for different types of strokes. We are going so we can take this event off our "bucket list". We may not be "angels" while there, but we definitely will stay out of real trouble. besides, we probably have to park ou RV in the outer 40s and it will take us all day to walk to the action!

[Sham]

now that's scary, as my daughter insists that we not go to BM ! She's afraid we'll come back broken and scared and high. I keep telling her there are all sorts of folks for different types of strokes. We are going so we can take this event off our "bucket list". We may not be "angels" while there, but we definitely will stay out of real trouble. besides, we probably have to park ou RV in the outer 40s and it will take us all day to walk to the action!

Bring bikes for getting around inside. Even those three wheeled old people bikes would work great. As far as crossing this off your bucket list, don't count on it people. You'll be planning your trip back out there next year---guarenteed!
Get there early and try to get a closer spot for your RV.

Oh, and since this is your first post--WELCOME!

[go-go Seniors 2]

[quote="Shambala"][quote="go-go Seniors 2"]
we probably have to park our RV in the outer 40s and it will take us all day to walk to the action! :D[/quote]
Bring bikes for getting around inside. Even those three wheeled old people bikes would work great. As far as crossing this off your bucket list, don't count on it people. You'll be planning your trip back out there next year---guarenteed!
Get there early and try to get a closer spot for your RV.

Oh, and since this is your first post--WELCOME! :D[/quote]

Thanks for the welcome. Any suggestions for us newbies of where to park. not too much loud stuff nearby, but we realize it will be "musical" everywhere. any available villages you know of that are semi sane?
go-go seniors

[Sham]

Thanks for the welcome. Any suggestions for us newbies of where to park. not too much loud stuff nearby, but we realize it will be "musical" everywhere. any available villages you know of that are semi sane? go-go seniors

I am sorry to be the one to break the news to you, but this event is nothing like what you have in your mind. You will find a nice quiet spot in the suburbs and your neighbors will be friendly people, most likely around your age. The music you'll levitate towards, will be stuff you can relate to. One year, while waiting at the gate, Burning Man radio was playing, Louis Armstong/Wonderful World. Later that week, the entire sound track to Oklahoma was blasted over the speakers.
Put those preconceived things out of your mind, keep that slate clear and prepare to be blown out of your socks!
Please let me know how things work out when you get back to defaultia!
Remember, open mind.
Sham...

[Lassen Forge]

VERY well said, Shambala!! ANd yes... Welcome home!!! ;)

The 2:00 and 10:00 "spokes" are loud - big sound camps are put there for that reason. Our village is between 3:00 and 3:30 @ Athens - while it can be noisy, it's not intolerable (I still get enough sleep to be up to watch sunrise!). I recommend not parking too far out, as (esp being new) you'll want to see what you can. Don't park too close to the portapotty banks (tho remember, pumpouts for am RV are both hard to come by and expensive!) and don't be overwhelmed. And remember, what you miss this year (and you will!), you can catch next year!!! ))grins((

Black Rock City is unlike anything anywhere, and is nothing like most folk imagine (you should see the stares I get at work when I tell folks I go - aparently it's on a lot of "bucket lists"...)... we tell people have NO expectations, and that's SO true - it's NOTHING like you can imagine. And I bet you'll have fun!!

And yeah, it's addictive. When I came, it was because as a kid we used to camp in the desert, so it was in a real sense a return to home. And it was. I took 2 years off (job issues) and longed to go back. Not saying you will - there are some folk who go, think "why the he!! did I di THAT??" and call it it. But if you've wanted to go that bad (why else would it be a bucket item??) I think you may find it's one of those things, like some of us other nuts, that plan part of their year around going back.

Best for me? A lot. Wait until you wake up to the silence, midweek, at 3 AM, you have a city full of people, other than murmur of conversations and the occasional boombox (and the far distant sound camps, tho even they usually slow down by then), walk outside, look up - and wish you'd brought a telescope. Alittle chilly (compared to 100 degree days) but it's absolutely breathtaking.

See you on Playa...
bb Sue