Satellite SMS Device on Playa?

[Corbett3000]

Hi Team,

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with using a satellite based SMS device while on Playa.

I'm going to be doing build and burn, which means off the grid for almost 2 weeks - and my wife is hoping she can reach me if she or my parents have a true emergency.

I'm looking at purchasing one of these: https://www.rei.com/product/194833/zole ... mmunicator

I suppose I'm asking has anyone had experience with the iridium satellite network on playa?

[Token]

If you can see the sky, it will work.

It’s older tech but still in running order.

BTW, even back in 2010 I had both cell and Wi-Fi service in the weeks before gate.

The closer to gate time, the more intermittent the service, but if you drove out to the depot, commissary, or other “wired” location, signals were good

If you don’t mind spending the $$, it’s a good insurance policy.

All things being equal, I’d spend that dough on the air-medevac insurance provider, whoever that is this year

[Drizzt321]

That sort of device should still work fine I'd expect, even being in low (not very low like Starlink) orbits. Even with that, it's still a very wide beam, and given the general prices on sat-phones and data/minutes, it's unlikely that there are many more users except for low volume stuff like the SMS or fairly small amounts of data, like you need, on iridium sats.

In terms of being notified of emergencies, https://burningman.org/event/preparatio ... y-contact/ is useful as well. More useful if you are in a Placed camp, or can give an address and landmark for your camp if you're there early enough when you still have sufficient cell signal.

[some seeing eye]

I have not used, but it should work.

Besides broadband internet satellite service from H*g*sN*t and the evil villain's St*rl*nk, old school Globalstar, Iridium, Inmarsat/Viasat, and others provide satellite voice and messaging.

The device you mention is on the SPOT network of Globalstar. Looking up Globalstar one would see that it communicates on about 1.61-1.62 GHz. There should not be any interference on-playa. You are going to need a way to charge it, it is unlikely to last 2 weeks.

The technical radio resources for the playa are the "Brc-Wifi-List" Google Group you can subscribe to and ask questions, and a new not proven Faceboo group Black Rock Desert Communications Working Group.

Thanks for working on build, have a great burn, and journal your participation for your return to family!

[fastgaz]

I used that device last year on the Playa. Worked perfectly.

[Molotov]

I have used satellite devices in the past-great when cell service goes to Hell. This year I am bringing an ACR Bivy Stick that can send and receive text messages, using the app on my phone to compose them and communicate to the device via Bluetooth. It also send GPS coordinates and has a HELP button that calls out search and rescue forces (which will be at your expense) My service plan got me the Stick for free with a one year commitment and $69.99 @ month, and provides unlimited send and receive texts. I plan on sharing the phone number with my camp mates prior to their arrival, if they need to receive an emergency message or send a reply. It's not instantaneous, there may be a little lag in messaging. Link to Bivy Stick site.

I have thoroughly tested out my Bivy Stick in various locales and vegetation, and I have a variety of mounts to ensure it can see the sky when I'm not carrying it clipped to my belt.