GL: An OPTION to Ham and Marine SSB Radio

[John & Judy Gill]

Another option for those who want the comfort of being able to  
communicate with the rest of the world and not have to put up with  
dead spots on cell phone coverage is to simply go out and buy a  
Qualcom 600 Satellite / Cell Phone combination unit.  One side is a  
Satellite phone with a special pull up antenna and the other side is  
a cell phone, but with higher wattage than most mini phones.  The  
unit can also be hooked up to an outside antenna (we haven't needed  
one).  Calls are direct to the person you wish to talk to, with no  
need for land line transfers, etc.  -- dial and talk or leave a  
message!  You can also use the satellite side to send and receive  
Emails on your laptop computer.  It is very portable, no study or  
licenses are required and you can take it anywhere, even on cruise  
ships after you are done doing the Loop.  Cost is about $1,000 and  
per minute on the satellite phone side is about 95 cents per minute  
and standard rates for the cell phone side.  Satellite phone works  
anywhere in the world where you have a clear view of the Southern sky.

John and Judy Gill
Two J's V
AGLCA Loopers