[GreenKeys] OT: emergency communications

[John Nagle]

http://www.satphonestore.com/iridium-9555-satellite-phone-standard-package-used.html

On 04/11/2017 07:23 AM, greenkeys-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
> From: dmm at lemur.com
> Subject: [GreenKeys] OT: emergency communications
>
> I have a question primarily for the amateur radio folks on the list.
> It's clearly off-topic, but this is the only venue I know of with
> a deep knowledge of ham radio.
>
> Since my wife's recent and unexpected death, I'm now living in our
> rural home alone.  It's 50 acres, and the terrain is complicated.
> To cover it all line-of-sight would take half a dozen positions.
> Adding to this, it's all within a valley in which there
> is basically no cell reception.  We have land-line telephone
> and terrestrial-radio-based Internet (ex-Motorola Canopy)
> at the house (only).
>
> This has been made more difficult for me because last year
> I injured my back rather severely.  So a real possibility now exists
> that if I'm out working on something remote from the house and
> re-injure myself so that I can't make it back, it might be too
> late before anyone notices and comes looking.
>
> What I need to find is some kind of device that I can carry with me
> on foot which can, perhaps with the aid of a base station at the house,
> permit me to make an outgoing emergency call (or at least send a signal).
> It can't require line-of-sight, and it can't depend on the cell network.
>
> What, if any, are my options?
>
> Thanks very much for any and all advice.
>
> Regards,
> David M.

    I'd suggest an Iridium phone.  They can be had for about $850.

http://www.satphonestore.com/iridium-9555-satellite-phone-standard-package-used.html

https://www.amazon.com/Iridium-9505A-Satellite-complete-package/dp/B000S2AVBS

These connect directly to satellites and will work anywhere on the
Earth's surface where you can see the sky.  The airtime rates are 
several dollars a minute, but you can buy a prepaid SIM card and not use 
it much.

				John Nagle