Hello? Hello Again?

    Knowing that communicating from a remote field camp will be challenging, the fabulous people from PolarTREC arranged for a satellite phone to be sent to me to practice with before I go. Its a loaner phone, and then I'll get a similar one once I get to Antarctica.

    Pelican case for a satellite phone.
    Pelican case for a satellite phone.

    At times, figuring out the phone has been a little adventure; a project or a fun puzzle to sort out. At other times, I've been so frustrated with it that I just need to walk away, and go pet my cat or something.

    The phone works fine if I want to actually use it as a phone. For example, I was outside on my deck, and I called my husband, inside the house. I could use it to call my mom again. I could use it to call you! All good!

    All of the parts to a satellite phone
    All of the parts do not a working satellite phone make.

    The trouble occurs when I'm using it like a dial-up modem to connect it to the computer to send emails with photos attached. Well, I mean, I'm trying to use it that way. That's where the wheels on the bus fall off.

    I've spent countless hours on the phone (a "real" phone) with a chap named Rob, who patiently walked me through steps that should have worked but didn't. I've taken it apart and reassembled it countless times. I had my engineer husband look at it. I even mailed it to the PolarTREC computer expert, Zeb, who studied it and sent me this email, which made me laugh quite alot:

    Email explaining satellite phone malfunctions.
    Email explaining satellite phone malfunctions.

    No bueno.

    My New Plan

    So, now my plan is to throw myself on the mercy of the USAP(abbreviation) United States Antarctic Program communications staff in McMurdo, in hopes that they will fix me up with a model of phone that can be used to send data, and not just to make emergency phone calls. I'm confident this plan is going to work!

    However... if you don't hear from me for a while when I'm out in the field, you'll understand why!

    Author
    Date
    Weather Summary
    Warm, smoky from wildfire.
    Temperature
    82°F

    Comments

    Jen Hladun

    Oh Lucy - what a pain! I really hope you can send pictures - I can't wait to see them!

    Guest

    yorp

    juliaperiod2

    How expensive is this piece of equipment? does everyone on the expedition receive one?

    Miles Per. 2

    I would love to see you post a video of someone in the field using a satellite phone. Must be hard to have to use it.

    Per.2 Science

    How big is the satellite phone? The pelican case seems pretty large, I wonder if the satellite phone is similar in size to the case.

    John Per. 2

    Ms. Coleman
    I would like to know why you'd need that kind of phone when you're in Antarctica. Why can't you use a regular phone? Do they not work because of the temperature or there's no satellite service?

    Sam Period 2

    I enjoyed reading this article, while realizing that really looks confusing compared to the touch phones over here. I found it funny how many different things you have to attach to it. Very interesting and i liked all of the information!!!

    Eman Per.2

    I thought it was really funny how you said that when you were frustrated you would just walk away and pet your cat, but overall I hope everything works out for you and maybe the new phone will let you send pictures and data. Have a fun trip/expedition!

    Shane 2

    It has to be a real bummer to have a satellite phone that doesn't work. I do have one question about it however...
    have you tried turning it off and back on again?

    Mackenzie Period 2

    I hope your phone gets working soon or you get a new model. I'm wondering if that's the only kind of phone you can use - or is that just an example?

    Dylan Period 2

    Can you send text messages from you satellite phone, or is it just for calling people?

    Guest

    Mrs. Coleman,I really enjoyed how you explained how the telephone was hard to use and the troubles you had. Not that I enjoy your when you have a problem, but it's cool how you explained how it is. Good thing that you are patient because you would need patience to deal with that. Keep posting great entries.
    Sincerely,

    Patrick Y Period 2

    Michelle P2

    Has anyone tried making a more modern version? It kind of looks like the old indestructible Nokias from the 90's and early 2000's but a lot bigger. Also has anyone on the team have any other stories while they in possession of the trial phone in their hometown?

    Ellie per.2

    I think this article is very interesting. I kind of want to try out a satellite phone! Would they be like "unlimited" calling because its a satellite phone? Or do you have to pay or only have certain amounts of calls? Thanks for sharing! :)

    Michelle Per.2

    I hope the satellite phone starts to work better when you connect it to the computer. But at least you can still half use the *phone*. I wonder how they will fix the problem though?

    Lucy Coleman

    Hi Miles-
    I would love to film a video of someone using a satellite phone…. but I can’t use the satellite phone to send a file large enough to have a video in it! So, you’ll see any videos I make once I’m back to a place with better connectivity!

    Ms. C

    On Sep 2

    Lucy Coleman

    John-
    A few people asked about why this sort of phone is necessary. We are going to a place so remote, that there’s no access to a regular cell-phone network, so I either use this kind of phone, or none at all!

    The temperature is extreme, and will drain a battery much faster, but the lack of service is the primary problem.

    Ms. C

    On

    Lucy Coleman

    In response to the previous two questions, I’m estimating that the phone costs around $2000. The actual phone is about the size of a burrito, but it comes with a caboodle of wires and widgets for recharging the battery and to plug it into a computer.
    Ms. C

    On

    Lucy Coleman

    Janet—
    Thanks for the encouragement. I also think the folks at McMurdo will be helpful- we’ll all figure it out!

    Lucy

    On S

    Lucy Coleman

    Jen—
    Thanks- I’m optimistic that its all going to work just fine!

    Lucy

    On S

    Lucy Coleman

    MacKenzie—
    This was just a loaner phone, and I think its not very new. I’m hoping to be using a different/newer one when I’m down in Antarctica that can actually communicate with my computer… We’ll see!

    Ms. C

    On Sep 26,

    Lucy Coleman

    Michelle-
    Good comments! Other PolarTREC teachers have had to figure out satellite phones too, but mine seems to be a bit more problematic because we aren’t sure what model of phone I’ll be issued this time. Many researchers have been issued phones, but typically they are just the back-up way of making a phone call in case of an emergency, not for actually sending data with a computer. There aren’t that many emergencies, so I don’t know that these get used all that often even for making phone calls.

    Ms. C

    On Sep 2

    Lucy Coleman

    It is pretty expensive. To use the phone for a minute costs around a $1 or so. I can’t remember the exact amount- a lot!!
    Ms. C

    On

    Janet Warburton

    Hi Lucy.
    Just catching up on your journals. Yes, this sat phone thing was very complicated but I'm sure the tech folks at McMurdo will be there for you! Thanks for your hard work on trying to get it all to work. At least you can call the students, family, and such from Antarctica. It's all an adventure! :)

    Janet