Explorer Henry Worsley hopes to be the first to cross Antarctica unaided

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Icy race to the South Pole

Henry Worsley’s voice has the frayed quality of sound that’s traveled a long, long way.

“We are underway at last,” he huffs into a satellite phone, sounding tired after a day out on the snow. “The surface is kind, soft in places, but firm enough not to be totally demoralizing. My sledge is about 150 kilograms (about 330 pounds) in weight and I have to heave her over lumps and bumps.”

Then he brightens, saying, “Lots of familiar noises returned as I set off: the squeak of the ski poles driving into the snow, the thud of the sledge over each bump and the swish of the the skis gliding along.”

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XGate Satellite Data Service Keeps You Connected

WHY USE XGATE?

XGate satellite phone email is the easy way to access email while on the water or in remote locations. XGate is simply the fastest , easiest and most reliable satellite phone email available, saving you time, money and frustration.

Without XGate, satellite communication has a lot of hurdles: uncompressed email or web-browsing over slow data speeds means long wait times and expensive airtime bills.

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Canadian Artist Cory Trépanier Stays Connected in the Remote Arctic

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Connecting a Window to the Arctic

by Cory Trépanier

Seven weeks into my nine week Into The Arctic: The Last Chapter expedition and I found myself sitting on a desolate beach on Devon Island, along the famed Northwest Passage. I had covered over 16,000 kms so far through some of the most remote and spectacular corners of the Canadian North.

As an artist who came here to paint and film wild landscapes, I have been humbled and blown away at the same time.

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Satellite Connectivity in the Remote Amazon Jungle

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Deep in the Amazon Jungle of Brazil

11 December 2015

Seasoned adventurer James Ketchell’s latest challenge took him deep into the Amazon jungle of Brazil in search of the latest off-the-beaten-track experience for travel company Rare Adventures.

Throughout the two-week trip James wanted to share the amazing sights of the Amazon via social media, but with no connectivity in the area, he needed a satellite communications service that could work in the tough conditions of the jungle and cope with the intense and constant humidity.

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Astronaut Uses Sat Phone to Make First Call Back on Earth

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Astronaut Scott Kelly returns to Earth after 340 days in space

Welcome back to Earth, Astronaut Scott Kelly!

After a monumental 340 days circling 200 miles above Earth, Kelly touched down in Kazakhstan after accruing more time in space than any American before him.

Recovery crews hoisted Kelly and Russian cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Sergey Volkov out of the cramped Soyuz capsule after it successfully landed at 11:26 p.m. ET Tuesday.

He spent nearly a year on board the International Space Station during his fourth mission, sharing his home away from home with Kornienko.

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5 Men Attempt to Break the Transatlantic Rowing Record.

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Atlantic rowers past halfway point in fundraising challenge

14 March 2016: Record-making Atlantic rowers Team Essence have passed the midway point in their 3,308 nautical mile challenge.

Their achievement in the face of potential disasters including capsizing three times was celebrated in a tweet from British astronaut Tim Peake as the International Space Station passed over their position on 12 March – making him closer to the five-strong team than anyone on land.

The men’s 27.8 ft x 1.2 3.9 ft Ellida is the most connected rowing boat ever to attempt the crossing. With safety and the need to attract and update sponsors for their chosen charity, the NSPCC, at the forefront of their minds, Team Essence turned to Satellite Communications.

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Staying Connected on the Trail

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The iSatPhone Pro 2 is a wise choice for the Great Outdoors.

If you’ve embarked on high adventure, you know the dangers that can come from being out of cell phone range.  Making a trek without a working mobile phone and no way to communicate puts your life at risk if there’s no way to call for help. Fortunately, with advanced satellite technology, you can be prepared for whatever nature brings, even in the most remote areas.

The new IsatPhone Pro 2 builds on existing satellite communications, taking the capabilities of portable satellite phones to a whole new level. Easy to use in multiple languages, this Sat Phone provides the connectivity you need when you’re hiking or backpacking into the wilderness anywhere on the planet. The device functions on the far edges of the grid, and it is built to outlast extreme weather conditions.

With the new IsatPhone Pro 2, you’ll enjoy fast network registration, getting access to the satellite network in less than 45 seconds. Once you’re connected, you’ll have eight hours of talk time at your disposal, and you’ll have the ability to keep your phone on for up to 160 hours, in standby mode.

The IsatPhone Pro 2 operates via Inmarsat’s satellites, a global network with an average availability of 99.9 percent, ensuring that the network connection is reliable and the calls remain stable. That means you can depend on the satellite phone for a reliable connection, anywhere and anytime you need it. Even though you may have trekked far into the wilderness, you’ll enjoy high voice quality via this mobile device, making each call crisp and clear.

In addition to the clear connection you’ll experience, you’ll also be able to use your satellite phone in extreme conditions. The phone can withstand severe weather temperatures, continuing to function in climates as low as -20°C and in sweltering heat up to 55°C and more.

If you’re in the desert, you’ll be comforted to know that this satellite phone will resist the effects of dust and shock. The phone is also splash resistant, allowing you to continue to use the device in wet areas. It can tolerate humidity levels from 0 to 95 percent. This phone also offers a high-visibility transflective display, which will resist scratches and give you a fast read of the screen in harsh sunlight.

The new generation model of this handheld device offers unparalleled battery life, while giving you the excellent sound quality and reliability you need out on the trail. It has been engineered to survive in anything nature can throw at it, from scorching heat to icy blasts, sandstorms or monsoon rain. Safety features are included on the device to give outdoor enthusiasts the best possible experience from their phone.   This handset was built for the most rugged conditions, so it will work hard to match your perseverance on the trail.

The features available on the phone include voicemail, texting and email messaging, as well as alerts for incoming calls that come even when the antenna is tucked into the device. You can also use the assistance button to send out your GPS location data or send an emergency text to pre-set numbers in order to call for help.  The iSatPhone Pro 2 has Bluetooth connectivity so you can use the phone hands-free.

Consider taking this satellite phone with you on your next high adventure, whether you are summitting Everest or hiking the John Muir Trail, you’ll be amazed at the phone’s ability to match your endurance in the great outdoors. Wherever your next adventure takes you, this phone is a great companion and may just save your life.

Wilderness Expert Steve MCclure Urges Hikers to Embrace Modern Technology.

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Satellite communications could save your life.

Steve McClure wants to change the way wilderness wanderers think about navigation tools.

McClure, 57, has been hiking, climbing and scrambling since he took his first trip to Mount Rainier’s Klapatche Park as a child in the 1960s. Navigation piqued his interest from the start.

“To be out in the wild and find your way there and back is very empowering,” McClure said.

While map and compass skills are important, McClure says backcountry travelers should also embrace modern tools such as GPS and electronic maps.

McClure is a partner at a Seattle management consulting company and is treasurer for The Mountaineers. He is helping write the 10th edition of the organization’s famous “The Freedom of the Hills.” The book is due out in 2017, and McClure says to expect new recommendations for navigation.

McClure has given several presentations on the subject in recent years and says feedback has been positive.

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Your Disaster Recovery Plan Should Include a Satellite Phone

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Look to the Skies for Disaster Recovery

If you were born between July 23 and August 22, you fall under the fifth astrological sign of the zodiac, Leo. As a Leo, your traits include being dominant, creative, and extroverted. You are strong willed, independent, and ambitious.

However being a “LEO” in telecommunications has an entirely different meaning.

In telecom, LEO stands for “low Earth orbiting,” and refers to satellite systems. This is not to be confused with geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) systems, which you may be familiar with if you have satellite TV service from a company like Dish or DirecTV.

With satellite TV service, you receive signal from GEO satellites that sit 22,236 miles above Earth’s equator, and appear to be stationary in the sky. To receive service, your satellite dish (antenna) points toward the Dish or DirecTV GEO satellite.

Satellite phones, on the other hand, use LEO satellites. (Correction to this article.  The iSatPhone Pro 2 is an excellent portable handheld satellite phone that works via the I4 Inmarsat GEO Satelllite Constellation). LEO satellites are only 485 miles above Earth, and move at 17,000 miles an hour. While this may create some coverage challenges, LEO systems offer advantages over GEO satellites.

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