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Long Haul Questions

Old 03-01-2006, 02:00 PM
  #1  
Savannahguy
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Looking for info for international ops, esp those going across the Pacific to Asia...

1. Does Sirius or XM satt. radios work off shore/out of the domestic US...? For example, can u pick up a signal and listen over in Asia or Europe...?

2. Are there any decent ways to call home, I have a Verizon Cell that I am locked into for awhile, but are there affordable plans/calling cards that people can use, esp> from Asia.

3. Any recommendations on powering your stuff (ie iPod, laptops, so on) over there...? Do most of the decent hotels provide converters or do you suggest carrying your own...?

Just a few that come to mind for now, thanks for any advice

SAV
 
Old 03-01-2006, 08:46 PM
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buy yourself an mp3 player, if you want to make a fashion statement buy and ipod, or get a much cheaper dell if not. go on emule while at the hotel layovers and dowload all the music you fancy for free without any lawsuit fears.

when it comes to calling home, skype is the way to go. if the person you called has a computer, then is totally free. if you want to call an actual phone number you buy skype credit and pay local rates for your international calls( for example I call from S.Korea for 2cents a minute).

also, get one of those online games like "guild wars" for the long layovers in very cold or unfriendly places, it will help you past the time fast.
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Old 03-01-2006, 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Savannahguy
Looking for info for international ops, esp those going across the Pacific to Asia...
1. No, unless you listen via the web.

2. Skype rules!

3. Asia is a big place with lots of different power girds, where are you going? You might need a plug adapter at most, everything should work for you.
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Old 03-02-2006, 12:54 AM
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1) Won't work

2) Skype or Skype-out is the best way

3) The most you will need is a plug adaptor. The chargers work just fine on different voltages. Most hotels (decent ones) have adaptors available.
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Old 03-02-2006, 02:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Savannahguy
Looking for info for international ops, esp those going across the Pacific to Asia...

1. Does Sirius or XM satt. radios work off shore/out of the domestic US...? For example, can u pick up a signal and listen over in Asia or Europe...?

2. Are there any decent ways to call home, I have a Verizon Cell that I am locked into for awhile, but are there affordable plans/calling cards that people can use, esp> from Asia.

3. Any recommendations on powering your stuff (ie iPod, laptops, so on) over there...? Do most of the decent hotels provide converters or do you suggest carrying your own...?

Just a few that come to mind for now, thanks for any advice

SAV
[*]1[LIST=1][*]. Call Sirius or MX for complete details. You may also find answers on the internet.[*]2. I have heard that with software installed on your computer, you can make calls via the internet. However the calls are not secure. So act accordingly when talking via the internet. You can go to any computer store get information about the required software[*]3. Depending on the aircraft you fly, you can plug your toys into the 115 AC adapter in your airplane and charge the batteries. I charge my cell phone on the plane myself. Hotels generally have adapters at the front desk. That is of course if your company puts you up at decent hotels. Countries around the world have their own type of power and therefore different adapters are required. I think Radio Shack has an adapter than can be adjusted to various current types. Check them out too.

Happy flying and traveling
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Old 03-02-2006, 04:29 AM
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XM will not work outside of the lower 48. signall does not even carry very far off shore for boating. their website as all the details. dont know about sirus. another option for calling home is the MCI international phone card. inexpensive rates from most countries and you can recharge the card easily as you need it. get at Costco or call the number on their website.
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Old 03-02-2006, 05:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Savannahguy
Looking for info for international ops, esp those going across the Pacific to Asia...

1. Does Sirius or XM satt. radios work off shore/out of the domestic US...? For example, can u pick up a signal and listen over in Asia or Europe...?

2. Are there any decent ways to call home, I have a Verizon Cell that I am locked into for awhile, but are there affordable plans/calling cards that people can use, esp> from Asia.

3. Any recommendations on powering your stuff (ie iPod, laptops, so on) over there...? Do most of the decent hotels provide converters or do you suggest carrying your own...?

Just a few that come to mind for now, thanks for any advice

SAV
1- I can tell you that XM does not work in the PacRim. However, if you already have an XM subscription you can sign up for XM service through your laptop. I just did it a few days ago. And the part is that it's free. Siruis has the same deal only they charge for it. Do yourself a favor and buy a travel speaker. They're small and make the sound much, much better.

2- I agree that Skype (or something just like it) is the ticket. 2 cents a minute is hard to beat. And that's if you use your computer to call a phone number back in the states. If you call computer to computer it's free.

3- Laptops can plug into any recepticle that you have an plug adapter for. The AC adapters that come with your laptop can eat 100-240v AC. They even work in the airplane with 400 cycles. All of the other toys will require some sort of adapter plus a converter if you want to use almost all of the plugs in the room. Most hotels also have a 115v plug in the bathroom. I use them all the time to charge my iPod and camera batteries. And carry your own converter and plug adapters. It's hit and miss on borrowing one from a hotel front desk.
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Old 03-02-2006, 08:21 AM
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Thanks for the info.

I have obtained the software for skepe, I am hoping to figure a way to use video chat too for those times I am in the hotel. Hopefully it will help keep my wife and daughter from forgetting what I look like.

I assume that my plan with Verizon will work out of ANC, but I will ask first before calling from there. That will help.

The search goes on for a good calling card, I will look into the MCI one that was suggested. Thx.

I have heard that some guys carry a prepaid GSM phone with a SIMM card that work in most of the countries that we make scheduled trips into, and that they alllow (mostly) free inbound calls. There are then numbers you can call in the states that reroute the call to your cell number for around what a calling card costs. I was curious if anyone has tried this one. I thought having a cell for emergencies that I am pretty sure will work over there would be good.

Another question, any suggestions on a good handheld GPS unit for a reasonable price...?

Thanks again for the advice
 
Old 03-02-2006, 11:29 AM
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I have a Varizon cell phone. The phone is a Samsung SCH-A790 Series. I can switch from CDMA which is what we basically use in most of the Western Hemisphere. In Europe I switch to GSM Mode which is Intenational. I am a long time Varizon customer, so I was given a real cheap deal. Varizon stores don't usally carry them in stock, so you have to call the 800 number and they will ship it right to your house.

Pluses.

You don't have to switch SIM cards where ever you go.
Your loved ones and friends dial your normal US number as if you were at home. You phone rings where ever you are. and voila you have an incoming call. You dial from your phone just like you would dial from Europe. You have to dial 001, the Area Code, and Phone Number.

Big minus. It costs $1.29 per minute whether you call out or are called from the US.

However when you are in the CDMA mode at home, your normal rates apply.

You are better off buying a phone card for the important private secure calls.

I am based in Europe and I bought a cheap NOKIA phone under the Orange Phone Plan. I have the pay as you go plan. I top off the phone every month. It cost me 35 cents per minute to call the US. There is no charge when people call me on the NOKIA. Better deal than Varizon.

Sounds like you will be travelling to different destinations. The Orange Plan would not work for you.

Go with the phone card.

As for GPS's look on EBAY, or go to an avionics shop and see if they have used hand helds.
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Old 03-02-2006, 12:29 PM
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Well, I will hit mostly Asia... Korea and China in particular. But some routes go through Dubai and up into Germany.

But as we all know, those routes could change tomm. and I will be in Europe or South America all the time, lol.

What I am mainly looking for is ways to kill the time on long deadheads and layovers. I am a get out and see the sights kinda guy, but rainy days and such it would be good to have a means to keep from getting too bored.

I am leaning towards some sort of cell phone as I know that the Wife would be comforted in having a means to reach me/be reached to/from home. With a baby at home it is just a piece of mind-kinda thing. But that would be for emergency use, the Skype sounds like a far better alternative.

Thanks for the info on the XM, I figured that might be the case, but it was worth asking anyways.

Thanks again for the info, any further advice is welcome too.

SAV

Last edited by Savannahguy; 03-02-2006 at 12:40 PM.
 
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