Ham Radio Operators Rely on Iridium for Communication from Remote Islands
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BETHESDA, Md. - June 4, 2007 - Iridium® Satellite LLC provided mission-critical mobile satellite services for two recent "DXpeditions," in which ham radio enthusiasts constructed temporary base stations on small remote islands to establish contact with other amateur radio operators around the world.
DXpeditions are frequently undertaken by the ham radio community as part of their enthusiasm for pursuing radio contacts, often under extremely difficult conditions, with distant stations around the globe. In amateur radio parlance, "DX" is an abbreviation for distance and "DXers" are operators who log calls to these remote stations.
The first DXpedition in January 2007 took place on Agatti Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, located in the Arabian Sea southwest of India. The second, in April 2007, was on Swain's Island, an atoll in the Tokelau chain in the South Pacific.
The teams used the Iridium phones to stay in touch with home, obtain weather forecasts, and provide daily uploads of log information and updates from the island.
Bob Allphin, co-leader of the Agatti Island team, said, "The sheer isolation of the islands makes communication difficult and therefore highly prized by hams. Fortunately, just as in our DXpedition to Antarctica last year, we had Iridium satellite telephones that provided us with full-strength coverage at all times. Although we communicated all over the world with our ham radios and made 41,000 contacts in all, our radio communication was subject to ionospheric conditions, varied by time of day and restricted by low sunspot numbers. So, communication with our families, and announcements of our scheduled ham radio activity and updates on our results, were not reliable or possible except during certain times of day. That's why we relied so heavily on our Iridium phones."
"The ability to dial up a number anywhere in the world and have a clear conversation without static, fading or interference was truly amazing. I will never go on another expedition without an Iridium phone," Allphin added.
Greg Ewert, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite, said, "We are pleased to provide vital communication links as a margin of safety for these intrepid ham radio adventurers in pursuit of their passion. These DXpeditions provide a powerful testimony to the robust worldwide voice and data links offered by our satellite network."
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 150 partners.
