Satellite Phone, Solar Panels, Juice Pack & Batteries

January 18, 2008
Communication is important for keeping in touch with my love, Christine.

This is the satellite phone i will use. The brand is an Iridium 9505A made by Motorola. As a Volunteer in the Park the National Park Service has supplied me with the satellite phone so i can check in regularly. i will call Christine at a predetermined time and she will then communicate with the Park Service if need be.

The top photo shows the phone plugged into a charger which has been adapted to receive power from a rechargeable battery. The middle photo shows 2 portable solar panels which will charge the batteries which are then plugged into the phone to charge it.

The bottom photo is of a "Juicebag" a backpack with a built in solar panel. i will use this system to charge the batteries for the video camera.

To be honest i am skeptical of the performance of the solar panels during the end of January and through the first 2 weeks of February. i will be carrying a lot of extra charged batteries to hopefully get me through this time.