Those contemplating satphones for main commo needs might wish to kep the following in mind: > Globalstar Satellite Problems > The American Radio Relay League recently > distributed a warning that "Our served agencies are > increasingly relying on satellite phones for back up > communications and some think it has lessened the > need for HF and the other services provided by > amateur radio. You should refer your emergency > management contacts to a recent SEC filing made by > Globalstar. The performance of the S-band power > amplifiers in the company’s satellites is degrading, > likely to due radiation exposure. ... there is > apparently a significant chance that the new > satellites won’t be up in time and that sometime in > 2008 substantially all of the Company’s currently > in-orbit satellites will cease to be able to support > two-way communications services!" >