Not worth the $, just get a MF/HF transceivers and get the license.

I have bought a Thruaya satsleeve for a planned Kimberley trip next year, bolts onto any smartphone. $800 + $15 per month + call / data costs. The monthly isn't locked into a contract so can be activated as required. 

https://www.satphonesales.com.au/Thuraya-SatSleeve-inc-adapter-SIM-and-free-12v-USB-adapter?zenid=5a393am0q3plqutus1jl8nr4i1

 +1 for MF/HF - always monitored for emergencies and their call range is amazing.

thanks guys. MF/HF looks like a good outcome given it avoids monthly plans. But the upfront cost of the unit isn't cheap. Any recommendations on units to consider at a reasonable price?

Cheers
John

 I also have the thruaya sataleeve sat phone, $888 brand new and yeah $15 per month + usage charges. You can pause the plan if you want so you only pay for it in the months that you use the phone. Got mine for a few remote 4x4 trips, good piece of mind. Sat phone works as long as you can see the sky and are not under any trees or buildings which shouldn't be an issue  

before u try mf/hf

try to do some calls see how much response u get( i cna get u on a boat with a set)

if u gonna go mf/hf u need DSC at least in it (GMDSS even better)

when we had an recovery of another vessel at the rowley shoals we couldnt raise a single coast or any other station on the hf

hopped on the sat phone had canberra 1 min later on clear comms

all comms went thru the satphone after that they called me back

they even sent me a refund request for the $ spent on the rescue - for fuel used ropes broken, berth on boat etc and including the satphone calls

(never claimed - but)

 We replaced our work satphones and bought satsleeves a few years back....but we’ve gone back.  The satsleeves are good for data and texts but we found unreliable as phones (sometimes) compared to satphones...transmit and receive power seems to be less than the satphone, plus battery seems to be pretty crap.

I’ve never heard of our guys ever having a signal issue with the satohone, even in shit weather (in a car sometimes crap thru metal roof).

the satsleeves are abit fragile compared to satphone, but we use them a lot and we’re pretty rough on gear.

we now have both, and given the choice I take the sat phone fishing out wide. Sits in a water proof camera case until I need it.

the satsleeves were about $800 plus $15 a month plus call charges (PLUS DATA!!!!) the sat phones are about $1000 and we pay a really low monthly rate (only about $80 a year) but the call rates are very high....but in an emergency who cares.

satphones are iridium brand

 i just sold mine, i'm changing to a personal locator beacon worn on my waist band. much cheaper and equally affective.