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Himalaya Satellites - the ACeS system
17:45 p.m. EST Dec 29, 2004
When climbing in Himalaya, David Lim (Expedition leader of the Everest-Singapore expedition 1998) has been an avid ACeS user. With the latest Thuraya issues, Dave wrote up a story for ExWeb on the system. He used the satellite phone on his Himalaya climb in 2001/2002 (Cho Oyu, Everest, Mera Peak) and found it pretty useful. Here's his report:
The world's smallest and lightest satellite-GSM phone
ACeS is the first Asian geo-mobile handheld satellite system that provides digital voice, facsimile and data transmission using a small, dual mode (Satellite/GSM 900), handset that fits in the palm of your hand. It's the world's smallest and lightest satellite-GSM phone.
Calls anywhere - but only from Asia
The ACES ( Asia Cellular Satellite ) telephone uses a fixed footprint format, meaning, you have to be within the geo satellite's footprint of Asia to send messages using their Lockheed Martin satellite. "Asia" includes Japan, SE Asia, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet (see coverage pic).
GSM/Satellite switch
For explorers, the phone is a boon because you have an option to switch from a GSM network (very much like your own global roaming cellular service) to satellite mode when you're half way up a mountain. Latest enhancements include a separate device for high speed data transmission. (Note 1)
The cost
A set will set you back around US$750 and costs were around US$0.90 per minute, now probably cheaper. Overall far cheaper to buy and use than Thuraya, INMARSAT or IRIDIUM in many situations. I used pre-paid cards of various denominations. So there is flexibility in airtime plans. (Note 2)
The Phone
An Ericsson R190, it is a small (and light) handset; reminiscent of the bigger urban mobile phones from the late 1990s. Comes with a stubby GSM antenna as well as a longer satellite antenna. Accessories include an antenna cable and satellite dish 9 about the size of a salad bowl) to allow you to make calls while indoors or inside a tent. You get 9.6kbps for voice and data. (Note 3)
In operation
ACeS were sponsors of my ASCENT8000 climb in 2002 (see links section) where I attempted two 8000m peaks back to back without bottled oxygen. I also used it on Everest (Tibet) in 2001. The phone works great except on some cloudy days, and if you are at the far end of the satellite footprint, the signature gets slimmer and you have to keep angling the antenna to match the decreasing ' window' represented by the curvature of the earth.
I had matchless reception at 7000m on Cho Oyu and in many other places in 2002 and 2001. On Cho Oyu, although the southeastern aspect at advanced base camp (at 5600m) was blocked by the hill behind ABC, I managed to get a connection two or three times out five.
On a Mera Peak climb in 2002, I used it on one high-capacity battery for 16 days, in which I talked on it for 45 minutes over 8 sessions before the battery ran down. (Note 4)
Practicalities
I used an Apple G3 Powerbook (Pismo) hooked up to a data interface plug with the ACeS to send and receive data using a PSIOn DACOM PC card interface. Power came from flexible solar panels hooked up to a charge controller and a 3 kg sealed-lead acid battery. I charged the battery, and then used it to charge the phone and laptop with some custom made DC connectors. (Note 5)
ExWeb notes:
1) Iridium and Globalstar have similar systems but they are seldom used by explorers.
2) ACeS is not cheaper than Globalstar and Thuraya.
3) 9.6kb/s when in GSM mode – for sat mode it’s only 2.4 kb/s.
4) Dave's report shows quite some shadow – Iridium would give a better success ratio and so would Thuraya -when it works.
5) ACeS require a PSIOn PC card for data when in sat mode.
Shortly following an expedition he led to Everest in 1998, David Lim became seriously ill and left paralyzed for a long time. He wrote a book about the events, "A mountain to climb - Quest for Everest and beyond." David has been partially disabled since then (1998) diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome and has paralysis below the right knee and left leg.
In January 2005, David Lim will make a solo expedition to climb the remote peak of Ojos Del Salado.
At 6882m, “ Ojos” is the world’s highest volcano, and the 2nd highest peak in the Americas. Ojos is located in the driest desert on this planet, the Atacama Desert, and lies on the Chilean-Argentinian border.
The expedition’s aims include demonstrating that being disabled does not necessarily mean unable. If successful, this will be the first time this peak is soloed by any Asian mountaineer. David will be using a custom-made, polymer ankle-foot Sure Step Custom Pro Rigid orthotic made by Seattle Systems, Inc, (USA) to get more leverage from his now-useless lower right leg. ExWeb will cover David's climb.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves - those outside the brain and spinal cord. It is characterized by the rapid onset of weakness and, often, paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles and face. GBS is the most common cause of rapidly acquired paralysis in the United States today, affecting one to two people in every 100,000. The majority of patients eventually return to a normal or near normal lifestyle, but many endure a protracted recovery and some remain wheelchair-bound indefinitely. The cause is not known. Plasma exchange (a blood "cleansing" procedure) and high dose intravenous immune globulins are often helpful to shorten the course of GBS.
Images courtesy of David Lim:
1. Aces phone in action - David Lim, Hinku valley, Nepal, 2002
2. R190
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