Icom’s IC-SAT100 satellite PTT handheld radio is now available

Icom has announced that its IC-SAT100 satellite PTT handheld radio, which uses the Iridium satellite network, is now commercially available in the UK.

The IC-SAT100 can be used to communicate in remote areas where there is no cellular, radio or landline network infrastructure, or when natural disasters or war have rendered existing terrestrial infrastructure unusable. It is therefore intended for use by governments, military forces, humanitarian, multinational, energy-exploration organisations and those that do not wish to or unable to develop their own infrastructure.

According to Icom, the latency of PTT communication is roughly 500 milliseconds. The Iridium satellite network covers the globe, consisting of 66 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, and it in combination with the IC-SAT100 could allow, for example, someone at the North Pole to speak to someone at the South Pole.

The IC-SAT100 is IP67 rated for dust/water-proofing and meets MIL-STD 810G. It has a BP-300 Li-ion battery pack that can supply approximately 14.5 hours of operation on a single charge. The device also has a 1.5 Watt internal audio speaker to provide clear communications, even in noisy environments, and is compatible with existing Icom accessories.