Thx for the sat phone updates. My research also confirms your experience. There are a couple of tech things on the horizen that may make it less expensive.

I use Sprint PCS which I bought several years ago because they rolled out their national grid a bit quicker than the others. I travel a lot and it's great in all metro areas across the country. Another feature which I like is that I can use it as a slow speed connection to the Interent to pick up email on the laptop while in airports etc without needing extra gear or other email accts Lets you be completely wirelesslyand power connected-- that benefit is diminishing as wi-fi rolls out however

However, coverage falls off rapidly elsewhere.

My reason for wanting a phone with me is primarily for emergency use. A couple of years ago I fell while wading a stream and broke both bones in my lower right leg in two. I was lucky in several ways to make it to a hospital on my own. With that experience I know the importance of being connected.

I agree with others that filling the airways with drivel or conducting business detracts from the overall fishing experience.

So it sounds, (pun intended), like Verizon has better coverage in remote areas. Maybe Ill switch.
Thx for all the good input