Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 08:48
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Kuril Islands Biocomplexity 08

Is there any communication with the outside world ( when you guys are in the Kuril Islands) ?

- Grady thomas

Thu, 07/10/2008 - 15:48

KBP Team

GradyWe have a couple of options for communication with the outside world when we are out in the Kuril Islands. Our primary option will be satellite phones, which several of our Russian colleagues have. They are pretty amazing -- phone calls sound essentially just like if you were using a "land line" or cell phone in the United States! And they can also be configured to make a direct (if a bit slow) connection with the internet.
In fact, once we are out in the field, all of the journal postings will be made via satellite phone.
The other main option we have is the ship's "ship to shore" VHF radio. It has limited range, but works to communicate with, for instance, the Russian Coast Guard should such a need arise (there was, in fact, need for a med-evac (medical evacuation) on a previous Kurils expedition back in 2000).
Dr. E