Motorola Defy Satellite link two-way Satellite Messenger - Our most FAQ’s

 - For the device to lock onto Satellites you must have an active account & plan.

- Ensure you have clear view of the sky with no overhead obstructions, if you are in North America or Europe to achieve the best signal hold the device in a southerly direction, if you are in South America, Africa, Australia, or New Zealand (South of the Equator), you should hold the device in a Northerly direction.

N.B When you open up the paired Bullitt Messenger App and touch on the Satellite icon top right of the app, the screen does display best direction for the Geo Stationary Satellites for you to turn to FIG (1).

 - On the Bullitt messenger app if you touch on the satellite icon in the top right, a screen will open up showing you the connection status, the screen also displays the Satellite direction to hold your unit in and you will see a Signal Strength SINR number - this number needs to be -3 or stronger i.e. -2, -1, 0, 1, 2….etc. FIG (2).

-  Important If you have had the device in an area with no signal i.e. you may have entered a building with the device still turned on, we recommend that when you come out of the building etc that you turn your device off and then with a clear view of the sky turn the device back on, this will help with the speed of Satellite lock.

This is because when the device goes into a building with no view of the sky, to save battery gradually the device will have periods where it stops looking for satellites and these periods will keep becoming longer, when back outside turning the unit on and off will start the process of looking for satellites again from the start, for a quicker satellite lock.

The indicator at the top right of the app displays your bluetooth status, battery indication & satellite lock FIG (3).

2. Does the Motorola Defy Satellite link have worldwide coverage?
The Motorola Defy Satellite link does not have full worldwide coverage, for an up-to-date land coverage map please visit – Satellite Messenger Coverage

IMPORTANT NOTICE: 

We are aware that in certain countries the local government may regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communications devices or connected services. In accordance with the Bullitt Satellite Messenger Terms of Service, at all times it is the responsibility of the user of our service to ensure that they understand and comply with the laws of the country where they are located or where they intend to travel. In addition, we and our partners are bound by laws relating to trade sanctions and embargoes that mean we are prohibited from providing our service in certain countries.

The list below provides our current understanding of countries that i) may regulate or prohibit the use of a satellite communicator or ii) are on a list of countries which are subject to sanctions or embargoes determined by the US government:

• Afghanistan
• Crimea region of the Ukraine
• Cuba
• Georgia
• India
• Iran
• North Korea
• Myanmar
• Sudan
• Syria
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• China
• Russia

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT LOCAL LAWS AND THE LIST OF SANCTIONED OR EMBARGOED COUNTRIES MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE AND WE TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE ABOVE LIST. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU REVIEW THE RESTRICTIONS FOR SATELLITE COMMUNICATORS FOR THE COUNTRY WHERE YOU ARE LOCATED OR INTEND TO TRAVEL TO BEFORE YOU USE OR ATTEMPT TO USE THE SERVICE.

3. Can you use the Motorola Defy Satellite link at sea?

The device is designed primarily for land use, but the satellite service is effective up to 75 miles offshore. where the expanse of open sea is at the edge of a land coverage area, for an up-to-date land coverage map please visit – Satellite Messenger Coverage

4. When is live tracking coming on a Motorola Defy satellite Link?

Motorola / Bullitt are always looking to enhance and add new features to the device, we are currently helping beta test the new tracking function for Motorola, we expect this new feature to be available sometime in Quarter 1 2024.

Video link here showing us initially testing the new tracking feature

5. Why are my text messages typed on the app are not being sent?

When sending a message via the Bullitt messenger app, if you do have a mobile phone signal the Bullitt messenger app will try to send your messages this way to keep your Satellite messages allowance down, but if you are in an area with a weak mobile signal, you can then have an issue with your messages not being sent.

When you have a Satellite lock there is now an option in the app when sending your messages, to select to only use Satellites, we recommend when in an area that is dropping in and out of mobile signal that you select the option to use Satellites FIG (4).

6. What satellite system does Motorola Defy Satellite Link use?

The Motorola Defy Satellite Link uses the Inmarsat and Echostar geostationary satellite networks. These groups of satellites revolve around the equator at an altitude of around 35,000km.

Using GEO satellites enables the Motoroal Defy Satellite Link to provide stable international coverage. A user does not have to change their existing behaviour, you are generally stationary when you send a message,

GEO connected devices also provide faster access, latency is ~10 seconds compared to ~15-120 seconds for LEO services.

The device can connect to a number of geo-satellite constellations including Inmarsat, Echostar and others.

It takes approx. 500 milli seconds to bounce a message to the satellites and back to the ground station. Any message is then translated into the IP network ensuring that overall latency is ~10 seconds compared to ~15-120 seconds for LEO services

GEO satellites are positioned above the equator and effectively orbiting the earth at the same speed as the earth rotates. Effectively they appear to be stationary in the sky, easier to locate and communicate with.

7. Positioning of the GEO Stationary Satellites in the sky?

To optimise your satellite connection, it is recommended that you place your satellite link in the general direction of the satellite. Typically, in the northern hemisphere this will be in a southerly direction. In the southern hemisphere, you should try to face northerly.

The Bullitt messenger app does display the best direction for you to hold your device in as per FAQ (1) above.

 


8. Does the person receiving a message need to use the app?

If the person receiving your message does not have the free to use Bullitt Messenger app they can read the message, but if they want to reply to it or wish to see your location, they will need to download the app.


9. What happens if you press SOS and are unable to use your phone?

A SOS will still be sent with your location to Focuspoint International. They will look at your location/any medical history entered in the SOS settings, if you enter these details, it gives the monitoring centre a better ability to work out the appropriate level of response to send to you. In the instance that you cannot communicate they will send who they deem the most suitable given your location and any medical history they have available through the application.


10. When you send & receive messages via the Defy Bullitt Satellite Messenger App (if you have a mobile signal do they come of your Satellite Message allowance?

The App is intelligent and only switches to a satellite link when no cellular or Wi-Fi signal is available hence keeping your Satellite message allowance down and only using it when needed, when you have cellular connection App to App messages are sent & received using your standard mobile data.


11. When you sent a message using the App & Satellites is the recipient charged for it?

No, any messages that you send using Satellites come of your Satellite message allowance, if the recipient does not have the Defy Bullitt Satellite Messenger App they will be prompted to download it for free to read your message and they can then reply back.


12. When you receive a message back from the recipient and you have no cellular connection are you charged for the satellite message?

Yes any messages that you either send or receive via Satellites using the Defy Bullitt Satellite Messenger App will come of your Satellite message allowance.


13. What phones will pair with the Motorola Defy Satellite Link?

You will need a Bluetooth Enabled Android Smart Phone with a minimum of Android 10 Operating System installed and for an iPhone a minimum of IOS14 installed.


14. Can you use the Motorola Defy Satellite Link SOS button standalone with your phone paired?

Yes, once you have initially setup your device using the Defy Bullitt Satellite Messenger App, you can still use the SOS button to summons help even when not paired to your phone, it just means you will not see any messages coming through regarding the help that it on its way.


15. Can you use the Motorola Defy Satellite Link Check-in Location button standalone with your phone paired?

Yes, once you have initially setup your device using the Defy Bullitt Satellite Messenger App, you can still use the Location Check-in button to let family & friends know that you are okay and your location.


16. Can you use the Motorola Defy Satellite Link to send & receive text messages without a phone?

No, the device has no screen or keypad you will need a paired phone to send & receive text messages.


17. What is the maximum number of characters that you can send in one text using the Motorola Defy Satellite link and Paired App?

The maximum number of characters that you can use in one text message is 140.

Further reading

1. For more information on the Motorola Defy Satellite Link - More info here
   
   
2. We have some great videos showing the Motorola Defy Satellite Link being used, a 'walk and talk' – More info here