I took a rented Sat Phone to WCPP Solo.  I called home every night for 3-5 minutes.  Cost $9 per day to rent and $1.99 per minute.  I rented it to come 2 days proir to trip and sent back 2 days after trip.  Just put in Fed Ex with returnable label they sent along and it was done.
It worked fine as long as I was along shore or in open.  Lost signal once, but regained and called right back out after I got a new signal.
I took a spare charged battery with me and kept it in a zip lock to keep it dry inside a dry bag.  I loved it, and my better half enjoyed knowing I was fine.  Here is the link where I got mine from.
SunCatcher

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

As I reported above, my son on 21 day solo sent a signal every day and it was great.  I knew where he was for the night.

Talked to outfitter and he told of a dad + 3 children at site of Rebecca Falls drowing this summer.  He pushed the HELP! button.  RAngers showed up but for the intervening 4 or so hours his wife was beyond herself.  Interesting dilema and a case for sat phone.

I was on the receiving end of Spot messages last week while a friend was on a solo trip.  I appreciated both the piece of mind as well as the opportunity to "see" how the trip was progressing.

I have been using a Globalstar Sat. phone for 6 years. At first it worked perfectly but then the satellites started losing the ability for two way communication. They have since put up some new generation satellites and moved others around to fill some of the big holes. Now it may take me 3-4 attempts to get a good satellite. When things were getting bad they offered an unlimited package to keep customers. I pay a total of about $28.00 for unlimited use. I doubt the package is available anymore.

On the Globalstar website you can enter the area you will be and get a 4 day read-out of the best times to call. Four days is not enough but it shows you what level of service you can expect if you opt for the Globalstar Sat. phone.

The Sat. phone is really nice but the Spot does a good job in giving the family back home some peace of mind.

a few well disguised towers, and I could cell phone home nightly

I can only report that as the parent of a son soloing for three weeks, I'm glad he agreed  to take a Spot II and sends an "everyting is OK" message once each day.  I already planned to not worry till third day with no message. It is for our peace of mind.  Since many people have come and gone pre satellite, I belive he his fine and that I face more hazards here in the city. Otherwise, I'd have gotten him a PLB.

I think my wife will expoect me to carry Spot now when I go.

Having used both a SPOT, and a sat phone, on my own time I'll take a sat phone any day.  Yeah, they're expensive, but if you only use it in an emergency, the price is worth it.  Iridium by far beats Globalstar for coverage and reliability (used to be reverse, but I hear G lost a bunch of satellites a few years back, and hasn't replaced them yet).

As for the SPOT, was useful for checking in each day when working in the bush, but also felt like someone was always watching over my shoulder.  I prefer to leave the gadgets at home when tripping. Reliance on a gadget can never  replace good planning and judgement.  (maybe its my invincible youth speaking here!)

Wow, C cells have a use other than vibrators.   

Yeah, weight & bulk being another big factor for me.

Preacher wrote on Sep 27^th, 2010 at 4:45pm:

That's the reason I take one.  I'm usually out for about 2 weeks and my wife gets a bit nervous when I'm out of touch for that long.  In addition, I occasionally go solo.

I've used (a gen 1) SPOT for the past two seasons and over approximately 50 nightly transmissions, I can only remember 2 that didn't get through (and those were probably my fault because of impatience).  I used to watch the unit until I confirmed the first message was sent and then turned the unit off.  Now, I turn the unit on and let it send redundant signals (it actually sends 3 which are edited down to 1 by the SPOT service).  Before I walk away, I confirm that the OK and power lights are blinking in unison (alternate blinking means lack of a clear signal) and walk away for about a half hour. When only the power button is blinking, it has sent 3 signals.  Needless to say, I pick a spot (point, front of campsite, etc. where there is abundant clear sky (south is usually a bit better because the unit can reach more satellites ... northern only is probably the worst ... for the opposite reason).

My last trip:  100% success on messages sent.

The season before, I did use a sat phone.  I didn't care for the bulk and for a 2-week trip I also had to take along a solar charter ... another somewhat bulky item since it also contain C-sized rechargeable batteries.

dd

Depends on where you go & what you want & how much $$$ you have.

I hear sat-phones are $10/minute on top of the purchase & set-up costs.

Personally I would be fine with SPOT for where I go and what I want to do.  I just want to inform the Mrs. that I'm OK or send out a distress signal if I'm not.  SPOT seems to hit the right median for enjoying the solitude & escape while alleviating anxiety of loved ones.