I've been shopping for a CHEAP subscription to the Iridium sat. network. Emergency calls only, no chatting.
The best I could find is $300/yr, and $4.50/min... wonder if anyone knows of a better plan (cheap annual fee)?
(thanks I hope)

Probably off topic, but I rented an Iridium sat phone for 2 weeks from Mobal for $168 which is much cheaper than anything else I could find and that price was sufficiently low that I decided to rent it.

I don't know where you fly, but APRS and friends are the cheapest for rescue if a HAM is anywhere nearby
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/N ... directlink
My Aprs tracking stopped in Britisch Columbia

Spot is cheaper than Iridium and tracked me very well and I expect their rescue service would be adequate
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/c ... directlink

Delorme is also an option

Iridium is a 100% solution and what you got quoted seems great to everything I was quoted.

I think I've decided to go with the "Northern Lights" plan.
$100/yr more than the one i found, but includes 200 mins/yr, so I won't be afraid to use it.
Just another insurance policy.