Technical issues resolved

CIZRE, Turkey — Thanks to the extremely helpful folks at Iridium, the sat phone is again working. Sorry for the radio silence, but it finally ended on a hotel’s rooftop in southeastern Turkey after Ilfan, the bellhop/electrical engineer (I’m not kidding), spliced an extension cord to provide power while I alternated between cursing the cruel fates for creating satellite technology and calling Iridium and talking to either Chad, Adam or Karl. We’re on a first name basis now. Adam finally found the magic formula and we’re back up and running. Thanks also to J., who has some experience with Windows machines.
It’s now very late. Tomorrow is a big day. More reports will be forthcoming.