Using your Iridium Extreme with TracPlus

Overview

This guide shows you how to set up an Iridium Extreme 9575 satellite phone so it sends tracking, check-in and SOS alerts to TracPlus. It covers registration, SIM installation, the exact device settings TracPlus needs, first-time testing, everyday use and troubleshooting.

The Iridium Extreme 9575 is a rugged, waterproof satellite phone that uses the Iridium network of 66 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites for truly global coverage, including oceans and the poles. With TracPlus it can:

Make voice calls and send text messages from anywhere with a good view of the sky
Use low-bandwidth satellite data (2.4 kbps)
Send regular GPS position (tracking) reports to TracPlus at a rate you choose
Send on-demand Check-in messages with your current location
Send SOS emergency alerts to TracPlus and your nominated emergency contacts

Who this is for: pilots, fleet and vessel operators, field workers, hikers and anyone managing an Iridium Extreme in the TracPlus platform. You may also see this device called the Iridium 9575, Extreme sat phone or simply the Extreme.

Step 1: Register your Iridium Extreme with TracPlus

TracPlus must register and activate your phone on its location portal before it can track or send alerts. Registration is a short two-way exchange of codes between you and TracPlus Support.

1.1 Gather your device details

Information needed	Where to find it
Desired name to be displayed within TracPlus	Your choice, e.g. aircraft registration, vessel name or person's name
Iridium SIM card number	Printed on the SIM card
Iridium phone number (if known)	From your airtime provider or SIM paperwork
Iridium Extreme IMEI	Label under the battery
Iridium serial number	Label under the battery
In Case of Emergency (ICE) contacts	Minimum of two contacts, each with a voice number and SMS number
Tracking visibility	The TracPlus usercode that will manage your Iridium Extreme phone

1.2 Send your details to TracPlus

Email this information to support@tracplus.com or call +64 (9) 887 4189.

Note: If your Iridium Extreme does not currently have a telephone number, TracPlus will create a voice contract on your behalf.

1.3 Complete the verification code exchange

TracPlus creates your device and activates it for tracking on the Iridium location service. Support will email you when this is done.
On the phone, go to Menu → Setup → Location Options → Portal Options and note the 5-digit verification code shown.
Send that 5-digit code to TracPlus Support.
TracPlus replies with a response code.
Enter the response code into your Iridium Extreme when prompted. Your device will not work with TracPlus until this code is entered.

Once accepted, Portal Status shows TracPlus.

Step 2: Insert the SIM card

Power the phone off and remove the battery.
Carefully remove the Iridium SIM card from its protective surround (the credit-card-sized plastic carrier). Avoid touching the gold contacts.
Slide the SIM into the SIM holder in the battery compartment, gold contacts facing down, matching the cut corner to the holder's outline.
Lock the SIM holder, refit the battery and close the battery cover securely so the phone stays waterproof.

Tip: If the phone shows Insert SIM or Check SIM after power-on, remove and reseat the SIM, and check it is the right way round.

Step 3: Set the device options

These Location Options control how your Iridium Extreme talks to TracPlus. Set them exactly as shown before carrying out any testing.

Settings at a glance

Menu path	Setting	Required value
Menu → Setup → Location Options → GPS Options	GPS Update Options	Real Time
Menu → Setup → Location Options → GPS Options	GPS On/Off	Enabled
Menu → Setup → Location Options → Portal Options	Portal Status	TracPlus (check only)
Menu → Setup → Location Options → Emergency Options	Emergency Actions	Message Only
Menu → Setup → Location Options → Emergency Options	Emergency Recipient	`extreme@in.tracplus.com`
Menu → Setup → Location Options → Emergency Options	GEOS Service	Do not use
Menu → Setup → Location Options → Message Options → Regular Update	Update Frequency	Your chosen reporting rate (see below)

GPS Options

This enables the use of GPS on your Iridium Extreme. Without it, the phone cannot send positions.

Menu → Setup → Location Options → GPS Options

GPS Update Options: Real Time
GPS On/Off: Enabled

Portal Options

This lets you check that your Iridium Extreme is correctly registered with TracPlus.

Menu → Setup → Location Options → Portal Options

Portal Status: TracPlus. If it shows anything other than TracPlus, or shows unregistered, contact TracPlus Customer Support.

Caution: Selecting De-register from this menu will prevent your Iridium Extreme from working correctly with TracPlus. Re-registering requires a new code exchange with Support.

Emergency Options

This controls what your Iridium Extreme does when the SOS button is activated. Set these options exactly as shown to avoid penalty fees.

Menu → Setup → Location Options → Emergency Options

Emergency Actions: Message Only
Emergency Recipient: extreme@in.tracplus.com
GEOS Service: Do not use

You can add up to two additional Emergency recipients if you wish, such as your ICE contacts.

Warning: Do NOT remove all the Emergency Recipient email addresses. If no recipient is set, the Iridium Extreme notifies the GEOS emergency service instead of TracPlus. GEOS is a separate, subscription-based emergency response service; alerts routed there will not reach TracPlus and may incur penalty fees.

Message Options (reporting rate)

This controls how often the Iridium Extreme sends position messages to TracPlus.

Menu → Setup → Location Options → Message Options → Regular Update

Update Frequency: set your desired position reporting rate.

Use	Recommended reporting rate
Aircraft	2 minutes
Car, truck or vessel	2–5 minutes
Person walking	15 minutes to 1 hour, according to environment and terrain

Faster reporting gives a more detailed track but uses more battery and may increase airtime usage. Check your airtime plan if you are unsure.

Your Iridium Extreme is now set up and ready to be tested and used.

Step 4: Test and start using your Iridium Extreme

Take the phone outside, away from trees and tall buildings, with a clear view of the sky.
Extend the antenna and orient it straight up, towards the sky.
Press the black button on the top of the phone to turn it on.
The phone displays Searching for Iridium and then Registered.
Approximately two minutes later, the message Tracking by TracPlus briefly appears on the home screen.
The Iridium Extreme now begins sending GPS position messages to TracPlus at your selected rate.

Confirm it worked

Log in to TracPlus and find your device by its display name.
Your first position should appear within a few minutes of Tracking by TracPlus showing.
Leave the phone outdoors for at least two reporting intervals and confirm new positions arrive on time.
Send a test Check-in (below) and confirm it appears in TracPlus.

Do not test the SOS button without first contacting TracPlus Support. An untested SOS alert is treated as a real emergency.

Check-in and current location

A Check-in sends your current location to TracPlus immediately, independently of your tracking rate. Use it to confirm you have arrived somewhere, at scheduled check-in times, or to test your setup.

Option A: Quick check-in from the home screen

Press the right-hand soft button.
Wait until the Latitude, Longitude, Altitude and Time of Fix are shown.
Press Share.
Choose Check-in.
The Iridium Extreme sends a Check-in message as soon as possible.

Option B: Check-in through the menu

Go to Menu → Setup → Location Options → Current Location.
Wait until the Latitude, Longitude, Altitude and Time of Fix are shown.
Press Share.
Choose Check-in.
The Iridium Extreme sends a Check-in message as soon as possible.

Tip: If the coordinates don't appear, the phone has not yet got a GPS fix. Move to a spot with a clearer view of the sky and wait a minute or two.

Emergency and SOS

The Iridium Extreme has a programmable SOS button on the top of the phone that sends emergency notifications to TracPlus and any contacts you have specified.

Sending an SOS

Lift the SOS cover on top of the phone and press the SOS button.
A 20-second countdown starts before the phone goes into SOS mode. This gives you a chance to cancel an accidental press.
When the countdown ends, SOS mode is active:
- SOS is shown on the home screen beside your Iridium signal strength indicator.
- A Cancel option appears on the home screen.

What happens while SOS is active

A message with your GPS location is sent to TracPlus every five minutes.
If you have specified a voice contact number in emergency settings, a voice call is automatically started to that number.
If you have specified additional message recipients in emergency settings, an SMS with your location is sent every five minutes to those numbers.
Keep the phone outdoors with the antenna up so alerts and calls get through.

Cancelling an SOS or false alarm

During the countdown: cancel it on screen before the 20 seconds end. No alert is sent.
After SOS is active: select Cancel on the home screen, then immediately call TracPlus on +64 (9) 887 4189 to confirm you are safe. Cancelling on the phone alone may not stop an emergency response that has already started.

Important: Make sure your ICE contacts know they are listed, and keep their details up to date with TracPlus. Contact Support to update them.

Getting the best results

All satellite devices need to see the sky to work properly. With an unobstructed view of the sky, messages are sent and received more quickly, calls connect more easily, and the battery lasts longer.

The phone will work with a partial view of the sky, such as on a window sill, glare shield or vehicle dashboard. However, this can lead to slower transmission times and failed calls and messages. For aircraft and vehicles, an external antenna or approved docking/cradle kit gives far more reliable results than a dashboard.

Battery care

Keep the battery charged so the phone is ready when you need it.
To maximise battery performance, allow the battery to discharge completely before fully recharging.
Carry a spare charged battery on long trips; faster reporting rates and cold weather drain the battery faster.

Antenna and device care

Protect the antenna by stowing it in the down position when not in use.
Keep the battery cover and port covers closed to maintain water and dust resistance.
Don't hold or cover the antenna while sending, as this blocks the signal.

Troubleshooting

If something isn't working, start with these three steps:

Power the device down and wait until it has fully shut down.
Switch it on again outdoors with the antenna up. Wait for the successful handshake with the TracPlus portal and the on-screen message Tracking by TracPlus.
Make sure the unit is fully charged.

If that doesn't fix it, find your symptom below.

What you see	Likely cause	What to do
Stuck on Searching for Iridium	No clear view of the sky, antenna down, or SIM problem	Move into the open, extend the antenna straight up, wait 2–3 minutes. Reseat the SIM if it persists.
Tracking by TracPlus never appears	Phone not registered, response code not entered, or de-registered	Check Portal Options → Portal Status shows TracPlus. If not, contact Support to redo the code exchange.
No positions showing in TracPlus	GPS disabled or Update Frequency not set	Check GPS On/Off is Enabled, GPS Update Options is Real Time, and Regular Update has a rate set.
Positions arrive late or with gaps	Partial sky view (dashboard, window, cockpit)	Move the phone to a clearer position or fit an external antenna.
Check-in shows no coordinates	No GPS fix yet	Wait in the open until Latitude, Longitude and Time of Fix appear.
SOS alert didn't reach TracPlus	Emergency Recipient removed or GEOS selected	Set Emergency Recipient to `extreme@in.tracplus.com`, Emergency Actions to Message Only, GEOS Service to Do not use.
Battery drains quickly	Fast reporting rate, cold, poor sky view, ageing battery	Lower the reporting rate, improve sky view, carry a spare battery.
Calls drop or won't connect	Obstructed sky or Iridium satellite moving out of view	Stay still in the open with the antenna up and retry.

If none of the above works, contact TracPlus Customer Services (details below).

Frequently asked questions

Does the Iridium Extreme work indoors? Not reliably. It needs a clear view of the sky. Near a window it may work slowly; inside a building it usually won't.

Can I use the phone for calls while it's tracking? Yes. Tracking continues alongside normal voice and SMS use, as long as the phone is on and can see the sky.

Does tracking continue when the phone is switched off? No. The phone must be on to send positions, Check-ins or SOS alerts.

How do I change my reporting rate? Go to Menu → Setup → Location Options → Message Options → Regular Update and change Update Frequency.

I accidentally pressed SOS. What do I do? Cancel it on screen. If SOS was already active, call TracPlus on +64 (9) 887 4189 straight away to confirm you are safe.

How do I update my ICE contacts or display name? Email support@tracplus.com with the new details and your device IMEI.

I'm moving the phone to a different TracPlus account or selling it. What should I do? Contact Support before you hand it over so it can be moved or deactivated. Don't select De-register yourself.

Why should I never choose GEOS Service? GEOS is a separate emergency response service. Choosing it, or leaving no Emergency Recipient, sends your SOS away from TracPlus and can incur penalty fees.

Support details

For assistance, contact TracPlus Customer Services:

Email: support@tracplus.com
Phone: +64 (9) 887 4189