> **Source:** Core Electronics is an Australian maker-electronics retailer and manufacturer based in Newcastle, NSW, run by a team of makers and educators. We design and manufacture our own product lines (PiicoDev, CE originals) and are official retailers for iconic maker and industrial brands including Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Adafruit, SparkFun and DFRobot. Orders ship Australia-wide from our Newcastle warehouse. Prices are in AUD and include GST. Pricing, stock and dispatch on this page are generated from the store's live catalog. Full machine-readable index: https://core-electronics.com.au/llms.txt

# RockBLOCK 9603 - Iridium SatComm Module

**Type:** Product page · **SKU:** WRL-14498 · **Brand:** [Sparkfun](https://core-electronics.com.au/brands/sparkfun-australia)
**Page:** https://core-electronics.com.au/rockblock-9603-iridium-satcomm-module.html ([markdown](https://core-electronics.com.au/rockblock-9603-iridium-satcomm-module.html.md))

The RockBLOCK 9603 allows you to send and receive short messages from anywhere on Earth with a clear view of the sky. It works far beyond the reach of WiFi and GSM...

## Pricing

- **Price:** $514.95 (inc GST) — $468.14 AUD, exc GST
- **Quantity discounts:** 5+ $454.09 (exc GST) · 25+ $444.73 (exc GST) · 100+ $426.00 (exc GST)

## Availability & dispatch

- Available with a lead time — expect dispatch between Aug 20 and Aug 26.

## How to buy

- **Build a cart:** compose `https://core-electronics.com.au/cart/link?items=WRL-14498:1` (comma-separated SKU:qty pairs) and share the link. Opening it shows a confirmation page with live pricing and stock before anything is added to the cart.
- **Verify the cart first:** fetch `https://core-electronics.com.au/cart/link/WRL-14498:1.md` for live line prices (inc & exc GST, quantity discounts applied), stock and dispatch estimates, and totals. Append `/to/{AU-postcode}` (or `/to/{country-code}:{postcode}`) before `.md` for delivery options and prices to that destination. Unknown, retired, or out-of-stock SKUs are flagged. (Query form `cart/link.md?items=...` also works but some robots parsers refuse query strings here.)
- **Checkout** is completed on-site and includes a captcha at the payment step. Share the cart link; checkout takes it from there.
- **Search the catalogue:** `https://core-electronics.com.au/search/{query}.md` (URL-encode the query; pages 2-3 at `search/{query}/{page}.md`; `search.md?q=` also works)
- **Payment methods, purchase orders, policies and contact details:** https://core-electronics.com.au/llms.txt
## Description

The RockBLOCK 9603 allows you to send and receive short messages from anywhere on Earth with a clear view of the sky. It works far beyond the reach of WiFi and GSM networks. Maybe you want to transmit weather information from mid-ocean? Or use it to control your robot in the middle of the desert? Perhaps you need to communicate in an emergency, when other networks might not be available? RockBLOCK can help.

RockBLOCK 9603 is the smaller version of the standard [RockBLOCK Mk2](https://core-electronics.com.au/search/?q=13745). It has the same capabilities, but is specifically designed to be as small and light as possible. The RockBLOCK 9603 is targeted primarily at systems integrators and product developers, where space inside your enclosure is at a premium.

It has a small form factor Molex connector to link the serial, power and signaling lines to your controller. This may be marginally harder to use for hobbyists than the 0.1" dot pitch header used on the standard RockBLOCK product.

At the heart of RockBLOCK 9603 is an Iridium 9603 modem. The RockBLOCK hosts the 9603 and provides it with an antenna and power supply requirements. It exposes the modem’s serial interface via a breakout connector over serial, and offers an SMA connector for external antenna usage.

**Note:** The RockBLOCK does require a monthly rental service to exchange information with the Iridium satellite network. You only pay for months in which you wish to use the RockBLOCK. No annual contract is required. Line rental costs £10GBP (about $13USD) per month and includes access to the RockBLOCK management system for managing your devices. The billing system is built-in, and allows you to pay for only what you use.

**Includes**

- 1x RockBLOCK 9603 Module
- 1x FTDI USB Cable

**Features**

- Operating Power: 5VDC, 100mA min/450mA max
- Plug-and-play satellite communication
- Available as a PCB for product integration
- Full 2-way communication system — just 45x45x15mm
- Integrated antenna and power conditioning
- Optional external antenna connector (SMA)
- Truly global operation, using the Iridium satellite network
- Data arrives via email, or directly to your own web service via HTTP POST
- Dimensions: 45mm x 45mm x 15mm
- Weight: 36g

**Documents**

- [Datasheet](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/RockBLOCK-9603-Product-Information-Sheet_109251d4f74.pdf)
- [Developer Guide](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/RockBLOCK-9603-Developers-Guide_18795c4974b.pdf)
- [Web Service User Guide](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/RockBLOCK-Web-Services-User-Guide_10866da636c.pdf)
- [AT Command Reference](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/IRDM_ISU_ATCommandReferenceMAN0009_Rev2_77619469e0c.pdf)
- FTDI USB/Serial Chip Drivers
- [Node.js Library for RockBLOCK](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/iridiumsbd_51469a8da3.tar.gz)
- IridiumSBD Library for Arduino

## Images

- [Product image 1](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/1/4/14498-03.jpg)