A universal remote monitoring system and method for irrigation systems having a self-contained remote terminal unit mounted at an outer portion of the irrigation system which is independent of the irrigation system control. The unit includes a global positioning system for producing coordinate data, a computer for processing the coordinate data into operational data, and a transmitter for delivering the operational data to a communications satellite. The satellite relays the operational data through a communications network into a remote service computer which generates information messages to mobile operator devices informing the operator of movement status and other operational information.