It's a while since I traveled the Nullarbor but there were public telephones at the old microwave repeater stations which are just off the road.
RoboLB said
03:14 PM May 10, 2022
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
I have a different view. Standing on the side of the road next to your vehicle will be just as effective. A 5W UHF radio with properly placed antennae can have a range of 30km or more out there. If you call on a UHF, no one actually knows where you are. And if you can afford a HF tranciever, a sat phone will be cheaper and easier to use and you can chat with friends easily. I would recommend that ALL travellers have a registered PLB for serious emergencies. $300 is cheap insurance with no extra costs for 7 years. Cheers, Peter
Good point Peter.
I'm looking at a PLB for long distance remote hiking. It would be good for remote driving too.
mixo said
10:06 AM May 11, 2022
You guys are overthinking it.
All you need is a sat phone if you are really worried about your safety and wellbeing...
You going to spend 1K on a radio, a booster/repeater and they just don't cut it.
PLB's is one-way traffic, you cant talk to the other side.What if you need some instruction for a medical emergency?. Not convinced they are good value for traveling by car.
UHF for me is just for traveling in a convoy of friends. Next to useless anywhere else.
over and out
Mixo
-- Edited by mixo on Wednesday 11th of May 2022 10:10:23 AM
Peter_n_Margaret said
11:10 AM May 11, 2022
mixo wrote:
All you need is a sat phone if you are really worried about your safety and wellbeing...
A sat 'phone is fine if you have the cash and the ongoing monthly fees, but if you are in a car upside down off the road in the scrub, it simply will not work. Then if it does actually work, you need to decide who to call and be able to hold a conversation and describe EXACTLY where you are.
A PLB costs $300 TOTAL for 7 years use. There are zero other costs. If the car is upside down, you simply activate it and throw it out the window. It will keep sending the signal for at least 24 hours. Then the whole rescue operation happens quickly and automatically and there is ZERO cost.
I would advicate the ownership of a PLB as well as a sat phone, if you have one, but not a sat phone on its own.
Cheers,
Peter
Gundog said
08:41 AM May 12, 2022
Wow have we become that soft since the advent of the mobile phone, neediing the security blanket of a phone to ensure our survival, sure PLB, Hf radio and Satphones are wise if you plan venturing off the beaten track, but to cross the Nullarbor heavens forbid give me a break.
We have made to East-West journey a couple of times in the 70's when it wasnt a sealed road all the way, even today we uas the greatest device on a mobile phone ............the off button.
Tony Bev said
09:00 PM May 13, 2022
Getting back to the original question
Can anyone tell me if reception on mobile phones is OK on the Nullarbor please?
Recently went across the Nullarbor, each way, in the last few months
I only had Aldimobile, and I can confirm that there is reception in both Norseman WA, and Ceduna SA, but absolutely nothing in between
I saw a public phone at every servo, except Balladonia, perhaps a vehicle was blocking it from my view
jegog said
11:58 PM May 28, 2022
Another option
When you don't have a mobile connection use a global satalite to smartphone device.
Good point Peter.
I'm looking at a PLB for long distance remote hiking. It would be good for remote driving too.
You guys are overthinking it.
All you need is a sat phone if you are really worried about your safety and wellbeing...
You going to spend 1K on a radio, a booster/repeater and they just don't cut it.
PLB's is one-way traffic, you cant talk to the other side.What if you need some instruction for a medical emergency?. Not convinced they are good value for traveling by car.
UHF for me is just for traveling in a convoy of friends. Next to useless anywhere else.
over and out
Mixo
-- Edited by mixo on Wednesday 11th of May 2022 10:10:23 AM
A sat 'phone is fine if you have the cash and the ongoing monthly fees, but if you are in a car upside down off the road in the scrub, it simply will not work. Then if it does actually work, you need to decide who to call and be able to hold a conversation and describe EXACTLY where you are.
A PLB costs $300 TOTAL for 7 years use. There are zero other costs. If the car is upside down, you simply activate it and throw it out the window. It will keep sending the signal for at least 24 hours. Then the whole rescue operation happens quickly and automatically and there is ZERO cost.
I would advicate the ownership of a PLB as well as a sat phone, if you have one, but not a sat phone on its own.
Cheers,
Peter
Wow have we become that soft since the advent of the mobile phone, neediing the security blanket of a phone to ensure our survival, sure PLB, Hf radio and Satphones are wise if you plan venturing off the beaten track, but to cross the Nullarbor heavens forbid give me a break.
We have made to East-West journey a couple of times in the 70's when it wasnt a sealed road all the way, even today we uas the greatest device on a mobile phone ............the off button.
Getting back to the original question
Recently went across the Nullarbor, each way, in the last few months
I only had Aldimobile, and I can confirm that there is reception in both Norseman WA, and Ceduna SA, but absolutely nothing in between
I saw a public phone at every servo, except Balladonia, perhaps a vehicle was blocking it from my view
When you don't have a mobile connection use a global satalite to smartphone device.
www.satcomglobal.com/smartphone-to-satphone
Any idea of the cost for these things?
I also wonder if there is any delay because it's going to and from a satellite?