communications

kwassy · Member

communications

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

A UHF CB would be useful, but you should NEVER rely on i for emergencies. Cost $200 and upwards.
For emergencies, I would strongly recommend a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). Cost about $300 with no ongoing annual costs and a battery life of 7 to 10 years.
www.gme.net.au/catalogue/emergency-beacons-and-safety/mt410g.aspx
These must be registered with the Department of Communications and if you switch one on ANYWHERE, a signal will be sent via satellite along with your position and help will be sent very quickly. That help is free, but they must not be deployed unless the situation is life threatening.
The cheapest insurance you can get.

Cheers,
Peter

kwassy · Member

thanks Peter, will definitely get one, and I take careful note that it has to be life threatening, like a snake bite etc which I realise is rare, but....

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

kwassy wrote:
thanks Peter, will definitely get one, and I take careful note that it has to be life threatening, like a snake bite etc which I realise is rare, but....

Lots of things can be considered as life threatening. A medical condition or accident when treatment was required quickly is obvious, but broken down somewhere with little chance of passers-by to assist would also be included.

The registration process allows you to describe the vehicle, include photographs, to list emergency contacts and to detail your proposed travel plans - all good information to reduce false alarms.

PLBs work world wide by the way and we take ours any time we go overseas. The response may not be as quick, but the Australian authorities WILL respond and they are small enough to put on your belt when you go for a walk, or go to catch a fish. "Never leave home without it".

Cheers,

Peter

kwassy · Member

;thanks Peter a

excellent advise., my husband was chased by an eastern brown while on a lonely logging truck road, ( I think the snake was just making sure of his territory, as I think if snake really wanted to he would have caught up with husband who was doing less than 4min mile. ) that gave us real wake up call. We are so looking forward to doing some 4x4 tracks, nothing too remote, have a good toyota hilux , and will cut our teeth on the Oodnadatta Track.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome to thw gang Kwassy, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I agree with UHF (Fitted to car) and a PLB.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

kwassy · Member

HI Doug

thanks for the welcome , I feel part of the gang now.

NeilandRaine · Guru

one simple thing as well as all the above is a phone app called emergency+. It gives you access to any emergency service and give your location grid reference
emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au/

PeterInSa · Guru

I agree on the PLB, we have one.

But if you are making frequent trips, I think a sat phone gives you that much more confidence in being able to contact someone: if you break down, for mechanical advice, have a medical condition and need help, ( Doctors on Demand part of a CMCA insurance package) or your local after hours GP, or Flying Doctor etc.

I understand that with the Telstra type Sat phones you can insert the sim card from your digital Telstra phone providing its on a plan and has roaming and it will work in the Iridium ($400-$700) Sat phones. But suggest you investigate this more B4 purchase. ( We have another Brand Sat Phone which I would not recommend)

www.ebay.com.au/itm/Iridium-9505A-Satellite-Phone-with-Warranty/231858943309

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Wednesday 18th of April 2018 09:11:37 PM

kwassy · Member

thanks for all advise, have gone for a UHF GME TX3350 from Rydar as recommended, and will get a PBL. Have also downloaded the emergency app on ph. that last one is excellent in any area, city, etc, as often the person calling triple 0 is panicking. this is simple to access.

Leo · Senior Member

NeilandRaine wrote:
one simple thing as well as all the above is a phone app called emergency+. It gives you access to any emergency service and give your location grid reference
emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au/

I have that.

However it depends on mobile coverage and if you are out of range it cannot summon help.

It is back to Peter's PLB recommendation and maybe someone, Peter?, can recommend a suitable one.

Added, sorry, you probably already aware of the limitation, but others may not.

-- Edited by Leo on Thursday 19th of April 2018 12:01:13 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

There are 2 popular PLBs - the KTi and the GME MT410G.
Buy one with a GPS as it gives better position accuracy.
The KTi is popular as it has a 10 year battery life compared with 7 for the GME. I recently had new batteries put into my GME (not cheap, but better than a new PLB), I am not sure if the KTi can have new batteries or is a throw away.
GME is an Australian company and that is worth supporting.

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Thursday 19th of April 2018 05:11:34 PM

Mike Harding · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
GME is an Australian company and that is worth supporting.

As is KTI:

http://kti.com.au/about/

And I believe the PLB batteries can be factory replaced.