Which Radio?

[Meandering]

I will be shipping my Defender 130 to Oz (from the UK) for a 12 month visit, a lot of which will be in remote areas. What radio system(s) should I fit when I arrive. As this is a short stay I would be looking for a cost effective solution.

In the UK we only use CB and even then on a very limited basis.


Any advise would be appreciated!

[PhilipA]

You will get a variety of answers here , as HF radio is a sort of enthusiast religion.
However unless you want to take the time to read the "Koran" and learn how it all works, the better solution IMHO is a satphone, either Iridium which is available from Telstra or the Thuraya satellite based system.

This article gives an overview,
Satellite Phone @ ExplorOz Articles (http://www.exploroz.com/OntheRoad/Communications/SatellitePhone.aspx#Satellite_Providers_-_Handheld)

If you want cheaper an EPIRB or SPOT are options for safety.

A UHF CB is useful for short range coms in the outback.

Look, unless you want to do the MOST remote tracks like the Canning Stock Route, there is enough traffic anywhere that you will not die if stuck as long as you have plenty of water and the old refrain "STAY WITH THE CAR".
My personal recommendation would be just a Telasta Next G mobile and an EPIRB, and UHF with scan if you want to cross the Simpson, or other sand dune areas so you have an idea of who is coming over the next dune.

Regards Philip A

[Bushwanderer]

Isn't it a pain when typos ruin the message. :eek:

What PhilipA meant was Telstra Next G.

Having said that, I agree with his solutions - EPIRB + Next G + UHF.

It's actually quite difficult to be specific when we don't know what you mean by "remote".

Regarding UHF, this is the most common form of CB radio in Oz. In fact, many stations (graziers properties of, sometimes, thousands of square kms) use UHF comms on their property. They, commonly, have a base station with a massive antenna and so can pick up transmissions from quite large distances.

HTH,
Peter

[Meandering]

Many thanks PhilipA and Bushwanderer. I'll take your recommendations onboard.

The Simpson is on our list of to-do's but this will be as part of a small convoy so I guess a smaller handheld UHF setup would cover inter vehicle comm's and save the installation of major antenna?

[PhilipA]

Yes, but get a 5watt one which is more expensive than the 1watt toy ones.
You will need to be heard in swales with a sandhill between.

Regards Philip A

[KarlB]

An EPIRB is a bit of an over kill in terms of functionality for vehicular travel. A PLB is a much smaller and cheaper way to go but still maintain all the necessary functionality (for life threateneing emergency situations only). UHF is ideal for nearby vehicle to vehicle coms (good to know if others are nearby). I consider a Next G mobile (especially with an auxiliary aerial) as a basic (just a mobile phone on a network lets you comminicate in most places especially if you are prepared to walk up the nearest hill). SatPhone is probably better than HF radio but very expensive and unnecessary except in the most remote places. May be better to hire one if you really need it.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Bushwanderer]

Hi Karl,
I agree with MOST of what you say, but an EPIRB is the ultimate EMERGENCY device. If you don't have an emergency, then you don't need an EPIRB. ;)

Best Wishes,
Peter

[Bushwanderer]

SNIP
The Simpson is on our list of to-do's but this will be as part of a small convoy so I guess a smaller handheld UHF setup would cover inter vehicle comm's and save the installation of major antenna?

Hi Meandering,
If you are planning any solo travel I suggest that you invest in a car-based UHF. Otherwise, a (5W) handheld will probably be fine.

Best Wishes,
Peter

PS: If you are starting from Sydney, I may be able to lend a car-based unit to you.

[KarlB]

Hi Karl,
I agree with MOST of what you say, but an EPIRB is the ultimate EMERGENCY device. If you don't have an emergency, then you don't need an EPIRB. ;)

Best Wishes,
Peter

Peter, I am not sure what an EPIRB will do in a terrestrial situation that a PLB can't do. Indeed, I believe the PLB is much lighter, smaller, with a more compact shape, and cheaper, so is more likely to get taken places where an EPIRB is just a bother. Have a look at this GME pamplet for some comparisons: http://www.gme.net.au/public/pdf/brochures/epirb_plb_b.pdf

I would add, I am talking about the GME MT410G (PLBS | GME (http://www.gme.net.au/products/emergency-beacons/plbs/MT410G)) with integrated GPS to give locational accuracy of better than 100 metres.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[101RRS]

I am a bit confused - while there are minor differences, from the GME site, the EBIRB and a PLB are basically the same. In fact the PLB seems a little heavier than an EBIRB.

What am I missing here?

Garry

[KarlB]

I am a bit confused - while there are minor differences, from the GME site, the EBIRB and a PLB are basically the same. In fact the PLB seems a little heavier than an EBIRB.

What am I missing here?

Garry

A PLB weighs 250 gms while an EPIRB is more than 500 gms.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[101RRS]

A PLB weighs 250 gms while an EPIRB is more than 500 gms.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

Thanks

So they are the same thing except one weighs a bit more than the other - so on a 4wd trip there is really no difference.

The point is - in my view - that either an EPIRB or a PLB should be carried on any 4wd trip - and particularly on any remote trip.

Garry

[KarlB]

Thanks

So they are the same thing except one weighs a bit more than the other - so on a 4wd trip there is really no difference.

The point is - in my view - that either an EPIRB or a PLB should be carried on any 4wd trip - and particularly on any remote trip.

Garry
I agree Garry. But you can put a PLB in your pocket.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[33chinacars]

If going well off the beaten track I would hire a Satphone as well> Just another thought

[Distortion]

I was under the impression the major differences was an EPIRB had to have a minimum battery life of 48 hours and float upright while a plb only had to last 24 hours

Another reason I was given is a EPRIB is usually registered to a particular vessel and contains it's reg details, crew number etc while the plb is just that can be carried on a person and moved from boat to boat or to the 4wd.

[KarlB]

I was under the impression the major differences was an EPIRB had to have a minimum battery life of 48 hours and float upright while a plb only had to last 24 hours

Another reason I was given is a EPRIB is usually registered to a particular vessel and contains it's reg details, crew number etc while the plb is just that can be carried on a person and moved from boat to boat or to the 4wd.

You are correct about the 48 hrs vs 24 hrs and the float upright. However, a PLB, while it can be moved from vehicle to vehicle, is registered with AMSA, to one person. Each has a unique and identifing signal code. Registration is renewed every 2 years. If a PLB is deployed, AMSA would have a fix very quickly (minutes not hours), know whose PLB it is and have the names and contact details of 3 nominated people. The 48 hrs of an EPIRB may be very important if you are 100s of nautical miles out to sea and even more so if you are in the Southern Ocean, and importantly, drifting. In a terrestrial situation 24 hrs is more than adequate. Other differences include a lanyard so the EPIRB stays with you as you bob about in the briny. They (the better ones at least) deploy automatically (from their special cradle) if they get wet. PLBs are water proof and float but as I understand it, that is a 'robustness' feature and makes them less prone to being lost; though the high vis flashing strobe would continue in the water even if the signal is much reduced by that situation.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Meandering]

Hi Peter,
Thanks for your offer but it looks like I'll be arriving via Adelaide, although we will be making my way up to Sydney.
As a general question what does it take to install a car-base system e.g. wiring up, antenna etc?

Regards
Nick

[Bushwanderer]

Hi Nick,
Installing a UHF radio is very simple ( I've done it :D ).

As yours will be a temporary installation (although for 1 year) the installer will have extra flexibility.

IIRC, you will be in a Defender. I hope that others will chime in, but I think that roof mounting is popular with Defenders. You might also like to look at bringing a MUD Console with you.

MUDSTUFF.CO.UK, MUD Defender Replacement Dashboard Console, Land Rover Defender Solutions: West Yorkshire (http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/MUD_defender_console.shtml)

Again IIRC, you will have a roofrack, but not a bullbar. Mounting a UHF antenna to a roofrack is commonly done and suitable fittings should be readily obtainable. Alternatively, you could mount the antenna using a Z-fold, or similar mount under the bonnet.

Then it's just a matter of feeding the antenna cable through the firewall, or using the gaps between the doors and the body (sorry, cheap shot :D ).

I don't remember if you have an auxiliary battery but, if you do, I would take the UHF power from this. This will allow you to have the UHF on when the engine is off without risk of flattening the starting battery.

Sorry about the vagueness, but as I learn more details of your setup, I'll be able to be more specific.

HTH,
Peter

[Meandering]

Hi Peter,
Many thanks for the latest advice. Regards batteries we have two auxiliary batteries so power should not be an issue.
Pictures of Winnie are now stored in the Gallery section.

Regards
Nick

[The Brun]

Gday I got a wouxun KG-UVD1P. Being new to radios( i dont know any thing really) I was wondering if anyone mite give me some sort of personal reveiw on this radio. Me and a mate both got one. So far we have spoke to each other about 18kms apart with a few hills between is this good for a hand held ?