Epirb

[Grizzly_Adams]

G'day all,

One of the "essentials" that I have been advised by St. John ambulance to have on long trips (for example, our upcoming trip to Cape York) is an EPIRB.

Does anyone have any advice on any particular brand to get or where to get them from? I know someone on this site use to run a GPS shop (I was thinking of looking to see if he had any) but I'm buggered if I can remember who or what the address was.

I was told to get a newer model as the system changed in the last couple of years and the newer ones will be a bit better and last a bit longer because (eventually) they will switch off the old system... apart from that.....

I've seen them advertised from $200 => $350 but I just dunno what in particular I should be looking for....

[Windaroo]

Try Johnny Appleseed near you in Ipswich Rd Annerley

[waynep]

There are a couple of models that I know of

For Aussie made ones :
GME in sydney make them.
KTI in Melbourne near the Morrabbin airport also make them http://www.kti.com.au. This is what I have and found no problem with it ( not that I would know as I hope to never use it :p )

You can look on their websites for a list of distributors.

They run at about $250 -$300 for the handheld ones on the older system. You need to take it in to have them replace the battery every 5 years and test it at around $70.

The current satellites are being turned off around 2009 I think. They are going to a new satellite system that offers much better location capabilities. These new units are available now but still quite expensive. However if you can wait a while they wil lcome down in price and I think these are the way to go. KTI are about to release a small sized unit on the new system.

EPIRB are Ok for "last ditch help" in emergencies but not as useful as a two way device like Sat Phone or HF radio of course. But I always have one in the glovebox and especially if you are going remote on your own it is nice to have the security.

( Moderator : maybe this thread should go in the communications section )

[weeds]

if i had the spare $$$ i would buy one

i did the rig road across the simpson which is the most remote track, i borrowed a sat phone for the which i though would be good enough with a gps

traveling the cape i wouldn't think you be sitting around waiting for the next car to come along, i think i read in the tech section you are traveling with another landy which is handy, i traveled the simpson solo

if you dont have a sat phone or hf radio they are a cheap emergency comms

[Grizzly_Adams]

We're taking a Sat Phone though that is supposedly only for 1 of the party members work, and we've all got UHF's and I at least have a normal AM CB radio..

The EPIRB is only for emergency but better safe than sorry.

The example we were given was a couple fitting out their 4wd will radios and whilst in the middle of nowhere they roll the vehicle snapping all their radio antennas, the radios became pretty pieces of junk after that.

[camel_landy]

An EPIRB is easier to activate but is really only for use as a "GET ME OUT OF HERE" emergency. Frankly, if you're wanting something while up in the Cape, I wouldn't bother, there'll be another car along in 5 mins!

I use a sat phone myself as it's more versatile and takes up about the same amount of space.

HTH

Mark.

[waynep]

More info here on the two different EPIRB systems.

http://beacons.amsa.gov.au/

It appears they stopping detection of the the 121.5 MHz units ( which most of us would be using ) in Feb 2009.

[George130]

You can also rent both the sat phones and the EPIRB.
My quote was sat phone $120 a week plus calls. Never got the quote on the EPIRB as the club I'm a member of has two for club member use.

[matbor]

Get the EPIRB's with the built in GPS, only the newer and the more $$ have this !!

[JDNSW]

More info here on the two different EPIRB systems.

http://beacons.amsa.gov.au/

It appears they stopping detection of the the 121.5 MHz units ( which most of us would be using ) in Feb 2009.

Should be amplified - this is when satellite detection will stop, but this is the international emergency aviation frequency, and is (and will into the future) be monitored by all aircraft in flight that carry two or more VHF transceivers, which means all commercial flights.
This means your emergency is likely to be detected after this, but finding you could be more difficult.

[Grizzly_Adams]

Another good write-up on the change can be found here:

http://www.gme.net.au/epirb/cospas_changes.php

[slipedisk]

If you do get an EPIRB be carefull were you put it, without going into my job, I heard of one getting knocked around and getting turned on, bit of a horrible feeling driving around the counrty with the thing going off. Another good thing is an SSB CB we got caught at Cordilo Downs Station with the rest of the party heading towards Birdsville radio'd to some old guys talking in Perth got them to phone relay a message to the local boys in blue to then they phoned the local copper in Birdsville to inform the party of what was going on. AM CB useless out there, UHF only good if there's repeaters around and Sat ph was a hit & miss normal ph just a paper weight.
Always tell someone before you head of in the distance of your timings have to play it safe sometimes.
Cheers.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The problem with EPIRB is that it gets one response, a full scale search and rescue, and those people are not happy if it's a breakdown without people in imminent danger to life and limb.

Sat phones can be (are) unreliable, because of the lack of satellites over Australia, valleys and if anyone knows about SatTV thick clouds destroy the signal.

Spend your money on some real HF Radio equipment, Codan or Barrett and join VKS737, which will give you much more reliable communication and they don't mind arranging for spare parts etc. The other good thing is that other VKS737 members may be near by, listening in and possibly able to help out.

Cheers
Lotz-A-Landies
1950 80"
1951 ex-RACQ 80"
1967 SIIB 110" Forward Control
1985 Range Rover Hiline 4.6 L
spare 1985 Range Rover Hi-Line 3.5L
VKS737 - Romeo2540

[Grizzly_Adams]

G'day Lots-a-Landies,

I intend to get a good quality HF, however for that I want / need to get my radio license first :eek: Which I will be doing, just not right now :angel:


I understand that EPIRB's are for life-threatening emergencies only, however my first aid instructor raised a very valid point when relying solely on radio's. Hypothetical situation: You are out and about and in the course of your journey you roll your 4wd in the middle of nowhere, in the process snapping off your radio antennas.... as of that moment the radio's aren't much good :( You have food and water for x days (on the assumption the water container wasn't punctured) and wait for that long for someone to come past, but if they don't want do you do?

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that will happen & I'm not saying there aren't ways around it - all I'm saying is that I want the facility to cover as many options as possible. Yes an EPIRB is a be-all-and-end-all danger-warning-will-robinson piece of equipment, however it should still be considered a valuable piece of equipment to take

I too am not keen on Sat. phones. They're expensive, they're point-to-point (whereas HF are - as you say - broadcast so someone much closer may hear and come to your aid), and they're finicky.. but it's handy to have as many options as possible, you never know which one is gonna be needed on the day

[Lotz-A-Landies]

..................
I intend to get a good quality HF, however for that I want / need to get my radio license first :eek: ................ You are out and about and in the course of your journey you roll your 4wd in the middle of nowhere, in the process snapping off your radio antennas.... as of that moment the radio's aren't much good :( You have food and water for x days (on the assumption the water container wasn't punctured) and wait for that long for someone to come past, but if they don't want do you do?.............

Grizzly

Sorry for the long delay between posts.

Just a couple of points, if you join VKS 737 for HF comms, you don't need a licence :nazilock: or more correctly you are an authorised user on a licenced network.

In an emergency, you are permitted to communicate using any available communications device with or without a licence.

EPIRBS can not tell you what to do to keep people alive :confused: while waiting for help to arrive.

If you roll over and break your antenna, :eek: you should get out your emergency long wire antenna and connect it to your set and to some high point in the environment, even if it is just the wheels of your upturned rig. If you don't have an emergency long wire antenna, the instructions how to make one are in the information from VKS737 you usually carry with the set. If you don't have the information connect to any long bit of wire - even a fence and see if you can raise someone on the 100 or so channels that can be programmed into the set.

EPIRBS have just as much chance of failing as good quality HF equipment, Codan, Barrett or Q'Mac. Instead of EPIRB's many people carry a second portable HF set, (what they sometimes call lunchbox because thats what they look like). These are small, have their own battery supply and long wire antenna and take loads of punishment. :bangin:

Don't get me wrong, :angel: EPIRBS are a very valuable piece of equipment, and worth having as an adjunt to your HF radio. In fact worthwhile having for very remote travel and at least one in any group for less remote travel but it's not necessary to have one in each vehicle.

Regards
Diana