Thread: Which Radio?

Originally Posted by KarlB

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

Originally Posted by garrycol

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

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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

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

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

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 ).

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

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