Thread: Epirb

Try Johnny Appleseed near you in Ipswich Rd Annerley

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 )

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 )

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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