Coming to Oz

Since you already have a Satphone I'd be sticking with that,
you just need a contact list of local emerg no's .

I find Inmarsat Isatphone pro just great, sounds like thats what you have if you used Mini-m before. You will need to switch to POR (Pacific ocean region)
tho IOR will cover most of OZ except the east coast. .

61 is the country code, just drop the first 0 from the national numbers

here is the list of LR parts and service vendors around the country
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-ch...australia.html

and RFDS contact numbers
Emergency Numbers | Royal Flying Doctor Service

000 (911) Emerg numbers dont work on stat phone, might pay you to also dig up a list of local police stations for their FNN (full national number)

Like in the UK everyone hates BT, everyone here loves to hate Telstra but as prev mentioned its the best network as far as coverage is concerned but pretty useless in the remote outback. Line of sight to a cell tower wont go far 50klm max. I use Telstra / Next G Blue tick rural phone with an external broomstick antenna,

I also use SPOT tracker as mentioned earlier. I have SPOT ver1 , it works worldwide, no need to reprogramme, Far as Im concerned if you take nothing else one of these will save your life if you get into trouble. For a couple of hundred bucks & $150 year service its a no brainer, youve got this far I'm sure you have that sorted.

As mentioned RFDS HF radio is also popular but for my money inmarsat is the go.

Will keep an eye open for you on the track.

Can't add any more regarding phones to what has already been said, but!
I think the beer budget problem can be alleviated somewhat, you'll find us a pretty hospitable mob, a few roo steaks on the barbie and nice cold Coopers beers aplenty around the Riverland area of SA.

Domestic beer in Australia is a fair bit cheaper here, you can't go remote without BEER it's downright unAustralian:mad:

Stick with the sat-phone, and let people know where your going, not only is a safe way to travel, if you meet people off the forum, you can get free accommodation and free beer:D:beer:

Baz.

If going outback I may also be looking at taking an EPIRB for emergencys

Gary

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Originally Posted by 33chinacars

If going outback I may also be looking at taking an EPIRB for emergencys

Gary

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A Spot Messenger, as mentioned, is cheaper and will allow you to send ok messages and or emergency message. And they dont have a shelf life.;)

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Originally Posted by inside

Arriving November. Here for 6 months. Pretty hot out there even in April/May.

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x2^^
Also, some of the remote areas are closed during our summer months due to the extreme conditions.

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Originally Posted by goingbush

I find Inmarsat Isatphone pro just great, sounds like thats what you have if you used Mini-m before. You will need to switch to POR (Pacific ocean region)
tho IOR will cover most of OZ except the east coast. .

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I'm the one with Mini-M... Jules didn't say what he has (but I'd guess at Iridium).

As for beer... Coopers Sparkling is the way to go.:cool: Keep a couple of those in the Engel for once the camp is setup. ;)

M

Yes you guessed right I have an Inmarsat Iridium Sat Phone and also an EPIRB.
I will of course get a local sim card in any case but although it sounds eminently sensible to fit a radio as well that will cut into the budget again.

Of course I will lodge my routes as I go and if i's really tough and remote then I won't and shouldn't be doing it alone.

Plenty of water and emergency supplies are routine for me now. But will be taking extra for emergency in the outback. (I also watched "Bush Tucker Man" and the Sullivans as a kid :) ).

Yes the weather is a tricky thing and the heat is a concern, as are the floods, tornados, locust plagues and not forgetting the bush fires.

Perhaps I will need to stay longer than May. My visa is for 1 year so apart from budget have some flexibility.

I also need to keep my snow chains sponsor happy and want to get up in the Snowy Mountains, for some pretty pictures in the snow, so it will take some proper planning.

Thanks again to all for the advice and the offers of hospitality will be gratefully accepted.

Nice, Fancy carrying snow chains all the way around the world to end up using them here, a little known fact is the Australian Alps receive more snow (in Winter) and cover more area than the Swiss Alps . July - Aug is the best time for snow, there is none from November - May.



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Quote:

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Originally Posted by goingbush

Nice, Fancy carrying snow chains all the way around the world to end up using them here, a little known fact is the Australian Alps receive more snow (in Winter) and cover more area than the Swiss Alps . July - Aug is the best time for snow, there is none from November - May.



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Doesn't time fly when you are having fun!! Sorry for the late response. But Asia has had quite a hold on me. And recently I have been busy with the Muay Thai scene here in Thailand.

But I will be coming down under very soon indeed! The 24th November in fact! When the car, trusty "Tango" (he says with fingers crossed) clears the docks at Melbourne.

Yes, you are right, it has not been ideal to carry snow chains everywhere, but they have been a big help and sponsor so its quid pro quo or something like that. So, Australian snow would be a great bonus and something of note back home.

So, its not long now!
If anyone wants to meet up, join me on a trail or join me or assist with an Australian reception and launch of the next leg of the Sports Trek project do let me know.