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VHF would be useless out there and normally requires a licence to use, although in an emergency a licence isn't required. Furthermore any frequency/band can be used including frequencies allocated to private networks such as the VKS737 network even though the operators might not like it as by law they must render assistance.Quote:
Originally Posted by V8Ian
I suspect that you meant HF and perhaps using a private network rather than amateur HF.
No .
Once the area drys out,they will be able to drive the vehicle out.
As for the question,i am sitting on the fence.[bighmmm][biggrin]
All the unvaccinated in hospital with avoidable issues should be billed +++ [biggrin][biggrin][biggrin]
Just kidding But I know for a fact that choice cost us a LOT more than a remote rescue does[bigwhistle][bigwhistle][bigwhistle]
That's why humans have a crack in their bum. [biggrin]Quote:
Originally Posted by scarry
Yes VHF useless out there (needs line of sight, etc. Marine use only), HF would be the go.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graeme
A cray boat in Vic can talk to another one in WA with HF and a tuned antenna.
Both VHF (ch 16) and HF (ch 82??) are monitored for emergencies, pan and mayday, so a private network is not really necessary in in an emergency.
DL
CODAN radios are pretty standard for people to carry, but they didn't have one - they appear to have set off the EPIRB because they were worried that the kids might get hurt. Playing in the mud.
Edit: were they actually in the Simpson Desert?
There aren't defined channels on amateur VHF / HF so I suspect that you're referring to marine VHF / HF channels if not private networks such as the private HF network VKS737.Quote:
Originally Posted by 350RRC
Yep marine channels, didn't know there were 'other'. Amateurs use 16 and lots of 67 on VHF at sea all the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graeme
A pan or mayday call on HF in the desert would get picked up on the 8??? frequency by 24hr marine monitoring.
I've got a ROCP but have never used HF, can't remember the exact monitored frequency and there's no way I can remember how to tune the antenna.
If I was getting to get a sand hit it would only take 5 mins to bring it all back for reference out there with HF.
Sat phone and epirb combo would be easier and cheaper in any case.
DL
They appear to have been well prepared, and had about a fortnight's supplies. I would have been a bit concerned about having young children just there this late in the year, simply because of the temperatures you can expect. (I should point out that in the 1960s I spent two years working in the middle of the Simpson for twelve months of the year - in tents, and with very limited communication.)
Interestingly, one of their major concerns seems to be that they could not let the kids out to play in the mud as they wanted to, since they did not have the water to wash them. However, it is not clear to me who made the decision to evacuate. The fact that a police helicopter was used perhaps suggests that it was a police initiative.
No, I do not believe that they should be billed - start doing this and there will be a lot of money spent on search and recovery and investigations rather than rescues, since, as pointed out by some above, people will simply not call for help until it is too late.