Satellite Phone

I think that is a very sensible idea for anyone travellig for extended periods and in remote areas.

Whilst the initial cost may be more expensive, you get free to air communications and the ability to commuicate with others on a broadcast basis.

In an emergency i'd prefer to rely on HF radio.

Good luck

why would you rather rely on a hf instead of a sat phone? in an emergency....._____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

A HF can be used to make a broadcast call, if you are in trouble help may be just around the corner, or over the next sand dune.

In contrast, a call on a telephone line must be to a specific person.

Cheers

Landie that line is very popular but the authorities would be able to broadcast a call for you.
The other thing is if everyones asleep who's listening to the HF? Not me.
I know of heaps of HF radios that will only get turned on in an emergency because it's too much hassle to have on.
Out of all the govt cars out here they have both sat and hf - guess what the hf is never on.
Hf is for affecianado's ,people trying to save call costs, oh and those that reckon it looks and feels outback.

Slammin

I think you last commnet about HF is borne out of ignorance - no malice intended.

Ideally, I believe that anyone travelling in the remote outback should carry a combination of EPIRB, SatPhone and HF Radio, as under different circumstances each one of these items may save your life.

As for not being turned on, many lives have been saved by the RFDS and they monitor their frequencies 24 hours a day. Most new HF radios are set up to send an alarm to RFDS bases in an emergency.

We can also make phone calls on our HF radio, so we get the best of both worlds at a cost much cheaper than the Satphone.

My preference remains HF, but we carry a Satphone just in case.

Re read the last sentence c a r e f u l l y and then point out the ignorance landie. Aren't you the one saving on call costs. I feel I may have touched a nerve about being "outback" - My point there is how many vehicles have you seen accessorised with everything and all for show.

I do notice that you don't comment on my first point.

For someone here shortterm I would recommend a sat and epirb and if they then want to cover all bases get radio's as well but I fail to see where you would prefer HF over sat in an emergency. This thread started about sat not hf so you must realise that based on your information you are advising potentially novice travelers to get a HF setup instead of a sat.
When a car rolls - which is the most common accident here in the outback is the hf going to work? not likely the aerials going to be bleep e and the batteries lying on the road split. Just like the ambulance here a month ago, the private vehicle 3 months ago etc etc etc - but did the nurse use the hf NOPE the sat. The hf wouldn't of worked anyway!
Whereas the satphone is pretty robust is usually packed away and doesn't rely on the car to work. Hf for emergency?

Landie one last point you said you carry a satphone just in case I think you meant to say you carry a satphone just in case of emergency.

Slammin

In terms of your first comment, there appeared to be little point in me pointing out the obvious. For the authoirties to make a broadcast call they would do so on HF in the outback.

I'm not advising anyone to do anything, I'm sure sensibly minded people are able to make sensible choices, when presented with all the alternatives. If they can't do that they should stay away from remote areas in Australia.

I've simply stated my preference. It is important to remember that HF has been an efficient means of communication for a long time, it can't be switched off. One of the reason there were so many Iridium handsets around at a very cheap price was becuase the system was "turned off" and they were as useless as you know what...

Mind you, I'm not suggesting it wil happen again, but history says it has already happened once.

However, you make a very valid point about accidents and cars rolling over. I am in agreement with you and that is why I also pointed out that a combination of Satphone, HF and EPIRB is the way to go for remote outback travel. Murphy's law suggests that when something goes wrong, it all goes wrong, so it is wise to cover as many contingenices as you can afford to.

HF is not an accessorie to be worn, and I'm yet to meet anyone that has one for that purpose, usually these types don't get past the supermarket car park. I have found that a HF radio has been a great way to commuicate with many like minded people in the outback.

Clearly you have never enjoyed the comraderie ever present in the VKS-737 HF network.

All the best in your travels and certainly rest assured you haven't touched any "raw" nerve here.

Good luck
Landie

Landie as usual in these discussions it ends up that we agree. ROFL!!

Great offer Baron, this is what this sites all about.Laterally Literal
Seriously Cerebral

Or $280 here:

http://www.theaviatorstore.com.au/prod2337.htm

Or here:

http://www.mapsdownunder.com.au/cgi-bin/mapshop/MG-EPIRB-RB3.html

That is without the strobe. As Viola says, $306 is pretty good price with strobe.

Or $294 with 5% member money discount brings it to $279.30 for members from our own Adventure Shophere and know that you are supporting the business that brings this site you.Regards
ExplorOz Team - David
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Always working, not enough travelling ;-)

$319 is the price quoted on your website for the KTI strobe unit and not $294 as you have indicated.
The strobe unit at Gowings is only $305.95 as previously indicated
A strobe unit is the preferred and recommended unit

Ok then $319.00 with member money discount for the strobe unit gives you a price of $303.05 and you are still supporting the site that brings this forum and all the benifits to you.Regards
ExplorOz Team - David
--------------------------
Always working, not enough travelling ;-)

Good point Blackie, maybe just in case they should leave a trail of breadcrumbs so they can follow it back home j/kLaterally Literal
Seriously Cerebral