io, io, it's off to the Simpson I go.

Submitted: Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 10:04
ThreadID: 101669 Views:1988 Replies:3 FollowUps:5
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Hello all,
Yep you read that right. My trusty Pajero io and I are heading off tomorrow morning to cross the Simpson Desert.

It's my first time across the Simpson although I have now on several occasions dipped my toes into it from the eastern end.

First night will be at Marree to catch up with Maz and Phil at the Hotel, second night I hope to catch up with Jeff at Mt. Dare (a bit out the way, but what's the rush?). Then it's lunch and a dip at Dalhousie before I start my crossing. We've planned for 3 days to cross the desert although I'm happy to blow that out to 5 days. Plenty of provisions to do so.

Through years of reading this forum, I'm pretty sure I have things covered, and I'll be travelling with 3 other vehicles. 40 litres of water ( supplemented by juice and Ginger Beer), 60 litres of fuel in jerry's, enough food for about 1.5 weeks and a -34 degree sleeping bag, swag and pull out awing for shade. Comms will be via a UHF (25 watt) and HF radio. Running OziExplorer although the maps that came with the desert pass look more than enough.

Taking the French line until Purni, then dropping south to pick up the WAA line and sounth again to pick up the Rig Road, then north up Knolls, past the Lone tree, Poepells and into Birdsville.

Only one more sleep..... busy day ahead today so catch you all tonight and later on my return. It's probably fair to say I'll be the only io out there, so if you see me, say g'day.... I don't bite.

Fab.
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Reply By: Ozrover - Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 10:16

Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 10:16
Fab,

Good to hear that your still coming out for a play in the sand, the latest reports that we are getting, are that from east of the Knolls track/French line junction it is pretty chopped up & slow going.

Don't forget to drop your tyre pressures when you hit the dirt! & take your time, you'll have a great trip.

AnswerID: 508916

Follow Up By: Member - Fab72 (Paradise SA) - Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 10:26

Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 10:26
Cheers Jeff.
Forgot to mention, I'll have 2 spare tyres/rims onboard too, however the name of the game is to carry them out unused. Have read your advice re: tyre pressures so will follow that advice.

Fab.

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FollowupID: 786517

Reply By: Member - Andrew L (QLD) - Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 18:34

Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 18:34
Sounds good and good prep work.

....but why the 25 watt UHF..?

Us normal folk out there are going to hear your from a hundred kilometres away ...booming your conversations to all...but in an emergency...we won't be able to talk to you..so why.?

I hate that, you hear it every season out there, a few pumping 25 watts out across the desert plains and stuffing up the channel for a hundred kilometres.
AnswerID: 508945

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 19:05

Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 19:05
Don't worry, UHF is line of sight. It won't go more than 20 or so km regardless of the power unless the antenna is mounted 10m above the roof.
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FollowupID: 786551

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 20:14

Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 20:14
Hi Andrew

That could have been a typo, as we all know the the maximum legal power output on general out of the shop UHF transmitters is only 5w.



Cheers


Stephen
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FollowupID: 786564

Follow Up By: Member - Fab72 (Paradise SA) - Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 20:37

Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 20:37
Oh yeah... a typo. To get 25W, I would have to have a commercial unit, a boot leg program off the internet and a patch cable probably from some where like ebay.
IF... I were to have a 25W unit, I'd only run 25W on the repeater channels and the emergency channel anyway....definitly not on the usual chat channels for the reasons outlined by Boobook.

Fab.
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FollowupID: 786567

Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 20:18

Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 20:18
Hi Fab

You will have a great trip, with lots of soft sand. Sounds like a good mixture of tracks for a first trip. You will still have quite warm days out there, with mild nights.

Looking forward to a report when you get home.



Cheers



Stephen
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AnswerID: 508957

Follow Up By: Member - Fab72 (Paradise SA) - Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 20:42

Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 at 20:42
Hello Stephen,
The weather couldn't be any better. As you know, I hate the cold and looking at the approximate night time temperatures, even the Simpson is still having mild nights at the moment. Perfect!

Heading up via Hwy 1 to Port Augusta, but will be heading home through Clare etc.

My daughter is spending the week with friends up at Hammond. Even on a long trip, I can't escape being Dad's taxi.
I'll definitley post a follow up on my return.
Fab.
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FollowupID: 786568

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