HF Radio or not?
Submitted: Saturday, Feb 07, 2004 at 10:33
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Andy
Hi all,
Umming and aahhhing about buying an
HF Radio. Mainly thinking of it as a saftey item. We are planning a 3 month trip leaving in May from
Melbourne across the Nulli to south western Aust then up the west coast stopping along the way.
Broome and
Cape Leveque then
Gibb river road but perhaps not
Mitchell falls. Kunnunara,
Katherine, down through the centre and
home. (You know the drum!) We went to get off the main roads a bit and will be towing a top quality camper. Taking our 6 and 9 yr old boys with us.
Never been to the west, so unsure how remote it will be. (I suppose it depends where you choose to go)
Anyway, I am interested in others opinions.
thanks
andrew
Reply By: Member - Peter- Sunday, Feb 08, 2004 at 08:27
Sunday, Feb 08, 2004 at 08:27
Like others have mentioned we too travelled extensively with no HF 25 years ago,
young and invincible etc. But when the kids came along we decided it was a bit irresponsible to take little kids into remote areas without one. It does seem a lot of money but the first time you have to use it in 'anger' to get medical assistance in a remote area (in our case Mt Beadell) for an 18 month old it has paid for itself.
Since having the radio we have used it on about 1/2 a dozen occasions to contact the RFDS or arrange vehicle assistance for us or others and would have been in trouble without it.
AnswerID:
45813
Reply By: Crackles - Sunday, Feb 08, 2004 at 16:14
Sunday, Feb 08, 2004 at 16:14
Don't bother wasting your money. You really sound like you intend sticking to the basic 4x4 tourist route and at that time of year, you are only going to have to wait 10 or 20 minutes if that for someone to come along with enough radio gear to talk to the Mars explorer. If you were to be doing the Canning, some cross country desert work or driving off season
well it would be worth it then.
If you are still paranoid and feel you must have your security blanket, buy a tested 2nd hand portable unit fitted with the VKS 737 frequency's and pack it in the back.
Sell for around $600. Craig..............
AnswerID:
45877
Reply By: Crackles - Sunday, Feb 08, 2004 at 16:16
Sunday, Feb 08, 2004 at 16:16
Don't bother wasting your money. You really sound like you intend sticking to the basic 4x4 tourist route and at that time of year, you are only going to have to wait 10 or 20 minutes if that for someone to come along with enough radio gear to talk to the Mars explorer. If you were to be doing the Canning, some cross country desert work or driving off season
well it would be worth it then.
If you are still paranoid and feel you must have your security blanket, buy a tested 2nd hand portable unit fitted with the VKS 737 frequency's and pack it in the back.
Sell for around $600. Craig..............
AnswerID:
45878
Reply By: Member - Eskimo - Sunday, Feb 08, 2004 at 16:43
Sunday, Feb 08, 2004 at 16:43
I dont know a lot about this either!
dont know how far off the beaten track your wanting to go?
but if not would'nt a UHF be more than adequate. A lot of stations have or usualy set up a repeater for adjoining neighbours to use to get that "extra" distance when required.
If you had a portable epirb (you could take it with you when bushwalking) as a back up to UHF for remote areas then i reckon you'd be covered.
having said that HF sounds nice and one can alwyas listen to the side chat
a sat phone (hire?) also sounds nice!
mmmmm how much$$$$ can I find mmm?
Wow, am I cute! The extra long legs are built-in prevention against ducks disease. Great looks and a real goer. Doesnt waddle along like some.
AnswerID:
45884