Wednesday, Jul 31, 2013 at 17:35
Skeds are the Scheduled radio contacts, hence the nickname sked, which really should be spelt sched.
http://www.vks737.on.net is the
HF radio network most people use. They have set periods morning and afternoon whereby registered users can call in to let them know their whearabouts. They also pass out weather information. You get to hear where people are and marvel at the range of the
HF radio. I guess they are good for emergency contacts too, and are free to use once you've paid the licence fee. It's nice to have a chat to the operator if they are not busy and helps break the sense of isolation.
One thing I like is that your loved ones can leave messages if they need and they are broadcast to you when you log on. Everyone else hears them too, so nothing risqué!
The thing is Gizza that most of the time you are just fine, and it's the others at
home that worry about you. Having a SPOT locator is excellent for this.
Check the Exploreoz
shop for buying one, there's a new model out.
You can trigger a signal that goes to a satellite and lets others know where you are. Or another button will send a 'help' message, which isn't an emergency. The modern units allow connection via bluetooth to a mobile phone so you can send a text to a predetermined contact. Very very useful.
Then there is the '911' button, which sends a message to search and rescue in
Canberra, and ten minutes later the entire SAS search and rescue squad land next to you in a helicopter and cart you off to hospital whether you need it or not. Do not use this if you just need a flat tyre changed or have run out of matches!! This is a very flexible device, and much more useful than a standard EPIRB. Look up EPIRB in the Communications link I gave you before.
In determining what you need, you have to balance risk, cost, convenience. In the past, way back last century, I drove the same road you are heading onto in an EH Holden by myself with my dog, and another two times in an 1800cc Nissan Ute. Both 2WD. Both with standard tyres. I saw maybe one or two others on the roads outside the communities.
People knew I was safe when I knocked on the door to arrive
home.
Hand held UHF are pretty useless unless travelling close in a convoy. One thing a pair of them are very very good for, especially travelling with kids, is to make sure NO ONE wanders away from the
campsite without one. It is very easy to get bushwacked when you wander away for a pee in the bush - "oooow, they can still see me, I'd better go a bit further." Turn around three times and all that bush looks very very similar.
The biggest risk to safety is yourself and those travelling with you. Stern safety warnings are essential. Make rules and stick to them. Make a
plan B, and make sure there is a Plan if the adult/s become incapacitated through vehicle accident, alcoholism, or a heart attack.
It's easy to be blasé, but you are a long long way from
places to walk to. Don't fret too much, make sensible plans, and backups, and enjoy the challenge. Now a days, someone else is likely to come along in a few hours anyway, if not the next day.
Tim
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