Outback communication

HF radio (long distance) is an option too.Check out the Communications page here, plus the VKS-737 network’s site for general info (there are other HF providers/clubs too).
As for 5 watt UHF in-car units; Icom and GME are makes that would be hard to top for performance and reliability. I chose the Icom 400 pro, mainly because it is a commercial class radio ( as I understand it ). As for the antenna...take advice from the radio supplier...a properly matched antenna contributes hugely to overall performance.

Another vote for HF Radio. We are a member of VKS737 and one of the things I enjoy most about it is listening to the morning skeds while we are packing up camp. People calling in from all over Australia, very interesting and informative.

Also comforting to be able to talk to someone and let them know how we are going etc.

Once you buy the radio and set it up, the cost is minimal. Around $150.00? per year.

Some good bargains around too in the way of second hand units.

Not unusual to see a late model Barrett or Codan with an auto tune antenna for under $1000.00

Another vote for Icom uhf.

We carry a PLB (epirb) and a Satphone. Bought a Thuraya phone second hand & have it on a Pivotel casual plan -costs $15 per month plus $1per minute calls. We only have it for emergency use. Text messages are 50c. If we wanted to chat we can send anyone with a mobile phone & unlimited calls (most people these days) a text saying ‘call me’. Because the Pivotel give the Satphone a std Aus number (not all do) when someone calls us back we can talk for as long as we like at no additional cost to either party. We think this may also be useful if we had to call anywhere to source spare parts - more likely a supplier would call back if the call wasn’t going to cost them an arm & a leg, like some Satphone’s do. We have the Satphone number included with our PLB registration too, so if we ever need to use the epirb emergency services/rescue services can call us. Some folk suggest that the Thuraya geostationary satellite does not have the best coverage, but we have had good signal whenever we have checked, from Cockle Creek in southern Tassie up to Kalumburu in northern Kimberley. We have never needed to use the Satphone in an emergency, but the handful of times we have used it to call someone it has worked just fine. For the ongoing cost of $15 a month it is cheap peace of mind. We just need to remember to recharge the Satphone battery once in a while. ?? When we bought it we did not have a compatible mobile phone to use with Thuraya’s satsleeve options. Now that we do, if buying again I would pay the extra for this convenience. Familiarity with the phone you use daily is something worth having in an emergency.

Suggest you also have a spare mobile sim from an alternate mobile phone carrier to your usual one. That is carry both a Telstra and an Optus sim. We travelled in the Kimberley last year and "glamped" in the Bungle Bungles and at Mitchell Falls and both these places had Optus Wi-Fi for a limited period each day.

We also carried a EPIRB and satphone. When we broke down half way between Winton and Longreach there was no mobile reception. The satphone saved the day. Had picked it up second hand on ebay -an Iridium 9555. Its brillant. Used a post paid plan from TR Telecom which suited.

We believe in safety so a bit over the top so we carry:

HF radio is nice to have, you can get help from the base station, this may include general assistance or emergency help etc. I believe VHS737 also provide this via sat phone now. Advantage of HF is others listening in your local area may be in able to offer assistance if needed which may be a lot cheaper than organising a recovery else where and possible quicker medical aid,. HF has GPS connected so location info is available to the base station.

Sat phone, we have yet to use it.

PLB

Tracker with PLB

UHF CB, good for short range communications only, ie a few kilometers not to be considered seriously as an emergency communication medium .

Hand held GPS if your going walking away from camps, you only need to go 50 metres in dense schrub to get lost.

Personally I would never consider HF. Years ago we had one, but not now.
One minor roll over and the antennae is stuffed.
The mother-in-law will never work out how to contact you. :)
Last year's technology.
PLB + sat 'phone.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Hi Guys,

I have found this an interesting thread. If I can add “my two bobs worth”, I think HF Radio still has a place in today’s communications, particularly if wanting to speak with the RFDS, or remote stations. However, for the average remote outback traveller, I think your money could be better spent on a quality Sat Phone and “pay by the month” Sat Phone plan, a registered EPIRB/PLB, and a quality UHF Radio. Even The School Of The Air has moved on to Satelite Communications these days. If you already have an HF Radio, fine, but I would not be going out and buying one.

Macca.

When ABC ceased to transmit in HF this annoyed me.
No news service and no cricket live to listen to.
Stan