Distance Calculator and Hiring HF Radios

you mean like

Travel Mate.com.au

For HF radios, try Jim at:
http://home.iprimus.com.au/jimshire/

If you are in the Brisbane area, A-TREK CAMPER & CAMPING HIRE, hire out HF Radios, you can contact them on 07 3886 5466, or email atrekcamping@ozemail.com.au

what state are you in to hire radio i use aust two way radio rentals near airport at moorabbin vic $100 installation $75 pw last time set up for vks737 and flying doc nice people to deal with

IF YOU INTEND HIRING A HF SET THE MAKE SURE ITS THE TYPE THAT IS INSTALLED INTO YOUR CAR INCLUDING ANNTENA. DO NOT HIRE THE PORTABLE TYPE WHERE YOU NEED TO SET UP A HORIZONTAL DIPOLE, ITS BLOODY DIFFICULT UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR'RE DOING. FOR THE LAST 3 OUTBACK TRIPS I HAVE HIRED A SATPHONE ITS DEAD SIMPLY JUST LIKE A MOBILE PHONE. COST IS GENERALLY ABOUT $85. PER WEEK BUT WELL WORTH THE PIECE OF MIND

REGARDS
JEFF

True, Portable HF radios can be a pain to set up but by the same token after a couple of practice runs they're not that bad. I've even transmitted with the aerial layed out on the ground.
The way I look at it is you are only going to need one for emergency situations and is it really worth having a big expensive auto tuning aerial on the front or rear of your vehicle. My friend had one mounted on the rear wheel carrier and bleep tered it on a low hanging limb two days after he bought it ($1500). Face it, how often will you need it? Also in a vehicle rollover which would be one of the most common shortfalls you'll most likely destroy your aerial anyway. When it comes to the typical one or two major trip a year person you truly have to way up the pros and cons. For people that live way yonder, it's a different story.