Just one more incident on HF

Submitted: Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 19:29

ThreadID: 35226 Views:2886 Replies:8 FollowUps:11

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Footloose

Was on the 737 tonight when a bloke made enquiries about a vehicle which was apparently overdue. The overdue vehicle was not apparently equipped with any way of getting in touch with those who were worried about them.
Such an enquiry sets off a chain of events, including the participation of the police.

Now I'm pretty sure that they are probably ok as I know that area and there's a bit of traffic. Not much but a bit. I could have advised and given phone numbers etc but know just how much stress such a situation places on those involved and I have every confidence in them. I wasn't needed.

So if you're travelling into remote areas, please, please carry some way of letting people know where you are and if you're ok. The cost of hiring/buying a HF or satphone is far cheaper than the authorities having to search for you because you're overdue (hopefully enjoying the country side).
You expect consideration from your kids, shouldn't the taxpayer expect the same from you ?

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Reply By: FZJ 80 - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 19:56

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 19:56

Footloose,

Well Said. Courtesy and Common Sense. I believe the blatant cases that result in thousands spent for no reason should be billed to the nit wit that makes no effort to advise that no help is required. As you said, carry some comm device.

Greg

AnswerID: 180131

Follow Up By: rustytruck - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 21:39

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 21:39

Must agree with the people BELOW. I was once reported as missing by a member of our group who left early due to potential floodwaters ahead, however I arrived on time in accordance with our itinerary at the appointed place. When arriving was asked where I came from and one smart A### at the destination commented that we "didn't even know we were lost". Probably because we weren't! Don't interfere in others business if it is none of yours! As for the nit wit who does not notify others that no help is required - who is the nit wit? Anyway, thanks but I presently do not need any help! I have enought comms devices - if needed!

Rusty

FollowupID: 436369

Follow Up By: Footloose - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 21:59

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 21:59

An interesting response................

FollowupID: 436375

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 20:13

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 20:13

Footy,

Not meaning to have a go at you mate, but your post has fired me up.

I'm a taxpayer too and I don't see Governments, be they federal, state, or local, trying to save money.

Unlike most people with Satellite phones, I cannot claim the bulk of the cost against a business. Nor do I live in an area where I can claim a rebate to offset the cost.
So, I choose not to have one. I don't need it.

For similar reasons, I cannot justify the cost of a HF set. They are just too expensive for an occasional trek into the nether regions and I am not one who wishes to "chew the fat" when driving.

So I make do with the UHF for local communications and an EPIRB for emergency situations and if I'm late back from a side trip somewhere and someone "panics" and calls out the "authorities", bad luck.
We rarely travel alone and we have a habit of planning of trips as much as we can,
but if s h i t happens, so be it.

Ah!....feel better now......

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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AnswerID: 180136

Follow Up By: stevesub - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 20:41

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 20:41

I agree and we are in exactly the same situation except we travel alone quite often.We always travel with an excess of water and leave the dry areas with around 30litres left for exmergencies. We also estimate how long we expect a section to take and add 1 to 2 days which is what we tell people when we are expected at a certain point which gives us time for extra time to get where we are going. We also have the UHF cand EPIRB as well as flares and "V" sheet from the boat.

We also tend to go where there is some traffic, even if it is only 2 or 3 vehciles a day.

Stevesub

FollowupID: 436363

Reply By: Footloose - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 21:34

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 21:34

Ladies and gentlemen and others :) You are free to express your own thoughts, thats what free speech is all about I guess. Unlike some others here, I'm not going to argue with you :)

AnswerID: 180141

Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 21:36

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 21:36

Aw Bugga:-)

Bill

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Follow Up By: Footloose - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 21:42

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 21:42

Sandman, I usually love a good debate. Unfortunately what I usually get is a bunfight. This changes few minds, and usually ends up with people being offended or feeling good about themselves (some people are like that, they only listen to themselves instead of saying,"that may be but the evidence suggests otherwise etc etc"). I've no wish to upset anyone here. I'd like to think that I've given good advice for most...if that's not you then so be it :))
I've had a lot of help and advice here, so I try and give something positive back.

FollowupID: 436370

Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 22:09

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 22:09

Well said Footy!

You have good Karma.

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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Follow Up By: PK Eildon (VIC) - Saturday, Jun 24, 2006 at 09:45

Saturday, Jun 24, 2006 at 09:45

Being 'lost' is a little misnamed. It is usually miscommunication, lack of communication or inability to communicate. Generally those who are supposedly lost know exactly where they are. The advent of mobile phones dropped the number of searches in the Vic High Country substantially.

I agree with Footie that communication needs serious consideration if venturing off the beaten track, and agree with Sandy the risks can be mitigated in ways other than sat/vhf. Personal risk assessment really.

The problem people are those that do not even consider, and say "she'll be right" or someone else is responsible.

As for me, particularly because of where I want to go, Sat phone came higher on list of priorities than winch, bull bar. driving lights, etc.

FollowupID: 436419

Reply By: Member - Jeff H (QLD) - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 22:13

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 22:13

"nether regions" ;sounds alluring. Remind me.

AnswerID: 180151

Follow Up By: Footloose - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 22:17

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 22:17

They are the bits that you call "never regions" as you get older :))

FollowupID: 436382

Follow Up By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 22:21

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 22:21

It is another name for the Dutch. People from Norway are called Norwegians, Tasmania - Taswegians, Glasgow - Glaswegians, so people from the Netherlands must be Netherwegians.

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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Saturday, Jun 24, 2006 at 08:18

Saturday, Jun 24, 2006 at 08:18

Like your thinking Matt. but aren't the Netherwegians one specific province or wegion? Parhaps near Germany? A bit like Alsace in France, overrun at sense of supremacy.

FollowupID: 436406

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Saturday, Jun 24, 2006 at 09:03

Saturday, Jun 24, 2006 at 09:03

Like Footy, I pity the waste of resources when they start looking for a person who is not lost. But it certainly makes interesting listening on VKS - livens up the session. The Alice Springs police were looking for a couple on the Hay River about a week ago - VKS thought they might be in our group - don't know where they found them in the end.

AnswerID: 180170

Reply By: Darian (SA) - Saturday, Jun 24, 2006 at 16:59

Saturday, Jun 24, 2006 at 16:59

Via VKS737 network eMail across my desk today - the OKA was classed as overdue as a result of informal arrangements made with some other travellers going the same way- AND he did have an HF set but it turned out to be on the blink - he has now caught up with the other travellers - all is reported to be fine now.

AnswerID: 180201

Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, Jun 24, 2006 at 17:07

Saturday, Jun 24, 2006 at 17:07

Judging by the terrain, traffic and the fact that he'd been seen pottering along, I was fairly sure that it would end well. The radio was on the blink ? But he'd just had it installed in Alice ! Curious, although if it was done by one company I know there, not so curious :( I estimate that it would have taken him 2 days to get to Jupiters where one interested party was waiting. He possibly would have stopped for fuel at Papunya.
Unfortunately this situation reinforces my original assertion, that people without comms can cause a lot of unecessary stress and financial outlay by the appropriate organizations, and the taxpayer, something that I have already been taken to task for.

FollowupID: 436441