Back from Centre

Submitted: Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 13:18

ThreadID: 4614 Views:2358 Replies:4 FollowUps:6

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Member - Bob

Back yesterday from two week trip through western NSW into SA, Camerons corner, Innamincka, Thargominda, Windora, Birdsville, Boulia, Plenty Hwy, Bundy Hwy, Sandover Hwy to Ti tree via Mt Skinner, Ti Tree to Yuendumu via Conniston, Papunya, Haast's Bluff, Alice, Mereenie Loop, Uluru and plane home from there (one vehicle being driven home by son and the other being shipped by Autotrans from Alice Springs). I found VKS737 was little help with road conditions as they don't routinely broadcast those any more. When I requested a condition report it was far from accurate. The Satphone is definitely the way to go unless you just want to chat. Vehicle toll: Discovery- one trashed tyre, part of bull bar vibrated off. LX470: one trashed tyre, one windscreen, one rear window (ouch). Cost of vehicle transfer AS to Queanbeyan -$776. Cost of airfare Ayers Rock to Canberra -$558. Low light of trip was oncoming 4WDs failing to slow and fanging past at 120 kph showering our convoy with rocks. Three vehicles in our group sustained windscreen damage necessitating replacement. High light was getting fracture on new swag rack on trailer welded on Good Friday at Inamincka by Dave.

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Reply By: Member - Darian - Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 15:48

Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 15:48

Being a VKS737 volunteer, I'm interested in more detail re the "in-accurate response" to your request for road condition info.....the feedback would be appreciated.Love the bush - stuck in the city - help.

AnswerID: 18601

Follow Up By: Member - Bob - Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 22:33

Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 22:33

Darian, I have been a big fan of VKS737 over the years, and was and was an early member. While stuck in floods along the dog track south of Tibooburra I couldnt get any information from either the QLD or NT bases regarding conditions around Tibooburra, or conditions to the North toward Birdsville and beyond to Boulia. I rang Tibooburra/Birdsville, using the Satphone and got the information I needed. I was advised by Alice Springs base that the Plenty was closed, when it wasn't. I have been remiss in not passing road information back to VKS737, but I didn't bother turning the radio on again, thinking that the service had become something different to what I first joined. I would strongly welcome a return to broadcast road reports (even if it meant reading from the relevant websites), and less emphasis on social chit chat. I consider that road conditions and closures are core information that a 4WD radio network should provide.

FollowupID: 11638

Follow Up By: Member - Darian - Tuesday, Apr 29, 2003 at 08:59

Tuesday, Apr 29, 2003 at 08:59

Thanks for the reply.......the Network manager is monitoring this thread...I have asked him to respond.

FollowupID: 11648

Follow Up By: Member - Darian - Tuesday, Apr 29, 2003 at 12:07

Tuesday, Apr 29, 2003 at 12:07

Bob - the network manger would be happy to commence a dialogue with you via email - might end up back here, but for starters please email info@vks737.on.netLove the bush - stuck in the city - help.

FollowupID: 11659

Reply By: Member - Peter (WA) - Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 16:16

Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 16:16

vks737 can only report on the info suppled to them , I have had very little joy in watching the waether report on the nightly news aswell.Born to drive a 4x4 , not a keyboard
Peter York 4x4

AnswerID: 18603

Follow Up By: Member - Bob - Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 22:35

Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 22:35

Peter, see my reply to Darian above.

FollowupID: 11639

Reply By: Member - Kevin - Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 18:47

Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 18:47

Hi Bob
Can you tell me what the road conditions are like on the Plenty hwy
thanks
Sorry to here about you vehicle damage

kevin

AnswerID: 18613

Follow Up By: Member - Bob - Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 22:19

Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 22:19

The Donohue between Boulia and Tobermorey was a bit rough in places, especially near the border. Beyond Tobermorey the road wasn't too bad and 80 kph was comfortable although it would be possible to go quite a bit faster. I was told by VKS 737 that the Plenty was impassable, and that no-one should go out that way. There was no water on the road at any point.

FollowupID: 11636

Reply By: brian - Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 20:41

Monday, Apr 28, 2003 at 20:41

vks 737 is there every day at various times only too happy to give road conditions on your request,a great service,but they can only transmit the info they have available from varios sources. Better than any thing else available in my opinion.Did you offer any feedback to vks737 on road conditions for them to pass on ???

AnswerID: 18623