EPIRB versus Satellite Phone

Spanner,
Could not tell you about credit card facilities but the great central road is pretty much a main thouroghfare and many vehicles drive that road.
I have helped at least 3 people on that road on 2 seperate trips. have always many cars and trucks.
I always carry an epirb as I have heard that sat phones can be a little unreliable. I think a hf radio is prob better because there is a direct link to RFDS

EPIRB and Sat Phone are rather different beasts.

Globalstar Sat phones are not much value.

EPIRBS are use once devices that cost a lot even there but will get you out of a bind at great expense to the country.

HF radio will work reasonably reliably anywhere you go if you want help, including of the not so life threatening kind.

On the GCR you could get away without any of them except in the middle of summer when there might be fewer folks about. Having HF and EPIRB is useful. Having water, food, a fire extinguisher and good first aid kit would be critical however.

Most fuel stops accept cards these days... even some of the most remote. But if their EFTPOS unit isn't working they might want cash or some other form of payment. Cash is a must - but not enough to buy all your fuel.

I can't help re credit cards either. Last time I went through they were cash only. But that was a while ago. Could I suggest that if you break down on the GCR and set off an EPIRB you would not be very popular in Canberra!!! As has been said the GCR is almost a highway these days and is a very well used stretch of road. It has become almost the road of choice for people from WA to travel to the Eastern states. If you are looking for a communications device sure a sat phone would do, but who are you going to ring if you break down? NRMA? or RAC? Good luck!!! A HF radio would probably be the go, at least the operator would have an idea of who to contact depending on where you are and what your problem is. It would also give you direct access to the RFDS if you had that sort of emergency.

Tessa

An EPIRB will give you piece of mine as a last resort in case of an emergency. Even the new 406 Mhz units can be bought for around $500.

Both a satellite phone or a HF radio will be a considerable investment and if you are doing a "one-off" trip, you may be better off hiring a satphone if you need the extra communications capability for that one trip.

You may be surprised how much communication you get with a simple UHF transceiver along the main routes. One of these is a very good investment and can be got for $300-$400.

We get by with a UHF transceiver and an EPIRP and have never felt "isolated" when travelling. Then again, we don't see the necessity to constantly contact our family back in the big smoke.
Our Son is a grown-up fella and just the occasional "G'day" is all that is required.

Hi mate

You might want to avoid going this time of the year, as it gets extremely hot

I did it 3 years ago in late June and while it was freezing, it is better than being hot

I worked on a Drill Rig for 3 weeks in November 5 years ago near a place called Jamieson which is about 400km south east of Warburton and it was getting to 40+ every day, with the occasional tropical storm coming through - was actually quite an experience.

Basically you can't really rely on fuel from Laverton to Ayers Rock, but I think they do sell Opal and Diesel fuel at Warburton and one of the roadhouses.

I actually took all my own fuel when I went and the Jerry cans paid for themselves as the fuel price is about 50cents a litre dearer.

The other thing you're meant to do is to obtain a permit to travel through the GCR, due to it being on Aboriginal lands. I did, but no one stopped and asked. I probably saw about 50 cars on the highway over the 2 days I did it and that was peak season.

I'd recommend an EPIRD over the sat phone, unless you want to phone home. Check with the local coppers on conditions before you go.

Good luck with your trip - but avoid the heat!!

Will

Gday,
A simple answer to a simple question would be money works...eftpos does sometimes...
Epirb is for emergencies and a SAT phone is for contact.

If you get bogged somewhere you could call someone on a SAT phone..If you set off an epirb , youll be the idiot in the paper.

Cheers

With EPIRB, it is possible that you could be in a location off the main road (out of sight) and for whatever reason find it necessary to activate your EPIRB. Whilst waiting for help to arrive (sometimes many hours 4 - 6) it is not inconceivable that many vehicles may pass by on the nearby highway and not have a clue as to your emergency. If you had a UHF radio, even a 5wat hand held, it just might mean you get help a lot quicker. HF is for much longer distances and yes you can have more direct contact with Flying Doctor - something the EPIRB won't provide. As for satellite phone, been lot's of negative reports on this forum lately. Perhaps they still have some way to go to providing reliable communications.

We feel safe enough with a normal uhf and friend with an EPIRB but to do canning will be getting Sat phone and an EPIRB.....

Take a stash of cash.....Truely!!

Laura

I purchased fuel at the Aboriginal community near Well 33 on the CSR a couple of months back. They accepted an eftpos transaction using a credit card (direct debit to my savings account) but would not accept it as a Visa card transaction.

Check this site. Don't know about currency though - it seems it may not have been updates for almost two years although it does have phone numbers.

http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/Land/Permits/FuelAndSupplies.aspx

Longtooth

Spannerman

We drove the GSR a few months ago and were able to use Visa at all places we refuelled. We did carry enough cash just in case comms were down. We also had a Telstra based satphone. No problems at all contacting anyone at anytime. Others in the group that had Globalstar always had problems and rarely were able to access the system. EPIRB is for emergency only and should not be used unless in dire straights as it is a very costly rescue operation.

Another bloke had the VKS HF system and it worked well also.

I prefer the satphone and it has virtually paid for itself over the last few years - normally get the other end to call as it is cheaper

Regards

Lots of cash (works when plastic doesn't) , EPIRB, UHF CB and a wide-banded HF Amateur Radio will see you right under any circumstances.

Mike Harding

Travelled the GCR early June this year and all stops were OK for card except for one (which I can't recall right now) which had their external comms dead. As other have said, take cash as a backup - and as for "on the road" comms, a UHF CB is sufficient.

Cheers
Himble