UHF CB radios-

Hi Noels,

I use a GME but I believe Uniden is a good brand as well.

I like the scan option on mine as a can "watch" a few different channels.

Cheers Wilko

with UHF you are not "safe". The idiots on the dune crossings don't have a radio anyway and the reach of UHF is very limited.
Get your HAM Foundation license and buy a second hand allband radio, then you have communication. If you like bad language the by all means by a UHF.
You get much better use out of a ham radio than anything else.

good luck
gmd

Hi Noels,

Any of the major brands can be recommended and will provide adequate communications within a 20 kilometre range, or thereabouts.

Basically, it depends on two things.
Available space and budget.

Is there an available DIN space in the dash.
If your radio takes only one DIN space there will be a blank space underneath covered by a blanking plate. Any of the available UHF radios (transceivers) will fit in this space.
If the car radio takes up two din spaces, the chances are there is no space left to mount the transceiver in the logical place and therefore an alternative model with a removable front panel will be required. This "remote mount" enables the main transceiver unit to be mounted under the dash somewhere and the small front panel can then be fixed to the centre console facia of some other suitable location.

The GME brand is Australian made and is a popular choice.
Uniden is also OK and possibly a little cheaper than the others.
Icom is another major brand but slightly more expensive than the alternatives.

Unless you guys are "handy" with fitting the transceiver and the required antenna to your vehicle, it may be easier for you to contact a transceiver retailer that should give the appropriate advice and install the unit for you if necessary.

Bill.

Noelene/Peter,
Everyone is safe until a breakdown or accident and although these occurances are rare in a well prepared vehicle they DO happen.A UHF radio as said only has a very limited range and is great for car to car in close proximity but travelling alone I would certainly be looking at either HF RADIO or SATPHONE.Both are expensive but maybe your best spent dollar in an emergency.

As others have said, UHF is great for short comms (others in your group, other road users etc.) - re makes..... GME or Icom would be my pick. You did mention safety - for the regions you mention, you'll be very glad you had long distance comms if travelling solo and suffer an "issue" of some sort. My pick is long distance HF radio (not HAM though)....... many take a Satphone.

You haven't really provided much information regarding your desire for a radio ' to make you feel safe'.
If you wear your seatbelts you will feell safe!
If you drive according to the road conditions you will feel safe!
If you use extreme caution when overtaking you will feel safe!
If you don't swim in rivers containing crocodiles you will feel safe!
If you wear a hat and apply sunblock you will feel safe!

Simply having a radio won't make it safe for you. You have to 'make it safe' by your actions, decisions and choices and managing 'the risks'.

If you are seeking the 'security' of communications when in the outback 'just in case something goes wrong', then a UHF may be of some assistance if there is someone else within range of you (5 - 10 km - at best).

If on the other hand you or your partner may have a medical condition that if things go pear shape you would want to summon immediate assitance, then you should consider (a) Satellite phone (b) PLB (personal Locater Beacon) (c) HF Radio. These three are the only means by which you can have some confidence in the knowledge that 'help is at hand'.

No wanting to 'spend and arm and a leg' is probably not the best attitude to have when it comes to life preservation.
It is possible to purchase a hand held UHF radio for less than $50.00 but if there is an emergency you could expect to be confronted with a life saving decision - the $50 radio is the wrong choice.

Travelling in the outback has many risks. Successful travellers have learned to manage these risks and most times make the right choices. Things such as alcohol, stupidity, bravado, immaturity, inexperience etc are all contributors to poor decision making. Successful ocean going sailors generally survive by being able to 'manage the risks' and by having the correct equipment.

You haven't provided any information regarding the type of vehicle in which you intend to travel. The road(s) you are referring to can be extremely rough and unpredictible at times and will really test the strength and durability of your vehicle.

I suggest that you spend some time reading through the archives of this forum and any other you can find that might provide you with meaningful information to help you make the right choices. Good luck.

Hi Noels,

It may be best to define just what you want to achieve with communications before choosing a device. Others here have commented on the attributes of the various devices available and I would contribute as follows.

"Popular advice" may not necessarily be the best way for you. I know that a lot of people install UHF radios but I often wonder why. Maybe because they are relatively cheap and simple to use? Maybe because they wish to "educate" their wives and children in the use of foul language? I have UHF (it came with the vehicle) but never use it although it may be useful in a forthcoming trip in company. With a range limited to 15-20k it would be just as easy to wait a few minutes for the nearby vehicle to arrive at your destination! Not really useful for a genuine emergency in a remote location.

If you want to "feel safe" then you really need a device that will communicate to an agency that can help you.HF radio has been the standard for personal safety support for many years. It has been the "Outback Network" and the communication system for the Royal Flying Doctor Service but the RFDS is now using Satellite Telephone more often. HF radio can be a bit tricky to use and not always reliable due to atmospheric conditions. I have one and it has been useful to obtain advice on road conditions etc but never used in emergency. (Touch wood!) Although possible, HF is not a lot of use for vehicle-to-vehicle communications. There is a network of HF users who may be able to assist in a breakdown situation but not to be relied upon.

Satellite Telephone is the emerging communications system and as I said, the RFDS is moving to it although they have not announced an end to their HF. More expensive to purchase and use but could well be worth it if you have a real emergency. It has the advantage of not being tethered to the vehicle so can be taken along on the hike where things like broken limbs or snakebite can occur. I have recently purchased a secondhand one for less than $900 and yes it does give me a feeling of enhanced safety. Plus it is useful if family need to contact me in regard to any "home" emergency (ageing parents etc). You need to carry a directory of phone numbers of services (easy enough) but in a real emergency you can always call 000 or 112.

Finally there is the Personal Location Beacon (PLB) which is essentially the land-based version of the marine EPIRB. Somewhat cheaper than the Satellite Phone but limited to an absolute life-thretening emergency. When you trigger a PLB the "Military" come a-running and you had better have a damn good reason for calling them! But having a PLB can give you a feeling of safety if you believe you may have to look death in the face.

So you need to define just how "safe" you want to feel and which device will provide that feeling of security and what that is worth to you in $ before you can make an informed decision. You can easily end up believing that you spent too much or that maybe you should have spent a little more. Nobody can tell you the "right" or "best" way. It's all up to you and your value judgements.

And in closing........ I hope you will never have a need for an emergency communication device in your travels.

Heya noelene/peter b

As some have mentioned ... "safety" is a perception.

Travelling alone means having a well maintained vehicle, and a some spares / trip preparation & planning / area knowledge - maps & feedback from others ... and leaving a trip plan with someone.

Dont forget paper maps/compass as spares for a GPS.

Radio comms as a "safety" factor means a need for long distance transmission & reception ... something UHF fails dismally at ... except in yuppy areas with repeaters.

When travelling without comms ... I used to carry the flares and warning "V" sheet out my boat kit .... and you can always burn a tyre if you have to.

Then 27mhz CB came along ... cheap but a bit hit and miss in its day - but way better than UHF for distance.

Today however there is a great wealth of knowledge on the variety of long distance, modern comms & "safety" equipment, mentioned in threads here on ExplorOz worth checking out.

G'day, while a UHF may provide some interest on your journey, on the roads you mention you are unlikely to hear anything or reach anybody either. In more populated areas you will hear where the police are & general truck chatter. You
may find UHF very entertaining if travelling in convoy, but if you are not part of the convoy the chat will bore you senseless. If you want emergency contact you
should heed the advice re other radios & Satphone usage. In the real world, on
the roads you mention, you will hardly have time to boil the billy before someone
comes along to assist with your problem. If you decide you still need one, I have
20 year old Unidens & they have never given any issues.......oldbaz.

I would suggest an in vehicle CB and a handheld CB and a satphone or EPIRB.

The choice is not one thing or the other but rather what mix of communications you need now and what might you add later.

I found CB UHF very useful on the Tanami Road and other places. You can get a fair bit of information by talking to oncoming vehicles once you have a visual. For the way I travel (and I think for most people) it is essential to have a CB. If for no other reason because that is what almost everyone else has.

There is no need to get a really expensive in car unit, cheaper ones do the job, but I would put some money aside for a good handheld and not a cheap one as the handheld could be needed in an emergency.

I doubt there is much need for an EPIRB on the Tanami Road. It gets a lot of traffic.

Flynnie

You wouldn't have to take much of a detour off the main roads to find yourself in remote and lonely location.If your emergency should happen here or late at night with no passing traffic then your UHF will be absolutely useless.A satphone, EPIRB or HF is the only thing that will bring help.