UHF and Sat Phones???

John. I have had a GME TX4000 for over 10 years and its proved to be a good reliable radio but remember it's only basically line of sight communications.

For longer (Oz wide) communications besides NextG have you considered an HF radio ? Substantial initial outlay but the benefits make it worthwhile in the long haul. In many trips to remote areas it's very rare I can't make contact with a base station or another member.
The HF Radio Club has just opened a base in Alice Springs and this is proving to give excellent coverage besides the bases on the east and west coast, just a thought.

Rob. VKE 237 Selcall 6678

John,

First, 2 points re UHF. First, DON'T give it a try without fitting a proper aerial. It should be fine, but can be damaged if there is no aerial there to radiate the transmission energy. Second - be aware that there are changes coming for UHF. Present radios will be phased out over the next 5 years so if you are looking to replace it, make sure that either the replacement is already an 80 channel unit (not the present 40 channel) or is upgradable, preferably by the user.

Sat phone - the debate between sat phone and HF radio can become a battlefield here! My personal choice is HF, but many prefer sat phone. Costs are similar (thousands) but I reckon in remote areas HF offers more. Both would be good if you have unlimited funds!

For internet access we use a prepaid on the Telstra network (Telstra doesn't have many friends, but it does have by far the best coverage). The phone acts as a modem connected to a laptop. It isn't cheap for active surfing, but there isn't time for much surfing when on the road anyway, so no problem.

Cheers

John

A UHF Radio such as you have mentioned will give you communication to other vehicles of about 20 kilometres or so with an antenna of 6db.
In addition, the use of repeater stations on channels 1 through 8 (channel 5 is the emergency channel) using duplex mode may extend your coverage further.
This is adequate for normal communications with other travellers in the general vicinity and to the various repeater stations dotted throughout Australia.

If you need communication with the likes of the Flying Doctor Service, or wider information, the use of a HF radio would be required, but they are not cheap.

NextG coverage is reasonable in many areas but limited in the outback areas of our country.

Basically, it depends on your exact communication requirements, but I find the NextG mobile and the UHF radio give me adequate cover. If I'm out of range of either of them for a few days, then I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.

For an absolute emergency situtation, we carry a GPS equipped EPIRB which can be activated and you will be found by the radio beacon and GPS co-ordinates.
This is a once off cost of around $300 and there is no ongoing annual costs.
The epirb is registered with the AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) and even for land use is an excellent last resort device.


Bill.

Hi John

I have a short article on the various communications and options at:
What communications will you need?

Motherhen

If you're thinking of buying another UHF CB, keep in mind that EVERY 40 channel unit will have to be sold off as an obsolete model, when 80 channel units are released.