Looking for personal communications consultant in Brisbane

Hi Rainbow,

When talking to a communication "expert" just make sure that he/she understands that the 2% of Australians not covered by Next G actually relates to approx 72% of the total area of Australia. Mobile phones and therefore Wireless internet are available in liimited areas once you move away from the coastal strip. 18 to 20km out of any major centre is about the maximum although some areas of western NSW do seem to have a better deal than Queensland. Many small centres in western Queensland do not have coverage at all.

The major issue is that people in the communications industry in the major cities do not appear to have a sound working understanding of what happens anywhere near the Black Stump.

Kevin J

Hi fab, as mentioned, across the board, by which i mean all that you mentioned bar the sat phone which would only be in my budget on an occasional rental basis.
But the only question i actually had was if anyone knows of a consultant who has up to date knowledge of everything available on the market.(personal use not business, there a plenty of companies to assist in business communications) but I need someone who understands my personal usage needs and can tailor something to suit. I have already made a mistake with the iPad.

Hi Kevin J,
That is encouraging isn't it! I would have hoped the coverage was better than that. I will keep that in mind. Ta
Rainbow

Rainbow...head straight to your nearest 4X4 shop eg: ARB's or the like. They'll be able to help you. Many of them now are also retailers for Telstra which have by far the best mobile coverage available.

Remembering though, as Kevin J said.....mobiles and wireless internet are pretty useless as you drift away from the major towns.

Personally I use a GME TX3800 UHF which is a commercial unit, meaning that it can be programmed to transmit on up to 25watts of power. (Standard legal wattage is 5 Watts).

A Testra mobile with a externally mounted antenna.

And if heading far into the great unknown, I hire a sat phone.

In the past, I have also run a HF set (RFDS unit), although with the advent of sat phones, and unless you're a radio buff, I wouldn't bother.

I'd highly recommend an EPIRB too. You may (let's hope not) be ina situation where you may not be able to talk, of if the vehicle catches fire, you can jump out with just your EPIRB and someone will sooner or later come along with a cup of tea...or medical help.

There is plenty of equipment out there, but don't be fooled into thinking you need one of everything. In my opinion, get a UHF, a Telstra Mobile phone with an external antenna, an EPIRB and hire a sat phone as required.

I guess, in short, visit a 4X4 shop in your area and stay away from desk jockeys.

Fab.

Whoops sorry...one more thing.
When shopping for a Telstra mobile, go for a "Blue Tick". This means the unit has superior rural coverage...well, better than the non-blue tick ones at least.

Fab.

Thanks Fab,
That helps heaps. Was not aware you could have an external aerial for the mobile, nor would I have thought of going to ARB. I had decided I would have to go with Telstra, I was looking at Nokia c5 or 6720 but got stuck on plan or prepaid, and then more and more confused when I started looking at what you got or didn't get for your money!
What do you think of a spot in place of epirb?
I will actually go to arb as you suggest. Thanks
Rainbow

Hi Rainbow

You really have no choice but to go with a Telstra and the next G phone with a blue tick.......but they dont all have the litle input socket on the back of the phone to take the patch lead from the external antennae......

unfortunately these input plugs on the backs of the blue tick phones are getting very scarse and I fear availibilty willl only get worse...they all seem to be relying on an induction type connection....(where the patch lead from the antennae conveys the signal into a cradle surrounding the phone).........

I rely extensively on my simple but very reliable "clam shell" design phone.....and for reliabilty I cannot fault the Samsung C5220 (has a input socket)......and the Samsung S5510 (S5510T is the same...neither has the socket)..........these are currently a run out model and are getting scarce........Because I am so impressed with these simple but effective phones (we run one of each). this week I purchased another S5510 to put on the shelf and a patch lead that velcroe's on the back to bring the signal in from the external antennae when needed....the reason I purchased another is because I love the phone and its reliability and I hate all these new touch screen things that are bells and whistles phones with far more than ever needed.

The C5220 is on run out for as low as $69...and the S5510 for $129.....both are advertised as pre paid but that is irrelevant as the post paid sim works in them anyway..........I had to look hard to get one this week

The Telstra T90 is a good blue tick with a antennae socket (have one of them as well)

by the way I hate Telstra with a passion for a huge number of reasons based on years of using them but I would never consider using any one else because of the Next G coverage...there is no equal for coverage and performance with their blue tick phones

I have no affliation with Samsung either but their phones have always performed flawlessly for me and the blue tick Nokia I tried was no match for the phones mentioned above for signal reception.

cheers

Hi Bungara,
Will be taking your info when I go to purchase a phone. That is a fairly strong recommendation for the Samsung if I can obtain one. The price sounds good too!
Rainbow

Hi snoopyone,
Thanks, have made notes
Rainbow

Read my comments on the Iphone.

Works OK in high strength areas but sadly lacking away from them.

The Iphone 4 has an inbuilt aerial problem in that if you hold it a certain way it masks the aerial.
As per here
Iphone 4
And here
aerial probs

To increase reception I use one of these

Car cradle

Rob M,
They are fairly local to me so I will go see them thanks. Very grateful for everyones input.
Rainbow

Hi PeteS,
Yes, the maze gets deeper! Great info on the "spot". Gone are the days of hitching a van on the back of the family sedan and heading off into the wild blue yonder, no phones, satellites, epirbs, spots,compressors,fridges.....................etc. Your "press on. Obstacles are seldom the same size tomorrow as they are today" is very relevant to me at the moment. I will remind myself of it as I continue to jump the many obstacles life is throwing at me currently. Oh well, gives me challenges!
Rainbow

If you go for a Satfone Only go with an IRIDIUM based setup.

DO NOT get talked into a Globalstar unit.

Inmarsat are also Ok.

Have to say that or will get jumped on by a certain few LOL.

Older Motorola Satfones can be purchased reasonably cheaply now and do the job perfectly.

Can be used with a TELSTRA sim card (not prepaid) with minimal cost.
Sim must be internationally roamed

Call charges in and out are approx $3.75 per minute.

You only pay for what you use

That sounds like a more affordable option than what I have seen so far. Thanks
Rainbow

Hi Rainbow
I agree 100% with snoopyone. I mean't to mention in my previous post to only go with Iridium. I have seem to many frustrated people on alternate phone providers.

PeteS

Thank you, personal recommendations invaluable. Will be following up

Rainbow