Communication

Red Dog · Senior Member

Communication

Happywanderer · The Master

Telstra seems to be the best when travelling, better coverage. You will need a Broadband wireless stick.
Most towns you can use places that have wifi like McDonalds, but you might not always be in towns.
I power my laptop through an inverter attached to the in house battery, can plug it in to a power point fitted in the van or if travelling and wanting to charge laptop I have a 12volt adaptor especially for my type of laptop.

valnrob · Guru

My laptop runs off the 12v system in our van. Got a $79 adaptor thingo from Dick Smiths to suit my Toshiba. As HW says you need a Telstra Broadband turbo stick. Mine is locked into my home phone acct. and works out to be $40 per month for 7 gig. Can run it off the Honda genny too. Mind you the genny needs to be a good one with an inverter giving pure sine waves.

jonathan · Guru

Agree fully with Val & Rob ..

My system is basically the same .. and yes .. if you want internet coverage that (in my case) is better than my reception from Telstra using a blue tick phone, I use bigpond through a wireless gateway .. giving me flexible laptop coverage within 100 mtres of my MHome ..

I make unlimited phone calls through Skype to any landline in Oz as long as each call isn't extravagant .. (over 7 hours) .. hehe

This service comes at a cost of only $80.00 per year .. much better than being put on 'hold' when you're calling a specific location when using a mobile ..

food for thought ..

Jon

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I have Telstra Mobile and Wireless Broadband, the best for regional coverage (the better of all evils), UHF Radio in the car and after the latest incident in North West Victoria I will be looking harder at a small personal EPIRB. I think that covers everything then. I don't think you can over do your personal safety. You read of people getting into trouble out there in this big great country of ours all the time.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Yes we have a UHF and Telstra mobile and broadband too Doug, and I too I was thinking about the lady who walked for help in a remote area of Victoria. We have an epirb, which was purchased after my partners heart attack, but its only for emergency/life-threatening events.
I think a sat-phone is essential if you are going to places where you will be on your own and no mobile coverage, therefore no internet either. I used to think they were too expensive but whats your safety worth? With a sat-phone at least you can talk to somebody and explain the problem so help might be sent with the relevant spare-parts if its a vehicle break-down.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Gerty Dancer wrote:
Yes we have a UHF and Telstra mobile and broadband too Doug, and I too I was thinking about the lady who walked for help in a remote area of Victoria. We have an epirb, which was purchased after my partners heart attack, but its only for emergency/life-threatening events.
I think a sat-phone is essential if you are going to places where you will be on your own and no mobile coverage, therefore no internet either. I used to think they were too expensive but whats your safety worth? With a sat-phone at least you can talk to somebody and explain the problem so help might be sent with the relevant spare-parts if its a vehicle break-down.

Ok then Rosey, I will look into a Sat Phone as well before a purchase is made. That's one thing I like about this forum, great advice and people, oops, that's 2 things.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

before you look at a sat phone have a look at a HF radio.

as for internet connection I usually go to a liburay if I am in a town, when I'm not I go without internet connection, great to get away from it for a while, this option cost nothing.

Yuglamron · Guru

Hi Dave,

Depending on your circumstances a Satellite phone would be an ideal emergency back up to have.

There are a few places that sell them including Australia Post.

I bought mine from www.campersat.com

They have them from around $150 refurbished.

The Guy there is Wally Shand and he is very helpfull.

They sell new and refurbished phones and will send paperwork to apply for the Govt.Subsidy of up to 85%(Business) 50%(private).

Call costs are high but in an emergency, call charges don't come into it when your life may be at stake.

One thing though ,if you use prepaid,and buy calls in $100 amounts you have approx two years to use them up.

Guaranteed worldwide coverage.

Hope that helps.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

your link does not go to the correct site, just the au on the end was missing.

good advice will check them out, but I still prefer the HF radio option, although a lot dearer than the site you are talking about.

http://www.campersat.com.au/

Vic · Guru

On the subject of wireless broadband prepaid, with a notebook I bought a few weeks ago I was sold one called Telstra Elite stick which I was told by the Telstra shop has taken over the turbo stick and is better.

Whether this is right or not I don't know, just what I was told by them.

Works good at home but haven't tried it out in the sticks yet.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Vic wrote:
On the subject of wireless broadband prepaid, with a notebook I bought a few weeks ago I was sold one called Telstra Elite stick which I was told by the Telstra shop has taken over the turbo stick and is better.
Whether this is right or not I don't know, just what I was told by them.
Works good at home but haven't tried it out in the sticks yet.

I have the Elite Vic and it is a bit quicker, it still depends on how many people are connected or more to the point, trying to connect. DOUG

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Yes we have an elite too Vic, works ok out in the sticks, some places better than others of course, and some not at all. Of course! We help it in marginal areas with an antenna.

In Canberra I find it drops out if lotsa people are using it, not usually a problem out of town.

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Thursday 5th of January 2012 11:35:06 AM

jonathan · Guru

Communication needs vary according to ones activities .. not everyone will need the same .. you must work out what you may need for yourself ..

I have an interest in radio Comms as do many folk on here .. but not everyone has the same interest and thus couldn't justify expensive purchases where I have alternate uses for my gear .. It is handy though to be able to send a message to ones mobile phone from a HF Radio ..

Jon

Beth54 · Guru

I really don't want to spend money on a sat phone or HF radio, when money is in short supply.

But, I must admit, there's a lurking concern in the back of my mind about something happening while I'm alone out of phone range. I have Telstra Next G but there are places where it drops out, as we all know. I also have a hand held UHF, but it only covers a couple of kms.

As a solo woman, I would never camp anywhere on my own anyway, and if I go to somewhere really remote, I go with friends. But if I needed help while alone on the road, heaven forbid, I guess I'd just have to rely on the kindness of strangers.

-- Edited by Beth54 on Thursday 5th of January 2012 11:46:47 AM

Vic · Guru

Gerty Dancer wrote:
Yes we have an elite too Vic, works ok out in the sticks, some places better than others of course, and some not at all. Of course! We help it in marginal areas with an antenna.
In Canberra I find it drops out if lotsa people are using it, not usually a problem out of town.

That's good to know Gerty, not sure how it will work for me but time will tell, thanks, Vic

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Beth54 wrote:
I really don't want to spend money on a sat phone or HF radio, when money is in short supply.
But, I must admit, there's a lurking concern in the back of my mind about something happening while I'm alone out of phone range. I have Telstra Next G but there are places where it drops out, as we all know. I also have a hand held UHF, but it only covers a couple of kms.
As a solo woman, I would never camp anywhere on my own anyway, and if I go to somewhere really remote, I go with friends. But if I needed help while alone on the road, heaven forbid, I guess I'd just have to rely on the kindness of strangers.

-- Edited by Beth54 on Thursday 5th of January 2012 11:46:47 AM

Beth if you see somebody with a HF radio on board you can ask them for help it is part of their licence aggrement that they have to help in life and death situations and most would be only to happy to help in a breakdown situation, I have done it a few times, so look out for one of those big ariel's usually on the rear of a 4x4. and ask for help

Red Dog · Senior Member

Hi I already have a HF radio and a uhf in the 4x4 cheers Dave

Beth54 · Guru

Thanks Wombat.

Popeye · Senior Member

Whats wrong with an Epirb

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I'm going to check them out, a small one you could hang around your neck would be good.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Popeye wrote:
Whats wrong with an Epirb

I don't have an epirb but what I understand is you set it off and emergency stations are alerted and they then come to find you is that correct?

If that is correct, that you cannot talk to somebody to get help and explain your situation, I would prefer to talk to somebody,

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Red Dog wrote:
Hi I already have a HF radio and a uhf in the 4x4 cheers Dave

your 1st post only mentioned a UHF in your 4x4 biggrin

Gerty Dancer · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
I don't have an epirb but what I understand is you set it off and emergency stations are alerted and they then come to find you is that correct?
If that is correct, that you cannot talk to somebody to get help and explain your situation, I would prefer to talk to somebody,

Yes that is the way it works Wombat. Somebody was rescued at sea after using one today, it pintpoints your location very accurately I believe. But we only have it in case of dire emergencies, dont think a breakdown is dire enough. (unless you sit there for several days with nobody coming by and you are running out of water)

I'm not sure if there is a type that you can hang round your neck Doug, but you could certainly carry it in your back-pack. Should actually.

Burnie · Member

A bit big to hang around your neck, approx 7 x 1.5 x 3.5 inch.
I carry mine in backpack with my water, first aid gear and other goodies including a good uhf handheld radio range is good for about 14Km in straight line of site.
Also decent simple to use GPS is a must, the Garmin etrex comes to mind here. Learn how to use it in partcular "Trackback" if you go for a wander and get lost
it will always show you the way back to camp, set it up to UPM and if in trouble and you are able to make radio contact read the co-ordinates
for you position, ie 51 J 0363899, UTM 6830768. Where 51j is the map number Australia is set up into zones and map numbers so anyone you may happen to
contact can contact emergency services and give them your position. The GPS is accurate to about 1 metre. The map ref above is for Chain Bore in WA, check
it out on google if you wish. I carry my GPS on my belt at all times I leave camp, just mark the camp prior to moving off take your wander and if not sure of your way
back just press GOTO highlight your mark and it will lead you home.

hope this helps

Burnie

03_troopy · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
Popeye wrote:
Whats wrong with an Epirb

I don't have an epirb but what I understand is you set it off and emergency stations are alerted and they then come to find you is that correct?
If that is correct, that you cannot talk to somebody to get help and explain your situation, I would prefer to talk to somebody,

The EPIRB is monitored by satellites so that if you do set it off, in a dire emergency, your details from when you rigestered it will be relayed to the relevent rescue authority. And yes you can get a personal EPIRB like this one http://www.wetweathergear.com.au/prod79.htm, to carry with you if you're walking. It's better to get a GPS equipped EPIRB for more accurate locating. The GPS equiped will locate you within about 5M, wheras the non GPS type is to within about 5K from memory. With the HF you need to be able to tell the person your location to be able to find you as well, or in a situation where you lose your vehicle (it catches fire) or can't use a vehicle powered radio (flat battery) as long as you can grab the EPIRB you can get a distress signal out.

03_troopy · Guru

Burnie wrote:
A bit big to hang around your neck, approx 7 x 1.5 x 3.5 inch.
I carry mine in backpack with my water, first aid gear and other goodies including a good uhf handheld radio range is good for about 14Km in straight line of site.
Also decent simple to use GPS is a must, the Garmin etrex comes to mind here. Learn how to use it in partcular "Trackback" if you go for a wander and get lost
it will always show you the way back to camp, set it up to UPM and if in trouble and you are able to make radio contact read the co-ordinates
for you position, ie 51 J 0363899, UTM 6830768. Where 51j is the map number Australia is set up into zones and map numbers so anyone you may happen to
contact can contact emergency services and give them your position. The GPS is accurate to about 1 metre. The map ref above is for Chain Bore in WA, check
it out on google if you wish. I carry my GPS on my belt at all times I leave camp, just mark the camp prior to moving off take your wander and if not sure of your way
back just press GOTO highlight your mark and it will lead you home.

hope this helps

Burnie

Hi Burnie, How did you format the UTM projection to use in Google maps? I tried several ways but couldn't get Google Maps or Google earth to understand UTM and had to convert to Lat Long. The location I got seems to be about 5K east of a flooded hole in the ground, and about 7K SE of another similar one. Most people these days seem to only use the Lat Long WGS84 coordinates when noting a location or POI's etc, so unless the person on the other end understands what UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator Map Grid) you maybe better off just sending the Lat Long using WGS84 datum?

Smokeydk · Guru

I honestly know little about epirb......

My question is.....how long do the batteries last.........I bet if I had one and needed to use it....they would be flat......just like my handheld other things...I own...... like mob phone...UHF....???

03_troopy · Guru

Smokeydk wrote:
I honestly know little about epirb......

My question is.....how long do the batteries last.........I bet if I had one and needed to use it....they would be flat......just like my handheld other things...I own...... like mob phone...UHF....???

Usually about 5 years, but some have a longer life. It's not something that draws current unless you operate it, so they can be fitted with a long life battery that will last that sort of time.

Red Dog · Senior Member

Hi wombat Yes i have an old Coden x-2 HF hooked to a self tunning aerial about 20 yo but still works fine about 100 watts up the stick.

When i retired from work [ heavy diesl fitter for 31 years at west trac] hear in wa, had my radio channels changed to all VKS ones, which yes they work fine, I was more into finding out about lap top cumminication which I have know been set straight cheers Dave.