Ronzo wrote:

---

Just asking opinions on what nomads are using when travelling in remote areas in case an emergency situation occurs. Ive got a PLB and an iPhone with Telstra for better coverage. Planning leaving on a 3-4 month trip mid July up thru inland NSW & QLD then across to NT then north to Darwin then back down WA coast back along the Nullarbor etc Appreciate your thoughts Ron

---

 Have 2 mobiles on 2 major networks, hedging my bets.

Other then that I do not think to much into it to be honest, the more think, the worst it becomes.

PS, as our resident Chief will tell you "smoke signals".

A few options:
1. UHF radio but that depends on relay ability and hope someone is listing
2. HF radio not cheap but will get you coverage.
3. Sat phone These can be rented. From memory Telstra rents then and so do other places.
4. A sat phone case system for your iPhone. Not sure if there is one for Android
All sensible backups for the PLB

Note a sat phone or HF radio will get you total coverage

A UHF really should be part of every caravanners equipment fitted. Sure there are times when you may get no resonse....but usually there is a road train or another clued up traveller about...and a call for help will not be ignored.

Download the australian radio UHF channel frequency /usage site and check what the OZ wide emergency channel is....and also the repeater channel and how to use it. Then set your set up for open scan and leave it on when travelling so you can moniter it. And as for those poor precious souls who cant put up with the language on truckie channel which happens from time to time...well its like this ...tolerate it or die....

 

Cheers  Keith

We have both Optus and Telstra , you will be surprised in a lot of out back places that Optus works but there is no Telstra signal .
After that we use starlink wifi calling works every where .

First the it's best that your phone has band 28 700Mhz this is the best rural coverage frequency.

I truely wonder why people are so dependant on telephones, until the mobile phone became so readily available, the majority of us who travelled pre mobile era, we travelled up the guts across the top and bottom, up and down the western and eastern states including remote areas, with paper maps plenty of food and water. We knew if something went wrong stay with the vehicle.

1972 on one trip from where I was working in Exmouth WA to Adelaide, we were out near Iron Knob when the car **** its self, got towed into Iron Nod by another traveller around 9pm, just after that on of the blokes I worked with Exmouth saw us and stopped to check us, he took wife and son on to Adelaide, while I waited for the holden dealer to open in the morning, gear on the distributor was replaced and back on the road again.

With todays modern vehicles it not that simple, so RAA, RACV, NRMA etc membership is the most important tool you can have.

A PLB is the cheapest EFFECTIVE method of getting help in a life threatening situation in remote areas. About $300-$400, good for 7-10 years and no ongoing costs. Completely portable. They are also the easiest to use. Put the arial up and press the button.
If activated, there WILL be a response to a PLB, generally within a couple of hours ANYWHERE in Australia. They also work anywhere in the world.
For the best results, they must be registered at beacons.amsa.gov.au/registration/

Mobile 'phones and UHF radios can NOT be relied upon.
HF radio is expensive and requires significant knowledge to use effectively. In the event of an accident, they can be rendered useless.
There are also devices such as "Spot" satellite devices with limited 2 way communication capability that are useful, but they will cost more than a PLB.
Then there are satellite phones with lots more capability at significantly higher cost.

My advice is to get a PLB if you ever expect to be out of mobile telephone range (and you can not travel this country and not do that). If you want more that that, buy or rent a satellite 'phone, as well.
Cheers,
Peter

l2sfbc.com/why-starlink-isnt-an-emergency-response-system-for-vehicle-based-overlanders-offroaders-and-outdoors-people/

Starlink also isnt as portable as a satphone or distress beacon. In fact, without a vehicle, its really not portable at all, and thats before you consider the power sources. Speaking of power, well youll want a decent size 12v battery to keep Starlink going, and a means to replenish the battery such as solar. In contrast, you dont need to worry about that with a distress beacon, and a satphone battery lasts a long time, and can be recharged with a small solar panel, or maybe a USB power pack.

Starlink is also far from robust. The dish can be damaged easily, and the wifi system isnt designed for outdoors use. Again, contrast that to a satphone, satellite communicator or distress beacon.

 

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Saturday 11th of May 2024 03:37:28 PM

There are many places on main roads without mobile 'phone reception in this country, like 90% of the Stuart Highway, and even significant parts of Highway 1, particularly in northern Queensland and the NT and that is before you consider anything less "main".
www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/our-coverage

And if you have had a "small" incident, like loosing control for a moment while avoiding a kangaroo, wrecking your UHF antennae on a bush will render that useless.
Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Sunday 12th of May 2024 05:34:36 PM

Zoleo is a global satellite texting system and offers much more, text any mobile in the world when out of cellular range and receive a reply

www.triplezero.gov.au/triple-zero/smartphone-applications
This is the free Government app to allow your smart 'phone to send an accurate GPS position when you call 000.
It requires a mobile signal to work.
Knowing your exact position is critical for emergency services to find you quickly, especially out of towns.
Cheers,
Peter

You can NOT contact 000 by SMS.
You MUST send the SMS to 0423 677 767. Not a number that most of us will ever remember.
www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/instruction-sheet-2-3-sms-relay-call-to-emergency-services_2.pdf
Cheers,
Peter

There is a difference between emergency rescue and getting help.

I agree that PLB would have to be the most reliable if rescue is the goal. But you may prefer to get someone who will help get you and your vehicle back to civilisation rather than be airlifted by a helicopter, leaving everything you own there. In that case some form of two way communication would be most desirable.

Are We Lost wrote:

---

 In that case some form of two way communication would be most desirable.

---

 

 

If it works 

There has just been a PLB activation near Co-ck-elbiddy on the Nullarbor. On Facebook for those that use it.
www.facebook.com/WA.Police/videos/1679144035955774/
The vehicle had been bogged for 4 days and they were running out of supplies. They activated their PLB and a chopper was sent to investigate. Once they had been sighted, 2 way communication was established with UHF. A ground vehicle arrived and snatched them out of the bog.
All very quick and painless.
There would be no charge for this service.
Cheers,
Peter