Communication requirements for outback

Kay Moller · Newbie

Communication requirements for outback

Peter_n_Margaret · Senior Member

Get yourselves a PLB. Personal Locator Beacon. And register it with the Department of Communications. beacons.amsa.gov.au/about/index.asp
Cost about $300-$400, lasts 7-10 years and no ongoing costs.
Averyone who ever travels outside the mobile network should have one.
Cheers,
Peter

Kay Moller · Newbie

Thanks for that. We are also looking at the Zoleo . Have you heard anything about this device

Possum3 · Guru

UHF and Telstra blue tick phone - unless you're going to isolated areas.

If you are going off track, ensure local authorities (police) are made aware of your itinerary - A PLB may be required if travelling by your self.

jjellfern · Member

Zoleo worked a treat for me, just spent 3 weeks western QLD, never failed

Whenarewethere · Guru

No shortage of people in the Kimberlys, & everyone is helpful.

Unless you are going down some obscure goat tracks I wouldn't stress out too much.

TPMS, multiple spares, repair kit & quality compressor would be at the top op my list.

Keith P · Senior Member

What they all said above.

But if you going to mix it with road trains and roads around mining areas.....generally anywhere really ...then a must have is a UHF radio. Nearly everyone who lives in more remote areas have them fitted to bikes , station vehicles, machinery ,even horse riders, you name it. Trucks and road trains will always acknowledge you if you just tell them that you are aware of them and will be guided by them. Doesnt need to be a fancy set....a good quality hand held with at least 5 watts transmission power will do....but turn it on !!!! And as for some of the chatter on it at times .....just roll with it....after all it is a really usefull public device and everyone uses it ....bit like public loos really.

My humble opinion is if people dont have them then they have no right to complain about road conditions or getting covered in dust or such stuff because of ignorance.

After all .....just about all trucks and road trains have them ....and all for the same reasons caravanners need to have them.

Cheers Keith

Peter_n_Margaret · Senior Member

Kay Moller wrote:
Thanks for that. We are also looking at the Zoleo . Have you heard anything about this device

You can not SMS "000" with a Zoleo in an emergency. They are different devices for different purposes.

For life threatening emergencies, the PLB is the best, most reliable and the cheapest choice.

Cheers,

Peter

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi everyone,
I would like to know more about the Zoleo & the PLB - pros & conns please.

Is it similar (with restrictions) to a sat phone? I know the Zoleo has a subscription service - does it have to be renewed annually or can it be for a period? What is the cost?

Also, what is its battery life?

The SOS button on the Zoleo - is that the same as setting off the PLB. I know with the PLB you cannot talk to a rescuer. But I think it is possible with the Zoleo. Often talking to someone might be better to explain your predicament.

Your thoughts please.

Cuppa · Guru

Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
Hi everyone,
I would like to know more about the Zoleo & the PLB - pros & conns please.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Looks to me that it basically does the same as the iphones do (from iPhone 14 onwards). Cost is less than an iPhone but if using long term the monthly costs add up ..... & you still have to have a phone anyway.
If I were really in trouble I would rather have a PLB & not an SOS signal which has to go through a profit motivated third party before reaching those you need it to reach.
Can be 'suspended' for a small fee when not in use & costs nothing to re-activate which might appeal to those who do multiple short trips each year
No 'voice' service.
https://www.zoleo.com/en-au/satellite-communicator
https://www.zoleo.com/en-au/plans

-- Edited by Cuppa on Wednesday 29th of May 2024 04:49:17 PM

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Thanks Cuppa.

I bought a Zoleo last night at an Anaconda Members' night.
From what I was told, the unit extends the range of a phone if where is no mobile coverage & you get stuck but both you & your contacts have to have the Zoleo app on your phones.

While I have never broken down on earlier adventures something like this may have been a comforting companion some 45 years ago when we were far more adventurous & with a young family on board. My kids (if they can remember) cannot say going bush with Mum & Dad was not exciting!

jegog · Senior Member

On many roads, and not just in the outback, there are chokepoints which require announcing your approach on UHF radio.
Should you not have a UHF radio or not monitor it and encounter a thumping big truck with only a single lane then its goodbye for you.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi jegog,
I understand that those check points are for the two, three long trailered road trains that run between the mines & smelters, ports. They have to call at each check point.We often strike them on the Flinders Highway, sitting on their mandatory 80kph. Knowing that there is one in my vicinity gives me time to take evasive action if required.

A friend sold his caravan due to having two very close shaves with big trucks & police escorts on the Gregory Highway. I gave them a hand held UHF CB that I had no further use of but they were afraid they'd hear some undesirable language so they didn't use it. I told them we have no problems - like most people here.

bristte · Veteran Member

It's rare to hear bad language from professional drivers in the country. Sadly it's all too common to hear it in metro areas. I don't use the UHF all that often, but when you need it, you need it.

jjellfern · Member

You can contact Emergency Services with Zoleo and much much more
For more info see my posts under comms in remote areas in the GENERAL section or google Zoleo for all the information direct from the supplier .
Worked a treat for me