Outer Limits 4x4 Board

What are all the differant types and what arethe pros and cons of each...?

And where do I go to get the cop channels programmed in?

Nick

Maddog wrote:And where do I go to get the cop channels programmed in?

Nick

i got mine done at major communication....that was in nsw...

Ok which type all depends what you want to do

the common CB gives you line of sight resonable range but not that many use them these days No licence needed

UHF great for vehical to vehical comms used by most truckies can be programmed to the cop channels if you have the right radio gives line of sight coms but shorter range than a CB this by far the most common in 4x4 scene most clubs only use UHF now no licence needed

HF you need a licence but will give long range comms is great for outback comms and calling the flying doctor but my thoughts are

I spent many years on a RAAF search and rescue team.

I would take a sat phone before a hf radio everytime.

Modern HF radios are good but you still need to know how to read charts to find the right freq. Do you know how to set up all the varrious types of antenna and when to use them ? Does everyone your traveling with know the same ? These points all can cost your life in the outback just think what would happen you roll your truck your nice auto tunning antenna is buggered you have a gaping head wound and need a doctor quick can your wife or who ever you are traveling with set up a inverted V long wire antenna and call for a doctor while she is worried about you ??? At the same time working out what freq to use.

Anyone can drive a sat phone

Yes a sat phone costs lots of money to use but how often do you use it ?? When you are in trouble right so who cares about cost. Plus you can hire one for the big trips.

thne you have all sorts of HAM radios like VHF etc but I dont think you are into that from your post

Cost wise CB then UHF then HF increasing in price


So in short if you just want to hear the truckies for the location of cops and maybe scan the cop channel and truck to truck comms on a 4x4 trip I would go UHF if you are planning a big outback trip then buy and EPIRB and hire a sat phone if you are going to do lots of outback trips or go for a few months then buy a SAT phone

i reckon a HF would be better for outback travel as you can continually check track conditions etc... + they are cheaper arent they??

I have this months 4x4 monthly and there is a guy who does waaaay outback travel and tourism...
He had a sat phone..but said it became finacially unvialble, and isn't garanteed to work any ways.

HF had the same ability to reach out for help when needed, but he coould also dial in to listen to the footy, news and may other things that took his fancey..i can cut that out of the movie i have if you like to see it.

ah bugger it...here it is

http://members.optushome.com.au/punchbag2/satphone.WMV

HF radios are great when all is working fine and a modern radio with self tuning antennas are pretty easy to use

Just dont rely on it if you roll your truck on big red and need to call the flying doctor


All depends on what you want it for but IMO they are NOT a saftey item Seen it go wrong is a search and Rescue situation too often

And the guys we had to rescue knew their HF radios better than most 4x4ers will ever dream of.

EPIRB that has been serviced is the best saftey option

Sat phones are damn good for saftey I like the brief case/handheld style as you can take it out of a rolled truck and use it

HF radios are good for day to day comms yes but you can do the same by regularly checking in with local coppers and farmers and leaving your trip plan with people.

I am not knocking a HF radio but I am trying to point out that dont rely on it as your only comms for saftey unles everyone you are traveling with knows the difference between a dipole and inverted V long wire antenna knows how to set them up and when to use each type, they can read isotopic charts and can manually tune an antenna sure you dont need the knowledge in day to day comms but you will when the #$%^ hits the fan