Communication - Overview of Options

Whilst it is highly desirable to carry a mobile phone at all times, be aware that they mostly just don't work outside cities and larger towns and along the main highways. Even Telstra's system designed for the bush, CDMA is extremely patchy. If you have serious health problems investing in a satellite phone is possibly the best, even though the most expensive option. It will work over most of Australia. It has made using the Royal Flying Doctor radio network as an emergency back up (RFDS) almost redundant. Over the last year they have come right down in size and are now almost as small as an everyday mobile. Most have a slightly bulkier antenna. Buying a phone outright can cost $1,000/$2,000.00, but you can hire one for around $19.80 a day from Marlec P/L at Crowsnest in NSW. You can make a booking online. The only extras seem to be hiring an inverter at $1.10 a day to charge it from the vehicle cigarette lighter socket. Calls cost $2.84 a minute. If you have HF radio, you can use Radphone to connect into the normal land based telephone network - very similar to using a normal form but remember it is a "party line" so is no good for sensitive business use. This is called PSTN and your radio MUST have a pin number inserted - about $25.00. Calls are limited to 6 minutes and will only work as well as the radio link permits, but on a good day, you can theoretically connect from anywhere in Australia. It should be noted though that Telstra are slowly CLOSING DOWN this network. Amateur groups are trying to keep it going by manning base stations and some resellers seem to be failing to advise purchasers of its eminent demise. The cost of the HF set is not cheap, but you do see them advertised in Trading Post.

Personally we feel the satellite phone is the best option as there is far less to go wrong, it's easy to understand, is the way of the future, lets you use fax and email anywhere and you do not need a huge aerial. Fitting a CB radio is a good move as long as you realise the distance limitations and don't place too much reliance on it - range is really only line of sight. We found CB fantastic in times of flood and cyclones. It is also wonderful on the road, as many caravanners have them and you can have a chat whilst on the move about best parks etc. Just look for the sign on the back of the van usually giving the vanners name and the Channel - usually 18. More foresighted clubs issue stickers for placing on the back of your van. The old AM is just about dead in the water, so best to investigate UHF. Hand helds start at around $80.00.

There is more information about satellite phones in a book by Collyn Rivers - Motorhome Electrics and Caravans Too. See page 60. Collyn has actually used a satellite phone since 1994 so speaks from first hand experience. More info at www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com. We have a very detailed article on sat phones by clicking here.