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A Journal of our Travels
Communications
When travelling, it is always advisable to have good communications, especially when away from civilisation. There are different options, and all have their good points and limitations.
UHF CB Radio
- Range
- 5–20 km (line of sight)
- Typical Range
- 5–20 km (line of sight)
- Infrastructure Required
- None
- Licence Required
- No
- Best Use Case
- Convoy communication, nearby vehicles, campsites
- Key Limitations
- Short range, terrain dependent
Amateur Radio (VHF/UHF)
- Typical Range
- 10–50 km (local), longer via repeaters
- Infrastructure Required
- Repeaters (optional)
- Licence Required
- Yes
- Best Use Case
- Vehicle-to-vehicle and regional communication, backup emergency contact
- Key Limitations
- Licence required, repeater coverage varies
Amateur Radio (HF)
- Typical Range
- Hundreds to thousands of km
- Infrastructure Required
- None
- Licence Required
- Yes
- Best Use Case
- Long-distance and emergency communication in remote areas
- Key Limitations
- More complex setup, operator skill required
HF Radio (RFDS / VKS-737)
- Typical Range
- Australia-wide
- Infrastructure Required
- None
- Licence Required
- Yes (network membership)
- Best Use Case
- Emergency and traveller safety communications
- Key Limitations
- Scheduled frequencies, less flexible
Satellite Phone
- Typical Range
- Global
- Infrastructure Required
- Satellite network
- Licence Required
- No
- Best Use Case
- Direct emergency calls, private communication
- Key Limitations
- Ongoing costs, network outages possible
Satellite Internet (Starlink)
- Typical Range
- Global (where service available)
- Infrastructure Required
- Starlink terminal, clear view of sky
- Licence Required
- No
- Best Use Case
- High-speed internet, messaging, data access, VOIP
- Key Limitations
- Requires clear sky, power-hungry, equipment size, ongoing subscription
Satellite Messenger (inReach, ZOLEO, SPOT)
- Typical Range
- Global
- Infrastructure Required
- Satellite network
- Licence Required
- No
- Best Use Case
- Two-way messaging, tracking, SOS alerts
- Key Limitations
- Limited text/data, slower than full satellite phones
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
- Typical Range
- Global (distress only)
- Infrastructure Required
- Satellite network
- Licence Required
- No
- Best Use Case
- Life-threatening emergencies
- Key Limitations
- One-way alert only
Mobile Phone
- Typical Range
- Global (distress only)
- Infrastructure Required
- Satellite network
- Licence Required
- No
- Best Use Case
- Life-threatening emergencies
- Key Limitations
- One-way alert only
