Bushwalk Australia

I have just purchased an EPIRB (or PLB to be more precise). It is one of the new 406Mhz ones so will be compatible after Feb next year. The battery on this particular model lasts 7 years and as we plan to hike overseas as well as remote Aus we thought it would be a good investment.

Would be interested if anyone else carries one and whether you have ever needed to use it? Also what response times have you experienced if so? There is a difference in accuracy between GPS and non GPS units but we did not get a GPS compatible one due to the price being so much higher.

Also if you have one of the old ones are you planning to replace it? An information pack I received from the Aus Maritime Safety Authority states that 150,000 units on the 121.5 Mhz have not yet been switched over for new frequency units and that they anticipate a rush on orders prior to Feb 09 that will demand will outstrip supply.

sorry but Im not that interested in ppl telling me it is too heavy to carry. I am planning on carrying it on my impending OT trip, yes it weighs 200g and no I don't think it will not make me stumble off the track or cause me horrible knee or back injuries if I add it to my pack contents....

I carry one( new 406 model) just sits in with the other emergency gear ie repair kit and first aid kit. It now goes with me on all overnite walks. I would feel awful stupid if I needed it and it wasn't there. Most of my walking is done with just one other person so I feel it is a good back stop. Wouldn't like to be stuck out in the bush with a busted leg by myself while mate went for help. I carry the PLB he carries the GPS. We both carry compasses and maps as we are always arguing about which way is north and which mountain that is in the distance.
I have never had to use it so I cant give much other info. I didnt pay the extra for the one with GPS I couldnt justify it. If I have to wait an extra half a day so be it, still better than the old timers.
Is it ok for overseas?

Roger

Apparently any 406 model can be used overseas. According to the AMSA if an Australian registered beacon is activated overseas an alert is sent to whatever rescue centre is responsible for the region. A second notification is then sent to the Australian rescue centre alerting them that an Australian beacon has been activated overseas.

Likewise if an overseas beacon is activated here the signal will find its way to the Australian rescue centre in the first instance.

I guess if you are overseas you still need to rely on whatever local search and rescue operation they have set up which may have varying degrees of effect depending on where you are in the world.

It is possible to buy a PLB from overseas and have it recoded to Australia. This could be a cheaper option if they are cheaper to buy overseas??? I didn't explore this option because we needed one fairly soon.

Another option is the Spot system, which has all the benefits of a 406 plus the option of live tracking whenever the unit is turned on.

This gives friends/relatives etc the option of seeing where you are at any time, you can also send an OK email from the unit at the touch of a button if you dont have live tracking option.


http://www.findmespot.com/ExploreSPOT/S ... enger.aspx

Regarding the SPOT system - the only review of it I have read was pretty scathing. A lot of the regular messages that were sent to log the tester's position didn't get through and there was no feedback to indicate that fact. I'll can dig out the review and add more comments if people are interested, but I remember that the overall verdict was: "nice idea, poor execution." For now, I think a PLB or satellite phone is the way to go.

I was about to say the same thing as alliecat.
The article can be found here: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... acker.html
Comments seem to suggest that reliability may be an issue with the Globalstar satellite network on which the SPOT operates.

I will be purchasing an Iridium 9505A Satellite Phone in the near future as Sat Phones have significant advantages over EPIRBs and the 'SPOT' tracker devices.

My take on the SPOT

The Globalstar satellite network has never been reliable in places where you need to have coverage and I don't see that the SPOT will be any better in remote locations.

The Iridium network, while more expensive to use, is far more reliable in the remote locations of Tasmania.

There is a philosophic consideration in all this. Do we still get a 'wilderness experience' when we take phone technology with us? PLB's provide a 'safety net' without some of the other implications of the availability and use of technology in the bush.

Just a thought...

Tony Robinson

Tony,

Spot on about the globalstar network in Australia - not a good option.

I understand your point about the "wilderness experience" but, for me, taking a sat phone is more about making my family feel safe about me walking alone than anything else. If it was just for my benefit, then a PLB would be enough, but the sat phone gives my loved ones a level of comfort they otherwise wouldn't have.

And you don't have to use a sat phone, it's just there if you need it, like a PLB.

Cheers,
Alliecat

I carry an older version a many trips, mainly the more remote trips. While I haven't needed to use it we have treated it as an 'only use if all other options have failed'. We structure and plan our trips so that there is minimal need to set the PLB off. A good article is by the Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad http://www.bwrs.org.au/pages/epirb.html. One important factor I keep in mind is the response time. The various units 121 vs 406 and GPS and also your location affect the possible response time. I do plan on getting a new 406 unit with GPS.

Geoff