RADIO HAND SET (UHF)
Commonly called UHFs in Australia. My strong recommendation is the Australian made GME handset.
GME has a large range. I would suggest the
XRS-330COB, XRS™ Connect Outback Pack as a minimum. Most installers can easily source these. There are higher end models like the XRS 370 and XRS 390.
The
Rok Dr Guide has an Appendix which tells you the commonly used UHF channels, there are 80 channels, some for emergency use only and other data channels. So the Appendix is helpful.
UHF MOUNTING BRACKET
Buy the GetGoodGear Mounting bracket
here. A very easy DIY.
Some other things I think are must haves are:
PLB
If you intend to go really remote like Kimberley, Cape York, Simpson Desert a Personal Locator Beacon or PLB is a must have. People can and do die every year in remote parts of Australia. PLBs save people's lives. Sometimes help cannot be many hours away.
All my PLBs have been GME. After you buy one in Australia register it with
AMSA, with all emergency contacts.
Look at the
GME MT620GR or MT610G (slightly cheaper). The only difference is one tells you when your distress signal has reached the satellite.
Nice to have for a lap, must have if going remote.
SPARE FUSES
Have spare fuses as they are hard to find in remote parts of Australia.
At least some of the common or critical fuses.
FIRST AID KIT
Have a good
First Aid Kit and also a
Snake Bite KIt as well. Remember the First Aid Kit may be the only help for hours, so my car First Aid Kit is the biggest one I own. FYI: Remote Cattle Stations can be source of help in an emergency.
PUNCTURE REPAIR KIT
The best I have seen (and own) is the Ronny Dahl
Tyre repair kit.
RECOVERY KIT
You need some form of recovery gear, at minimum a shovel like the longer
DRIFTA shovel. It can be used for recoveries and digging a hole for Number 2’s.
You should have either Maxtraxs or recovery straps as well with your winch.
NUMBER 1’s AND NUMBER 2’s
As toilets are few and far between in remote Australia (much more common on a lap). A shovel and a
toilet chair are the way to go. You can use your recovery shovel.
Toilet chairs
like this work well, dig hole, put seat over the hole, let nature take its course. Burn the toilet paper, fill in hole. Firm down sand/dirt.
AIR COMPRESSOR
A portable or fixed air compressor is a must have. A topic all to itself.
FRIDGE
I have travelled remote without a fridge and it can be done. But having a fridge makes remote travel so much better. I learnt this on the Simpson Desert trip when Simon and Rohan gave me a cold water each night.
REAR ROOF SHELF
I put so many things on my shelf.* A couple of choices in Australia like KAON, Euro Flo and GetGoodGear. But this may depend on how you intend to store things in the back of the car.
*Like air compressor hoses, my camping chair, rope, sun shades, spare filters, paper towel holder, etc.
LHD Car
You will probably need a yellow sticker on the back of the car advising drivers it is a LHD vehicle. Australians like the Brits and Japanese drive on the right hand side of the road.
