Communication Information

Even in the Bush there are communication systems which can provide contact to people. These can be great if very bad weather means your going to be returned later than you planned or you have a injured person who needs help. Some people don't want to carry mobile phones etc believing it takes something away from there bush experience - How would you contact help if on the side of Mt. Feathertop with a broken leg?

There are 2 main public systems which cover many areas around North East Victoria bushwalking areas.

1. - GSM / CDMA Mobile Phones Systems - Can provide access from Mountain tops and main ridges.

2. - UHF Public CB - Can provide access via repeaters* from Mountains, main ridges and many areas.

*Repeaters - These are communication equipment mainly located on mountains or on towers.

Example :

Point A tries to contact point B directly but no go.

Both A and B can access the repeater. Using the repeater they can talk to each other.

I have found that I can use my Telstra connected GSM (Digital) mobile phone from the Mt Feathertop area including Federation Hut, MUMC hut and most of the Razorback. I have also used it on the Mt. Bogong area including the top of Staircase, top of Eskdale track and between Mt. Bogong and just above Cleve Cole Hut.

There are mobile phone towers located on various mountain tops and ridges in this area which can provide good access to the mobile phone system.

I also carry a Electrophone TX6000 UHF Handheld radio with 2dB Antenna and have found great access to repeaters from most of the above locations.

Please note that you may need to walk up onto the top of a mountain to used them but they can provide wonderful access if you need assistance.

Basically if your injured or lost in the bush you can call 112 or 000 (112 is the emergency number for mobile phones which connects you to 000 in Australia) and ask for Ambulance for injuries or Police for Search rescue if required. Depending on your location and weather etc Ambulance, Police or Vic SES personal may come out. They may walk in or fly in on a helicopter importantly remember that it may take some time so be patient and once you have made contact setup camp and don't move. Before you contact the emergency number try to have your current location grid-ref so you can advise them - If lost advise where your last known location was and basically the direction of where you walked. (i.e. - I was at Federation Hut then went onto Mt Feathertop, Fog dropped down and I thought we were on the way back but we are now on another ridge which I don't know the name of.)

You should note that if a ambulance or police helicopter is used to rescue you the costs will be covered by Ambulance Membership so make sure your membership is current otherwise the costs could be many thousands of dollars.

If using a UHF radio firstly find a repeater which you can access, repeaters are found on channels 1 to 8 and you need the Duplex button down. Duplex means the radio will send transmissions up 30 channels. If on Channel 1 when in duplex the transmission is sent on channel 31 which is the receive channel for the repeater. The repeater then sends out the transmission on channel 1.

Channel 8 Repeater located on Mt Porepunkah above Bright. This repeaters covers most high ridges, lookout etc including Mt Bogong, Mt Feathertop, The razorback and many mountains on the the Bogong High Plains. Notes for this repeater - The repeater gives a Beep once you stop your transmission. This repeater runs off batteries and can run down especially during winter. (Not available currently - June 2007)

Channel 8 Repeater is located on the Pinnacles out over the great divide, This repeater doesn't give a beep simply stops transmission after approx 1 second after you stop transmission. Not many people use this repeater but you may be able to get help in am emergency.

Channel 3 Falls Creek -At first this would seem to be a excellent repeater to use due to its mountain location, but it is not really usable, Hardly anyone out of Falls Creek can use it but it would be worth a try in an emergency. Some base radios using base antennas in Bright and Mt. Beauty can access this repeater so you may be able to contact someone.

Channel 7 - Tallangatta doesn't have a beep and can be accessible from Albury - Wodonga so help could be contacted. Can be accessed from many high ridges and mountains tops etc.

Channel 4 - Wodonga - No beep. Accessible from Wodonga and Albury so great contact.

Channel 6 - Wangaratta. - No beep -Hard to access except on very high ridges and mountain tops.

In the Mount Kosciusko area and the North-East side of Mt. Bogong you may also be able to access the Channel 2 repeater located at Khancoban, which may be monitored by emergency services.

** No Guarantee can be made in regard to radio and mobile access due to the unpredictable nature of radio communications. Bad Weather, Solar radiation, dense cloud, heavy foliage, other communication equipment and nearby structures can all decrease communication access. Always when using handheld radios have the antenna vertical to increase performance.