Atagalong Tours

12/07/2024

Canning stock route , Anne Beadell, Madigan line and more red dirt and sand tours have now been listed for 2025.

01/03/2023

Madigan Line August 2023

Departs from Maree S.A on the 9th August 2023.
Concludes in Charlieville, Queensland 18th August 2023

Limited spaces are still available.

Come "atagalong" with us,

www.atagalongtours.com.au

16/01/2023

UHF Radio Talk.
Keeping safe in remote outback areas.

This article is a long read, if you are short on time, or short on patience then move on now. You may need a cuppa plus some spare time to digest it all.

For me UHF radios are a must have when travelling in the remote outback of Australia. What I practice helps keep me and others behind in convoy safe. Especially when traveling in remote sand dune country hundreds of k's away from any towns or help.

I have owned and operated radios since I was 18 years old going way back to the old CB or citizen band radio sets. I have never owned a larger Flying doctor style HF set so I cannot comment about them.

As a young bloke I spent time behind the wheel of various heavy vehicles as a professional interstate driver. I drove trucks and later coaches between Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

In 2022 I traveled over 15 thousand k's on red dirt, plus the black top on top of that. When I travel my UHF radio is always on, even at night. I always answer a call out.

Why have a UHF radio?:
The answer is simple Safety.
My interest in writing this article is also simple, Safety.
Your safety, also mine and the folks I travel with in convoy!

Later, I will expand on some near miss's in dune country. This is only with the aim of helping the reader understand the importance of "good UHF radio communication".

Here we go!

Six simple steps folks to a safer trip.
1/. Purchase a mountable UHF radio and aerial from a reputable manufacturer or retailer.
2/. Mount it, or have a qualified trades person permanently mount the unit in your vehicle.
3/. Learn how to use the radio.
4/. Learn the correct channels to use.
5/. Learn the lingo used, sometimes its slang or abbreviated.
6/. Use it.

UHF Channels: A brief guide is listed below.
Channels 5 and 35: Duplex channels strictly used for emergency communications.
Channels 9, 12-17, 19-21 24-28, 30, 39, 49-60, 64-70, 79, 80: General use channels.
Channel 10: 4WD Clubs or Convoys and National Parks.
Channel 18: Caravanners and Campers Convoy Channel.
Channel 40: Australia Wide road safety channel used primarily by truckies and oversize load pilot vehicles.

Google can easily help you with more channel information.
To really simplify 10 in National Parks, 40 on the highway will get you talking.

Using the UHF microphone:
For concise transmission reception to the other party, when transmitting I always hold the mic at least 100 mm away from my mouth, also away to the left or corner of the mouth.

Getting used to your UHF radio:
Don’t be shy, have a crack around town to get used to the unit and its features. You could consider trying the below examples sitting in your driveway at home. No stress this way!

Simply ask “anyone give me a radio check please”
Then ask the responder, “what is your approximate location please”, don’t forget to say thank you.
Another suggestion is to ask for a traffic report i.e., “what is the Westgate bridge like south bound please”.

Using your radio on the highway:
Other road users or truckies can be a great help if you know how to talk to them properly and don’t waffle on about nonsense. Generally, I find that if you ask a concise question the driver will answer. Call them up ensuring you identify the truck or vehicle so the driver knows that he is being asked a question.

Example of how I call out: You are heading North, call out,
“South bound in the red b double copy?”

The truckie knows your close generally speaking due to the strength of your signal, or in common terms how well you came across on his unit.

As long as there is only one red b double and not ten red b doubles south bound, he is likely to respond.
Should the truck brand be known to me i.e., Kenworth or transport companies name then I use them as well.

Traffic conditions, hazards, wide transport loads and even speed camera locations can be obtained by listening and asking the questions.

See a aerial on 4x4 then call out the brand i.e Toyota 200 series and heading etc, same thing as with truckies, generally the 4x4 fraternity also like a quick chat.

If a driver does not respond do not despair, he may have his unit turned down and listening to a book or music. Ask the next one.

Talking the lingo in the desert dune country:
If you google the communications code abbreviation “CQ”, you will find the following definition.

CQ or ˈsē-ˈkyü, used at the beginning of messages of general information or safety notices or by shortwave amateurs as an invitation to talk to other shortwave amateurs. CQ.

This works for me on UHF as CQ CQ twice gets the other listeners attention as it is very concise. Straight away I know to listen when I hear this called out.

When I am traveling in low visibility areas of the Australian outback, I call out CQ, CQ at the start of a general broadcast.
It’s the breaker, the hello I’m here, is anyone else?
I do not do this on the Birdsville track for example where visibility is generally much higher.

Here is an example of how I call out in the Simpson desert.
“CQ CQ party of five west bound, French Line at marker point 10, any one copy?”
What I have done is, I have just transmitted a short concise message, I have alerted others that I am present and in their UHF units radio range. I have given my location and heading, along with the number of vehicles in my convoy.
This valuable information to any one travelling from West to East or in plain language from the opposite direction.

The question at the end, Any one copy?
I am actually asking for a call back to me, for a response.
A response from anyone travelling east to let me know that they are there, that they are within transmission range. The louder and stronger the return then, the closer we are to each other. I can then ask for your location, no nasty surprise on the crest of a dune!

On occasion the other chatter can be 20 k’s away or even more. I have UHF radios installed in our vehicles that may transmit over a 30 k range, or even further in the right conditions.

Long distance communication is a situation where experience helps understanding signal strengths etc. You may call out to chatter you can hear but they simply don’t hear you, you are on top of a dune and they are in the swale for example. (a swale is the flat area between dunes) Your up high on a dune and they are low, then vice a versa things don’t match up always.
Again, call out, stop watch listen, keep safe.

Breaker Breaker:
Its code for excuse me! I need to interrupt another conversation. Breaker Breaker. use this when all of a sudden you hear loud clear traffic on the UHF radio. The other party may have just come onto the track you are on, they could be heading to you, or away from you but you need to find out quickly. Wait until the other party has a break in conversation then call out Breaker breaker to ask the Question.

When surprised, I call out to them as follows on the QAA line for example. "Breaker Breaker, this is a west bound party of five at market point 15 on the QAA line Copy”. You may have to repeat this a couple of times. Concise important information you are giving to the other party helping to keep all safe.

I believe another important time to call out is on the dune assent, I call out when I can around the middle of a dune assent. Especially if its been quiet on the radio. Some dunes you may have way too much going on as a driver, but if not alone, then your passenger could call out.

I call out “CQ CQ West bound cresting” for example.
I don’t call this out on every single dune, it also depends on the amount of traffic around, lack of radio chatter always gets my attention on well trafficked tracks. I do not want Mr “she’ll be right” to pop up in front of me!

Absolutely no hard and fast rules really it is all about experience and common sense. Like everything the more, you get involved, the easier it is, experience is a great teacher.

People in convoys behind my vehicle have in the past played audio books, play their favourite music, when ataging along, they dont complain about the chat as they are safe. They learn to watch me and enjoy the experience.

Close encounters:
Picture this example in your mind:
You are a Solo vehicle or leading a group of vehicles behind you.
You’re cresting a steep dune with your vehicles nose high in the air, you cannot see another vehicle coming from the opposite direction, you are momentarily blind, at risk. Neither driver is aware of the others presence.
Things happen, you are bouncing around, your eyes temporarily not looking in the right direction for example, there is a potential for a head on smack to the front end of the vehicles. Trust me out there, that is exactly what no one wants.

Sure, you have your sand flag attached to your vehicle, if the oncoming vehicle is doing the right thing with one on also then it will give you that split-second advantage, communication is way more efficient how ever.
It is a scary thing to have happen, this has happened to me many times by "she'll be right drivers". I’m lucky so far and have avoided the smack but I stress that the saying “She’ll be right mate” simply does not apply.
In dune country, high grasses or any area with really restricted vision, always but always call out your location regularly. Advise anyone travelling in the opposite direction that you are there. If you are travelling on the French Line in the Simpson desert for example there are marker points every 5 k’s or so, you can call out your location when heading toward others.

If we all do this it will reduce the chances of a head on collision on the crest of a dune.

Private conversations:
Don’t overdo it on the chit chat, its blocking up the channel so others cannot call out. Stop and talk about the dingo, eagle or whatever the conversation happens to be, have a cuppa or a quick break then move on.

Like everything common sense has to prevail, when I’m on a quiet track then I use the watch and listen on the crests, then every 20 minutes or so I call out. If I hear chatter, I call out. I never know if another party has been stopped, stopped for a rest break, morning tea or whatever. By the way that is another situation to call out, straight after you re-join the track, or join another track.

Hand Held UHF Radios:
Hand held units only have a short range, perhaps 5 ks line of sight, not powerful enough for good clear consistent vehicle-to-vehicle communication over any distance. They are great once you are out of the vehicle for recovery work or ground to ground communication over limited distances.

Motor Bikes:
Some riders do the right thing and have UHF systems, some don’t.
Riders travel much quicker for balance reasons in sand, plus they can, and believe me they do!

Here is another close encounter story with a bike rider:
This guy was flying, literally! he had both wheels off the ground still going at 60 k’s per hour right at the crest of the dune.
Luckily my travelling mate in front told me to stop by using his UHF radio. If I hadn't known he was coming the bike would have been through my windscreen. The rider would have gone over the handle bars into my tow unit, potentially causing us and him injuries. He missed us by millimeters, this was the scariest moment I have experienced in the desert to date.
It turned out he was practicing for the fink desert race. By the way, all vehicles are restricted to 40 kph in the Simmo. I’d like to see a bike jump that high over the crest of a dune at 40 kph.

There was some radio noise made from us to his support unit following this but they just didn’t care. “she’ll be right mate, until it isn’t”.

Close encounter on the Canning:
Another example was when we met two oncoming vehicles on the canning stock route in dune country. They were without any UHF radios at all. Not even a hand-held unit, why would anyone travel the remote track like the Canning without a radio is gob smackingly stupid. "she'll be right mate" until it is not ! Those sorts of people put others at risk, big time. Preparation is King.

Observation through experience:
It is getting worse every year as more people travel dune country. However, it can change if all vehicles have a UHF radio installed and the owners use it. A good UHF radio will last you for years, they are not overly expensive to purchase.

I travel over one or two dunes each year. I practice the following religiously please copy me.

Always have a regulation height sand flag in dune country or as required by National Parks etc. If you have a failure on a dune, call out and advise others that you are stuck.

Stop a reasonable distance away from the crest of the dune you have just crested. Do not stop on the top but at least three or four car lengths minimum away from the crest. Then simply watch for a moment, use your radio call out whilst you have the height of the dune to your advantage, then listen.

Watch and listen, watch and listen, call out and listen, call out and listen, repeat all the way over dune country, call any vehicles behind you over the dunes. With experience, you will know when to call out and how often etc. If you are following another group, cool then its easy peasy, If you are not the vehicle in front come cresting time, respect the guy that is, he is taking more risks than you are.

The number of times I have seen movement, a sand flag waving away or a sun glare flash from another vehicle’s windscreen is huge. These are the moments that allowed me to be in control, of not only my safety, but my group behind. Remember, I also have the “she’ll be right” bloke covered as well.

Simply monitoring a UHF channel is not good enough, use it.

In closing:
Please read the notes under each picture.
Articles like this one take years to write.
Its called experience.
Please be respectful with your comments,
You dont agree?
Fine,
Move on without leaving a comment,
Be a bigger person.

I may just of helped someone, as is my intention.
Keep Safe, thank you for taking the time to read this article.
If you see me "out n about" say g'day!

Written by W Sprigg for Atagalong Tours as a guide for your consideration, 2023. Pictures by W Sprigg. Copyright.

16/01/2023

Traveling around the remote Australian Outback is completely different from a blacktop lap.

Some tips for you to consider.

These are simple basic things that may help save a life, it could be yours. Be safe, have a ground Charlie.

My Number one rule is to have a “Ground Charlie” Atagalong Tours always have a trip itinerary and a “Ground Charlie”

In 2022 I traveled over 20 thousand k's on red dirt or sand country, this does not including the Black top.

This is the most important piece of advice I can give you, have an itinerary planned and share that itinerary with someone at home.
That person is your “Ground Charlie”.

Charlie should be a responsible person you can trust to always have your back!
Charlie should be intelligent enough to understand your movements and know all about your vehicle details including registration number or numbers. Charlie must be able to read a map, understanding your travel routes.
Charlie should have current picture of your vehicle including a tow unit if applicable.
Charlie needs to know of any medical issues including any medications required by you or any other persons in your party.
Why so many details?

Should the occasion arise Charlie can give the authorities the following information quickly. See the following examples of the information Charlie can give out.

Your Names.
Ted Traveller and Jaine Traveller.

Regular Contact Time Slots.
Charlie can report that Ted and Jaine have missed two regular communication slots in a row, this is uncharacteristic for Ted to do this.

Location and Intended route.
Charlie knows that Ted and Jaine were two days out from Birdsville when the last contact was made. Charlie knows that Ted is crossing the Simpson Desert from East to West on the French Line. Charlie knows that they should be at Dalhousie Springs by now but have not checked in.

Vehicle Type.
Charlie explains that Ted and Jaine are driving a White Toyota 200 series Landcruiser with the Victorian registration number plate of TJTRVL, plus pictures of the vehicles. Pictures will help searchers identify the right vehicle. Charlie can advise that Ted does carry some spare parts and tools.

Contact details.
Charlie has tried to contact Ted and Jaine over two days finding that there is no answer on Teds Sat phone. Neither Ted or Jaine are answering their mobile number as well. Charlie can give out the Sat phone and mobile phone numbers to authorities.This is important as Ted and Jaine could be now on the Stuart Highway nearing Alice Springs and only had a Sat phone problem with a flat battery, or Ted simply forgot to contact Charlie to let Charlie know all is well.

As soon as Ted or Jaine turns on a mobile phone the voice mail messages will tell the story that Ted needs to contact “Charlie” The authorities will also be quick to pick you up by tracking your sim card when you pass a mobile phone tower. “Ping” they know where you are!

UHF Radio
Charlie can also advise authorities that Ted has a UHF radio in the vehicle plus a hand-held unit. They will both be tuned to the appropriate channel for the area Ted is travelling. Should an aircraft be sent out to look for Ted then Ted can communicate with the aircraft when in sight. Simpson desert for example radios should be on to the desert channel 10, Charlie can advise that Teds radio call sign is “TT” for example.

Food and Water
Charlie can advise that Ted and Jaine carry enough water to replenish the vehicle’s radiator if required, plus a week’s drinking water, supplies for two people for the trip along with emergency food rations for a week.

Health
Charlie can advise authorities of any general health conditions and medications required by the Travellers.

When to Contact Charlie
Contact your ground Charlie every day or two at the most updating your location, your intended route and time and place of your next contact. Weather events may force changes to any itinerary, vehicles can break down or any manor of things can force you to change your plans. Always let Charlie know your plans and stick to your regular contact times. Discuss the maximum time allowable before Charlie contacts the authorities should you not contact Charlie. Example two days maximum, then Charlie goes into action on the third day.

Mobile phone coverage in the outback.
Generally, as soon as you leave an outback town you will start to lose your mobile phone coverage.

Satellite phones or an epirb?
Don’t travel the remote outback without one, you can rent either cheaply these days.

Epirbs or Sat phones can get misplaced or lost, or have a failure for what ever reason. Charlie is your plan "A" with the use of technology.

Medical Kit
Carry an emergency kit that’s quick to grab anytime,
Atagalong tours or its operators carry a Kit that includes
Heart Defibrillator, Blood Pressure monitoring machine, breathing support ventilator, multiple bandages including snake bite along with most other critical items that could be required.
Atagalong Tours operators are all certified first Aiders.

UHF Radio’s
Don’t travel the outback without a good UHF radio permanently mounted inside your vehicle. Purchase a good branded quality radio / aerial from your local retailer, a hand-held unit is also advisable. Always be aware of the channels required for your location as they can change.

Hand held UHF units.
A hand-held UHF radio for backup to your vehicle mounted unit, or to communicate with others when you are out of your vehicle. On a walk or a vehicle recovery, communication is the key.
Whatever mounted radio brand you purchase have it installed professionally if you are not confident with installation yourself. A UHF radio could save your life! It will definitely make traveling safer and easier.

Note: Atagalong tours does not recommend one UHF radio brand over another, nor does Atagalong tours receive any benefit what so ever from any UHF radio manufacturer. For our use we aim for what we consider to be the best unit fit for purpose at any given moment in time.

UHF Aerials.
In the picture below you can see two different sized UHF aerials fitted to the 6x6. Both are fitted with rubber under the mounting base, this is to help with the vibrations the aerials are subjected to on the bull bar. The base of the unit is also sprung; this is also to help with vibrations and any obstacles encountered allowing for the aerial to bend.

What is the difference between the long and short aerials?
The short aerial is better in the Victorian high country, desert swales or around town, whilst the longer aerial is all about overall distance. Seek further information from a reputable radio retailer. GME have a great video on this subject.

Important message
If you are stuck in the outback for whatever reason, never leave your vehicle. Your vehicle still provides shelter and importantly high visibility for emergency responders to find you.
Don’t panic, don’t wander off, stay with your vehicle,
Someone will find you; patience is a virtue.

At Atagalong tours our staff or our representatives always adhere to the above policy carrying, a Satellite Phone, Mobile Phone, mounted UHF Radio in all of our vehicles along with hand held UHF radio’s. We always have an itinerary and a daily regular communication slot with our “Ground Charlie”. We are trained first aiders and carry a first aid kit with a defibrillator and blood pressure monitoring machine as part of our kit.

Safety first always, traveling in the Outback should not be hazardous, preparation is the absolute King.

If you are feeling adventurous but not 100% confident out n about by yourself, book a 4x4 Outback adventure and tag along with Atagalong Tours in your 4x4 on any of the following remote trips, Anne Beadell Highway, Canning Stock Route, Madigan Line, Simpson Desert or our big one, the Trans Continental East to West to name a few.

Written by Warren Sprigg 2023, Pictures by Warren Sprigg, C Johnson. Copyright law applies.

07/01/2023

Broom, be back again this July after a Canning Stock Route Trip.
Definitely looking forward to that, Cheer wassa

12/12/2022

Pictures from Arkaroola in the Gammon Ranges, Lake Frome in South Australia's outback 2022.

16/11/2022

Goog's Track South Australia, November 2022.

26/09/2022

Some pictures on our reconnaissance trips taken over the years.
It takes time to build up knowledge. Make some memories of your own! Atagalong with us! Cheers Wassa.

23/09/2022

Madigan Line Tours . Starting from either Alice Springs N.T or Maree S.A. Check the web site for tour dates and details for 2023.

www.atagalongtours.com.au

21/09/2022

Travel across Australia, coast to coast. Our trans continental tour departs from Cape Byron N.S.W to Steep Point in Western Australia in Mid April 2023.
atagalongtours.com.au

31/07/2022

Just one of many camp site's on our recent four week across the continent recce. Join us one day as we travel from Byron Bay N.S.W to Steep Point in W.A. After a very long day it was cheers!! www.atagalongtours.com

17/06/2022

Our 2023 Trips are listed on our web site, atagalongtours.com

Madigan Line, We have three different start points for the Madigan Line, two start in South Australia one from Alice Springs. All trips conclude in Birdsville Queensland.
Hay River Track, this trip starts in Birdsville and concludes in Alice Springs Northern Territory.
Our Simpson Desert Rig Road is a East West Crossing from Birdsville that includes the Oodnadatta Track to Marree South Australia.
The Anne Beadell Highway starts in Ceduna South Australia and Includes a Maralinga tour through the atomic test area before we head up to Vokes Hill and across to Western Australia, this tour concludes in Kalgoorlie.
Interested in the Canning Stock Route ? we run separate tours both ways South to North and North to South.
Have an off road camper? we have tours available for those that want to tow.

Anne Beadell Highway, East to West Includes a Maralinga Tour. Off Road Camper Trailers. Cost $4,250.00 per Vehicle with Two Occupants Duration 10 Days. Departs from Ceduna S.A, concludes in Kalgoorlie W.A We follow Len’s track across my favorite desert, “The Great Victoria Desert”. See Tour In...

05/04/2022

I think this pretty much says it all, lets look after what we have.
The planet is precious , do the right thing

Lets go with plain and simple. 😇😄
Don't collect your firewood from the Common. Don't cut down the trees to make a fire. Don't be the person who takes the birds out of Birdsville.
If you didn't BYO and you're after fire wood there is plenty for sale around town.
🤓Look for the FIREWOOD FOR SALE signs 👌 or join someone else's party. 😉🥳

09/01/2022

All the Details are at www.atagalongtours.com.au
Leaving from Ceduna we travel up to Maralinga for a Guided Tour of the Old Cold War Atom Bomb test area, then onto the Anne Beadell Highway. A fantastic remote track that runs across Australia. Should the W.A border still be closed we will conclude the tour in Coober Pedy S.A. Join us in May 2022.

06/01/2022

There is more than one abandoned Camper and Trailer on the Anne Beadell Highway. This picture is a perfect example of why we only allow tough Aussie Built Campers to Atagalong with us.
Cheers Wassa. www.atagalongtours.com.au

25/12/2021

22/12/2021

Atagalong on a Desert Adventure. www.atagalongtours.com.au

12/11/2021

If we all do the best we can to help Nature, we will continue to enjoy her bounty! On Blue rag, Vic High Country. Cheers Wassa

25/07/2021

Center of the Australian Mainland Earlier this year 2021 on a private trip. See www.atagalongtours.com.au for 2022 Tours. Cheers Wassa

02/05/2021

Madigan Line April 2021. First Group Through, Check out 2022 tours www.atagalongtpurs.com.au. Cheers Wassa

29/04/2021

Look a 6x6 Landcruiser !
Mt Chambers Region S.A
Bit of fun, Cheers Wassa

29/04/2021

Madigan Line 21/4/2021 Trip, Last Dune is Big Red. Huge Sand Drift over the top added to the Challenge. One of our group having some fun. www.atagalongtours.com.au
Cheers Wassa

28/04/2021

We led a private tour from Melbourne that hit Old Andado Homestead on the 16/4/21. Then we were the first over the Madigan line in 2021. Actually the first group over since Covid19 closed state borders. Magnificence untouched scenery. It was special ! Very Special. No tracks in front of us all the way across to camp 16. www.atagalongtours.com.au for 2022 Trips, Cheers Wassa