Nav and Comms Gear

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COMMUNICATIONS

It seems that everyone relies heavily on high tech gadgets to stay in touch with the world.
The remote region of the Kokoda means that you are a long way from help if something goes pear shaped, additionally for our trek we had to be self reliant and have our means of communication since we didn't have a support team.
We had two main means of communication.
1. Telephone network.
Digicel is the local telecommunications provider for internet/phone service we had a local SIM to utilize this service but I found that I had only limited coverage on the track mainly available on the top of mountains at the the Port Moresby end of the track. I expected that we could use this service for SMS and email and the odd phone call when coverage was available, however, in reality phone coverage was very limited on the track. No data service at all but occasionally 2G service was available where we could get phone calls and SMS only

2. Satellite System
I have researched all available info on what is the best sat phone system to use. I discovered that the Inmarsat system is ideal for PNG since it has a stationary satellite located just above the area which provides constant sat link. Unlike the Iridian system which operates on an orbiting satellite system and may not always be available particularly if you happen to be in a low lying area between two large mountains as there may be a long wait to get satellite coverage and it will possibly drop out of range.

We used the Inmarsat system on the track with good results and clear calls with no drop outs.

for more info see here

Photos

solar charger.& sat phone
it worked great

gps screen.
The GPS info from the sat phone can be sent by SMS or email anywhere worldwide

GPS nav
Screenshot of the GPS app from my smart phone. Very good App (Alpine Quest)