duncan_barbour

Hi Simon, good to see you are getting the ball rolling again. See you on Friday at the Rose and Crown. Cheers Duncan.

Hi Phil, The company we got the throatmikes from was Talking Headsets. The throat mike was basically like this one but without the PTT button incorporated.... http://www.talkingheadsets.co.uk/swatco ... ed_ptt.php Still had to use cables as I was assessing and testing kit for suitability in the low temperatures but we were looking at setting up wireless systems to link to VHF radios, phones and helmets. I have a couple of sets down south I could have sent to you if you want to see what you think. They are wired I am afraid to D type earpiece and PTT button and plugs at the moment suit Icom VHF hand helds but i am sure you could get an adaptor made. Drop me a PM with your address and I'll get my comms supplier to stick them in the post to you. Cheers Duncan

Hi Phil, I have had some experience of throat mikes. I tested them for suitability on a snowmobile expedition I was organising last year and the audio quality was chrystal clear, even with the sound of a snowmobile. ( we were using very noisy 2 strokes) I needed VHF radio comms between support riders and teams on the expedition from both handheld radios and mobile radios hard mounted on the support snowmobiles. They are very noisy bits of kit and initially I specified motorcycle helmet comms kits but they weren't great and the microphones kept freezing up even tucked in the chin guard of a full face helmet. The earphones were of the D type which clipped over your ear but they weren't very comfortable under a helmet so the next step was earbuds. Still had wires though although I did have discussions about creating wireless links for the support drivers with my comms guy. My comms equipment supplier sourced the kit for me, but i dont have info on it to hand. I will get some details on the gear and come back to you. Cheers Duncan

Thanks Chris for reaffirming the thoughts on that. Actually looking at my previous post I have got mixed up with months by saying departure of 28 June when I meant 28 July. That possibly gives us even more leeway to work with if the weather is OK in the Melbourne area at that time of year. Glad to hear Scotland is prettier than Melbourne.....a lot colder at the moment though.. Cheers Duncan

Hi Norman, Since we last spoke I have been doing some more research into the best time of year for the trip. It is of course going to be a compromise between what is best for flying and what is best for travelling/operating on the ground but as mentioned at the meeting we have to be able to get around at ground level to be able to support the lads in the air which is why I felt after the rains was not the best choice timewise. This is info you probably have already but at least it will back it up I guess. Melbourne during winter can be wet and chilly I believe, can be a bit miserable and is famous for having four seasons in 1 day at any time of year so its probably less predictable than the rest of the route...sounds just like Scotland.. However its not long from leaving Melbourne from a driving perspective before you get to the dry country so its probably best to look at what works best for that area and especially in the north to suit the expedition. September October is the humid time up north which is the build up to the rains in November so I would say we would want to be hitting that area as in completing the expedition at the end of August, very beginning of September latest if it suits for flying conditions. That would give us a resonably cool weather in the central desert area. So for arguments sake if we said finish at the end of the first week of September as our latest date allowing 6 weeks for the expedition would give a departure date of 28 June which potentially still gives us 3 or even 4 weeks of June to play with which may still work weather permitting if its not being too Scottish like!!! I think the further the start date can be moved back the less likely we are to encounter wet weather in the north as well as hot/humid temps for flying. The last thing that the expedition would need would be to cut the finish date fine with regard to as late as possible and then find that the rains have arrived earlier than predicted. I have experienced that before on an expedition and it created all sorts of problems!! Obviously the OZ Met office will have lots of info on this and we also need to get some thoughts from the locals especially in the north. Whilst we need to get around on the ground the guys still need to fly too so its not just about driving conditions....personally I like a bit of rain to give me some challenging driving conditions and rivers to cross but I know thats not good news for flying. At least we are thinking along the same lines... Cheers Duncan

Thought you would be more of a Swag Bag man Simon than the full monty bivi....... Had this company on the list of potential people to approach as an expedition sponsor. Why buy when you can blag....hopefully. Duncan

Hi Simon, As mentioned in my post in another area and our recent telcon, unfortunatly I will not be able to make the meeting on the 14th November as I will be away. Hope you have a good one and speak soon. Please post details as soon as you have them regarding your follow up meeting to the November one. All the best. Duncan

Hi Simon, It was good speaking to you the other day and thanks for taking time to explain a bit more about your proposed expedition to me and what has been set up so far. As we discussed there is a long way to go with a lot of logistical work to be done and as with all these types of project it is something that evolves all the time. This will be no small undertaking and sounds like a great project to involved in. Obviously you are in the pre production stages of the expedition and as yet nothing is set in concrete or confirmed but it sounds like a very challenging and exciting project. As mentioned I was unable to make your first meeting as I was away in Spain on a Paramotor course there and then straight off to Oman on work commitment. Unfortunately I will be unable to make the next meeting which I believe is on the 14th November as I am back to Oman again but just want to say that I am interested in the expedition and feel I may have some skills that I can bring to the table that would be of use to you and your team. Obviously missing these meetings is not a good start in showing an interest in the project but work is work as I am sure you will understand. I will keep an eye on the site for details of up and coming meetings and hopefully will be able to make the one of them so I can meet you and your team personally and discuss this expedition further. Until then all the best with the project as it progresses. Cheers Duncan barbour

Hi Simon, I am new to the forum and very interested to see your section on the above project that you are setting up. I am just starting out in this paramotoring sport at the moment so can't offer a lot with regard to that element of the expedition. However ground logistics in remote locations supported by 4x4 vehicles is something that I do know about. This along with event and expedition organisation is something that I do as well as working in the film industry. I would be interested in discussing your project with you....... Strange creatures, big wild boars, limited roads in a huge wilderness area sounds great to me. The remoter the better....gets you away from all the crowds doesn't it. A bit of a Camel Trophy experiance I would say. Yes this is a huge undertaking and will require very detailed planning and logistics set in place, but that is expeditioning and you have to be self contained, prepared, think worst case scenario and build the right team about you. Let me know if you want to have a chat. Sounds like it could be a lot of fun as well a major achievment and a challenge. Regards Duncan