Car Parts and Accessories

GPS: A GPS (Global Positioning System) is an extremely useful navigational tool which can be used in conjunction with a map to programme your entire route. If you use 1:50 000 maps for accurate measurements, you will never get lost or be uncertain of your location again. A GPS also improves safety in that, if someone falls ill or some other problem occurs, you can radio an aeroplane or helicopter for assistance and they will be able to pinpoint your exact position using their own GPS.

The GPS unit is easily mounted in vehicles (have the work done by a professional, though) and is quick to take out and store.

A long-distance, high-frequency radiotelephone is a very useful communications device. It once helped me in the Marienfluss Valley on the Angolan border — far away from civilisation — when the chassis broke on one of the vehicles in our convoy. Within 24 hours, we were able to re-assemble the chassis by notifying the relevant people, who flew in the necessary parts.

A radiotelephone is also great for reaching your family or friends to give them a report on your progress, or to ask advice from a doctor. Furthermore, it is useful to listen in to hear who may be bogged down by flooding rivers so that you can avoid dangerous areas.

This device is costly, and you will also need to obtain the licences necessary for the particular countries through which you intend to travel. In addition, you will have to install extra crystals for those countries that use different frequencies.

Some high-frequency sets have a range of up to 1 000 kilometres in good conditions.

However, a radiotelephone is of no use if you don’t know whom to contact and what procedures to follow. Most post offices have a central control station which could hook you up with telephone lines.

If this facility is unavailable, you will have to tune in to the frequencies of ambulance and other backup services in the event of an emergency or breakdown.

The negative side of a radiotelephone is that, during the summer months, it will pick up any lightning that occurs within a 1 000-kilometre radius. The resulting static will make any conversation very difficult, if not impossible.

A satellite-linked telephone represents the ultimate in modern communications devices, but it is extremely expensive. This device has built-in antennae and a GPS. Once pointed in the right direction, you can speak to someone, without interference, from anywhere in the world. You can even send faxes or e-mail using this service.

If you are travelling in a group, I would strongly advise that you install short-distance FM mobile radios for communicating between vehicles. CB radios do not serve this purpose well as they are not robust enough. It is better to use purpose-built sets that can be used in any terrain.

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