Fujo 3 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 I was told there is no Spark cell site on the island so no reception anywhere in Fitzroy. Phones start to work out of Man of War Passage. The other problem for me was channel 19 and 20 were very scratchy and difficult to understand, so no long term 'look ahead'. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
raz88 96 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 I was told there is no Spark cell site on the island so no reception anywhere in Fitzroy. Phones start to work out of Man of War Passage. The other problem for me was channel 19 and 20 were very scratchy and difficult to understand, so no long term 'look ahead'. Yep we could only get channel 19/20 to work outside man o war passage. I was told there is a Telecom cell tower elsewhere on the island but it doesn't cover Fitzroy. Didn't go elsewhere to confirm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Terry B 71 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Hi, there is a weather/boatie vhf channel that is Gt Barrier specific - I can't remember what the channel is but it's a very low number on the dial. It only operates a cuppla times a day for a short period each time. So you need to set your (vodafone powered) phone alarm to those times. It's a volunteer site. Ask a Barrier local - or 1 of the CREW.ORG members will know more? The channel is a pay site (I think that's still the case?) - you're supposed to contribute an amount to Barrier Radio when you use the service. Voluntary - but you should (in my opinion) do it. Re Vodafone - I'm telecom, I bought a $20 SIM card from vodafone before I went to Barrier last time. Told the important people in my life what the new number was so that they could call that when the telecom number didn't work. Pretty simple - just gotta remember to buy it before leaving the home dock................ Be safe out there............. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brien 22 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Gt Barrier Radio channel 1 vhf. This is a private radio operated by Emmy and has coverage over most of the island. Annual subscription $90.00 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 243 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Spark does / did? have a cell tower on Kaikoura island, "but" it needs Diesel to run it, in previous years they have filled the fuel tank and ran it from Xmas until the tank runs dry. Not to be used again until the following Xmas. They have good reception down in Tryphena, just not in Fitzroy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
raz88 96 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Spark does / did? have a cell tower on Kaikoura island, "but" it needs Diesel to run it, in previous years they have filled the fuel tank and ran it from Xmas until the tank runs dry. Not to be used again until the following Xmas. They have good reception down in Tryphena, just not in Fitzroy. we were around Fitzroy from 21 Dec to 1 jan. We had no spark reception during this time. Might be a thing of the past? Or someone couldn't be bothered filling the diesel thank? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 243 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 It was working last year until about the (I think) 2nd or 3rd of jan. They probably didn't bother this year as everyone I know has gone to vodafone Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fogg 427 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Which is why I installed a vodafone rural network booster / WiFi on Aleana to get data at Barrier and other patchy favourite spots like BOI. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ex Machina 365 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Anchored at hooks bay and it’s decidedly spooky seeing boats sailing out of the gloom from te kouma thru man o war passage . Feels almost apocalyptic out here Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Terry B 71 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Yep, very weird - the street lights came on in Omaha at 5pm tonight! yellow red haze everywhere up here. Still, at least we know what it is! Woulda been scary to see it 200 years ago............. eerie.......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erice 732 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 2500km away some carry the australian political system seems completely out of its depth in dealing with it hopefully that'll start to change this year Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 59 Posted January 5, 2020 Author Share Posted January 5, 2020 Weather from Wednesday on wards looking quite different to what we have had so far....(PredictWind). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chariot 243 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Metvuw not looking too bad either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 399 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Left for North on Boxing day and nothing but glam weather in the Bay till I had to come home saturday -definitely less wind than you have had down here. Now got to contemplate bringing her home next weekend (with broken ribs). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 59 Posted January 5, 2020 Author Share Posted January 5, 2020 Left for North on Boxing day and nothing but glam weather in the Bay till I had to come home saturday -definitely less wind than you have had down here. Now got to contemplate bringing her home next weekend (with broken ribs). You get into another bar fight? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Above-the-Fold 15 Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 That's a bummer, all right. Might have to take a paper book or two when we go out later. That said, there was only very limited Spark at Urupukapuka Bay yesterday. Lots of holes in the coverage, I guess. > Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rangi1 51 Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 Which is why I installed a vodafone rural network booster / WiFi on Aleana to get data at Barrier and other patchy favourite spots like BOI. Aleana - would you have a link to the booster you purchased, and let me know what you think of the performance please? It sounds like just the thing I need. Thanks Rangi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fogg 427 Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 https://wirelessnation.co.nz/coastguard/ Unfortunately since installing it in early Dec I’ve not had a chance to use the boat so can’t yet report back on performance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rangi1 51 Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 Thanks - I like the option to only pay when you need to (if you are organised enough to give the 30 days notice) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 59 Posted January 7, 2020 Author Share Posted January 7, 2020 Looks like that SW is going to give us a break for a few days (even if only to ease) so Barrier it is this weekend. Anyone else going? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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