I realise this is significantly off topic but...
Mobile is currently with Vodafone. Vodafone doesn't have coverage @ Pt Denison/Dongara so i'm without ph during Kitestock. Some may say that's a blessing i know.
Other than a week in Dongara for Kitestock i've been up there for other periods without a useable phone.
Can any Optus users tell me if they have coverage in Pt Denison/Dongara please? (2G is fine).
also, if Optus has coverage in Denham (Shark Bay) it would be good to know also.
thanks..
Juddy
(and yes, i've looked @ their coverage maps (really useless), i've rung them but the Optus rep i spoke to was about as helpful as tits on a bull)
I use three so unless there is a major shopping centre nearby i'm ****ed.
Go Telstra Next G they have coverage all over.
Telstra fkd me once before with problems & bills for calls i didn't make. Never again...
Looks like it might be smoke signals instead....
The dongarites I know use 3G and IMO the best coverage outside the urban patch though I understand the smoke signals are popular up that way.
Having said that I'll resist the temptation to start telstra bashing session
Hi Juddy,
I'm with 3 same as PR. Last coverage up north is Carnarvon so I'm screwed in Exmouth, Gnaraloo, Coral Bay etc. In other words for peeps wanting to call me in Exmouth ..... tough! Sorry!
Dunno about Pt Denison, but from memory I had no coverage there with 3 although get good coverage in Gero.
I hate Telstra with a passion and will gladly use smoke signals rather than go back to those ba$tard$. Feck I hate Telstra 
[}:)]
Good winds,
3 is no good at Dongara. And pretty much everywhere else outside a major area.
At Kitestock a mate just bought a telstra prepaid sim and used that for the duration. Gotta have an unlocked phone if you're with another carrier tho...
Simon
Yes, the phone thing can be an issuee up north here. We have a reliable cross-country running system. They send two runners just in case one is shot by the Mingenew clan or Greenough raiding parties en route. Inter-marrying is starting to alleviate some of the border disputes nowadays and runners who don't make it is a rarety. The runners take slightly alternate ways and usually arrive within five minutes of each other. The message is run to the GPO and then sent via the necessary technological means.
Dongera has a proud history of running and their fees are quite nominal, items of clothing sometimes suffice as payment. Don't dress like your'e from Perth and the try to find a local to barter for you. Prices below are a general guide:
text: 2 sheep or 1 young calf for each reply (runner awaits the reply before returning)
fax: 1 goat or two sheep
Ok, so what i've worked out so far is:
1) it seems that there are a lot of p'd off, former Telstra customers out there...who just happen to kite as well.
2) smoke signals are popular with city folks, but prob not so popular with Volunteer Firies..
3) burning sheep & cows in Dongara...(a.k.a sheep or cow on a spit) sounds like that might be a dinner plan for Kitestock '09
I don't suppose anybody's relying on a mobile in Denham then...???
thanks all for your input.
I must be the black sheep .. I use NextG via Telstra and it rocks, and they've not screwed me (yet). They have been sending me a $16.57 invoice credit for 3 years (no kidding), and after finally noticing, they sent a cheque just last week.
Just last week at Graveyards in Exmouth, I could easily stir crew stuck in Perth by sending beach photos directly from my phone. 
(No goat or sheep required)
Gotta say though, having phone coverage in such a remote spot does take that great feeling of "remoteness" off it.
I'm with ya Laurie, bring on the goat and sheep option. I LOVE not having coverage.
(No goat or sheep required)
Hey Juddy,
Optus coverage in Pt Denison/Dongara is fine. My friends on 3 had to use my phone at the last kitestock.
Dan
Cheers for that Dan,
cross Dongara off the list..
SO HOW ABOUT DENHAM ANYONE?????
cheers
Juddy
