Bushwalk Australia

I remember seeing in nz some ads for portable mountain radios. Has anyone hired/ operated these? Does anyone have Any details about these units regarding purchase costs, radio specs, etc?
Are there different models or is it just a standard radio operated by some local government body?

In the mountain huts at Mt Cook DOCS operate a radio weather forecast service where you can also call in for chopper transport, but a portable one of these would be great.

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I reckon here would be a good place to start. I think the portable ones were HF radios.

http://www.mountainradio.co.nz/history.html

My recent experience is that the NZ mountain radio system is run by DOC who jealously safeguard the frequencies, to avoid disruption to their emergency communications from trampers. So even with a radio, you won't be able to use it without insider knowledge to the frequencies.

No amount of arm twisting would get them to reveal the frequencies.

last time i used one was a few years back,
i didnt obtain it, not sure how much it cost to rent. it was a crude system, two channels. uses a dipole thin wire antenna, reception depends largely on how well you errect the antenna as much as your location.
can't recall the weight, would be between a kilo or two, as long as you make a decent attempt putting the antenna up you should get reception unless your in a tight gorge then it's anyones guess.... theres a sched for the weather, dont recall there being one in the morning, only at night.