Communications:

K4 had a compak and two VHF radios. We suffered less from the poor ionospheric conditions and high noise level on the Scott Base receiver than other field parties, and were often called upon to relay messages. This rapidly exhausted the batteries of Otway's party, and they were incommunicado for about a week. Our party took more batteries and also a solar panel and American radio. The latter performed disappointingly, but the solar panel (with a 50 ohm resistor in series to limit the current) proved invaluable for recharging the 10 volt VHF batteries. Voltage had to be constantly monitored to prevent overcharging, and for safety an automatic regulator would be essential.

The VHF radios were invaluable for communication with Andrew Harrall in the science lab at Scott Base, and also between Erebus Hut and the E-M survey page 33 party on the summit plateau. The latter circuit worked over only that quarter of the plateau area visible from the hut. A portable repeater is needed for a complete E-M survey.