Hi All [Archive] - Living In Indonesia Expat Forum

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jfm001

30-06-09, 07:33

atlantis

30-06-09, 07:48

Hi. Welcome to the forum :)
Electrical/electronic stuff are beyond my knowledge. I often make a panicked loud call to my wife when an electrical appliance refuses to work in the house. She then usually comes, smiles at me, and 3 out of 4 times just plugs the stuff... and it works. I am always amazed and proud at my wife technical abilities. :)
This being said, you'd have understood that I am hopeless for the matter. :(

Mas Fred

30-06-09, 08:03

Hi and welcome.
Bring any 'open' cellphone and you can pop a local sim card in it.
PAL B/G for the tv from memory at 220V AC if you are going to bring your own TV but it may be easier to buy a local one.
If you are from the UK watch out as SCART isn't used here.

waarmstrong

30-06-09, 10:22

Hi All
I'll be moving to Jakarta in a few weeks, having just accepted a job offer there. I've been perusing this forum for a while and it has been very helpful. Many thanks to all the contributors thus far. I do have a few technical questions if anyone can help concerning cell phones, NTSC/PAL and 220 V power (all new things to me)

thanks
J

I am assuming you are coming from a 110 volt country, such as the USA.

Most high-end international cell phone versions, if "unlocked," can be used with any GSM network service provider and most incorporate quad-band connectivity (850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz) so the can be used worldwide. If you want to use 3G, keep in mind that US phones are on the 850/1900 frequencies while in Europe and Asia 900/2100 are used. As Fred mentioned, buy a SIM card for usage with the local service provider you decide to go with and you should be in business. Still, to be on the safe side, check out the connectivity specs on you phone to assure it is quad-band and get it unlocked if it is not already.

As for 110 versus 220 volt electrical systems, many if not most, electronics that employ a step down transformer (computers, cell phone chargers, etc) come with transformers that can handle both voltages. Again check out your transformers to be on the safe side; they will list the voltage ranges on the case. I suggest you buy new small appliances -- hair dryer, coffee maker, etc. -- after you arrive. If you wish to bring something such as a TV or DVD player, as far as power input, you can purchase an external transformer so the 220 system here will not fry your US 110 volt equipment. (My wife uses one for her Viking 110 volt sewing machine.)

Sorry, I don't know enough about DVD/TV standards to help on the NTSC/PAL thing. We bought our DVD & TV here in Jakarta.

Don't be offended, but the next time you ask a question, it would be helpful if you provided a bit more background information so those of us with time to answer can zero in on specifically what might provide an answer.

jfm001

30-06-09, 18:21

Hi guys,
thanks for all the great responses !!! .
I am coming from the Caribbean actually, but we are based on US electronics (except we drive on the left side of the road). I guessed because of size and weight lugging a TV halfway around the world does not make sense. However with the incompatibility of NTSC / PAL I guess it wont make sense to bring my xbox either, or the games since they are listed as NTSC only. What about the radio broadcast frequencies ? Are they in the US range (was wondering if I should bring my wave radio).
I've been looking at a few of the electronics stores online through addresses that people have published, and prices seem to be close to prices in the US, can these prices be expected for electronics (I was under the impression that electronics are cheaper in Indonesia)
Is anyone an avid fisherman or diver ? I'm looking for some advice there too

thanks for all the help !!!!

twinkle85

01-07-09, 00:14

I just wanted to say hello! :)

atlantis

01-07-09, 06:04

Is anyone an avid fisherman or diver ? I'm looking for some advice there too
Tho' I am not able to advise for electricty stuff I may be able to help for the latter as long as it is in the field of recreational or technical diving and not spear fishing with scuba diving techniques.:)

jfm001

01-07-09, 06:20

I just wanted to say hello! :)
Hi,
you seem to be as excited as I am to move to Indonesia !!

Mas Fred

01-07-09, 06:21

I guess it wont make sense to bring my xbox either, or the games since they are listed as NTSC only. What about the radio broadcast frequencies ? Are they in the US range (was wondering if I should bring my wave radio).

thanks for all the help !!!!

In my position as a "sad old sod" I'm sorry I can't offer comment on new fangled stuff like an X box but I am interested in the radio.
By "wave radio" are we talking about a Bose wave radio that would be useless if fixed at 110v or a short wave radio. Many of the latter that we had in the UK were designed for the international market and were switchable 110/240v.

I know they are available in this country but a lot more limited than in developed counties like the UK and US.

jfm001

01-07-09, 06:22

Tho' I am not able to advise for electricty stuff I may be able to help for the latter as long as it is in the field of recreational or technical diving and not spear fishing with scuba diving techniques.:)

I see there are a lot of great diving spots, is gear easily available ?

jfm001

01-07-09, 06:26

In my position as a "sad old sod" I'm sorry I can't offer comment on new fangled stuff like an X box but I am interested in the radio.
By "wave radio" are we talking about a Bose wave radio that would be useless if fixed at 110v or a short wave radio. Many of the latter that we had in the UK were designed for the international market and were switchable 110/240v.

I know they are available in this country but a lot more limited than in developed counties like the UK and US.

Yes it is a Bose, my concern (in addition to the power) was for the range of frequencies in the FM grange. I know Japan operates on frequencies lower than 88, does Indonesia as well ?

atlantis

01-07-09, 06:32

I see there are a lot of great diving spots, is gear easily available ?
Fairly easily in the touristic places. For rent or to buy. Jakarta, Bali or Manado for example have a few shops selling any brand you wish (tho' for Manado, you will be stuck with Mares and/or another couple of Italian brands) . When it comes to rental, one should double-check everything, including tanks. You may come accross the real good gears, new or vry well maintained, or the one you definitively don't wanna dive with.
I am living in northern Sulawesi where some of the finest diving in Indonesia are to found. My wife rents equipment to a couple of dive-shops around, for them to do business with, and though I do not dive myself that much anymore I still enjoy to do some explorating dives in some remote and undived part of Sulawesi. In this kind of places, if you don't have your own gear including tanks, boat and compressor, there is no way to get wet. :)

Mas Fred

01-07-09, 14:33

Yes it is a Bose, my concern (in addition to the power) was for the range of frequencies in the FM grange. I know Japan operates on frequencies lower than 88, does Indonesia as well ?

Nice radio. If yours has dual voltage you will be able to use it here.
The UK model is fixed at 240v. There will be a little switch on the back if it's switchable.
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/contact/index.jsp
You should be able to ask them.

littleiyut

01-07-09, 14:51

Welcome to the forum Jfm. Hope you will enjoy Indonesia and good luck with the moving.

jfm001

02-07-09, 10:14

Welcome to the forum Jfm. Hope you will enjoy Indonesia and good luck with the moving.

Thanks !!! I hope so too, moving is a pain though, its amazing how much junk one accumulates over time

jfm001

02-07-09, 10:16

Nice radio. If yours has dual voltage you will be able to use it here.
The UK model is fixed at 240v. There will be a little switch on the back if it's switchable.
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/contact/index.jsp
You should be able to ask them.

Thanks !!, This little radio sounds great for the size, unfortunately I just checked and there is no switch for 110/220. I guess it's a US market item. The decision now is do I lug an extra 20 lbs halfway around the planet. Does anyone know what one of these go for locally ?

Bali-que

04-07-09, 18:29