I use the Telstra mobile network and have always had good (not perfect) 4G coverage from the south of Tasmania to the north of NSW and across to Adelaide at VFR levels. 5G will be a game changer and fantastic for GA.
you must be flying low level 8n the J curve. Mobile phones is not a serious option.
And anyone who thinks ADS-B is an SAR tool has been drinking the same kool-aide as AsA.
Where do you need ADSB for useful SAR coverage? Under 5,000 ft and typically at circuit levels. Where don’t we have any significant ADSB coverage outside the capital CTA’s ? Under 5,000 ft.
The cost burd3n of ADS-B has never been the transponder cost. It’s been the CASA imposed engineering order costs ( which the US waived), the cost of adding WAAS GPS, the cost of a new grey code altitude transponder and the cost of rewiring and replacing the GPS antennae.
If CASA was serious about making ADS-B it would waive the requirement for engineering orders,