Its ok preaching about the values of monitoring guard when you have mil spec radios that do it automatically. Even with our twin VHF fit, we are often flicking between boxes (fnarr fnarr!) to keep up with ATC. As mentioned earlier, you dont actually need ANY radio to fly in open FIR. When I can, I do, but that is a rare occurence. I would depend on a local ATC unit or London Information to pass the message.