Thanks all for the detailed response. Santa was nice to me, and I have been learning to use the soldering iron with much success.
Now to try to get everything to work together. The plan is to put it all in a Weather Balloon.
Greynomad I am near Gatton, just finished 2 years going around Australia myself (though not sure I could do 12), time to settle down as the kids start school. I will give Mouser a try, thanks.