which HF network

[rar110]

Gday all

I am about to fit a Barrett HF radio to the 110. So I need to join a HF network. There seem to be a few more network players since previous posts on the topic.

The main reason for the HF is safety - RFDS contact. However, it would be fun to be able to use the telephone while away.

Any recommendation would be appreciated?

thanks

[123rover50]

I have the Barrett 950 fitted and am with VKS-737.
Mobile 1975.
No particular reason but at the time good service etc.
Be interesting to hear what others are doing now.

[Bush65]

When Telstra pulled the dedicated phone lines for the RFDS HF network, VKS737 stepped in and took over handling this.

I don't think this affects contacting the RFDS, if you use another network. After all it would be in an emergency. But it is something to consider, and you will need the appropriate frequencies.

[The ho har's]

We think VKS737 is overpriced for what they offer. We did not renew as we only travel remotely every few years, there selling point is keeping you number, not over worried about that.

'The bush telegraph' on the other hand has a much more reasonable rate for the year and if you are stuck then VKS737 are obliged to help you;)

Mrs hh:angel:

[87County]

'...... and if you are stuck then VKS737 are obliged to help you;)

Mrs hh:angel:


And that is not a good enough reason to support them? :)

[rar110]

I find all their websites confusing.

[Kevin B]

Go and get Your Ham Radio licence, there is more frequencies and ppl there than the 4x4 network can ever....

[shane_vor]

I second Kevin B's post.

I had purchased a Codan and installed it THEN started looking at networks while I monitored their transmissions.

In then end I sold the codan and purchased an amateur radio and obtained the licence for same. I have to agree that the amateur licence allows much more frequency agility.

Anyone who hears a distress or urgent transmission is obliged to respond. So they should. If someone responded to one I made I'd be making sure something was sent to them in appreciation! So I suppose on that basis you don't really need to join a network...unless you wish to use the telephone connect service. But I go away to get AWAY from phones!

Cost? The equipment cost of amateur gear is similar to land mobile stuff, if not a little cheaper (I still can't believe the price of some older land mobiles!!!). The initial course and licence cost for ham radio is a bit more than network access fees but the annual cost is a bit lower, plus I suppose it is a bit of a pain to organise assessments and that sort of thing...

[mfc]

bush telegraphs licence lets you use the hf radio club sceds /frequancys as well as chat with them vks dose not eccept in an emergency
$35 a year .
We had both,and used vks 737 for the majority of the trip as well as there radio telephone service , the beauty of vks 737 is that you can always sellcall a base operator, best word youre mates up on hf tellcalls before...
regards mark

[Kevin B]

I second Kevin B's post.

I had purchased a Codan and installed it THEN started looking at networks while I monitored their transmissions.

In then end I sold the codan and purchased an amateur radio and obtained the licence for same. I have to agree that the amateur licence allows much more frequency agility.

Anyone who hears a distress or urgent transmission is obliged to respond. So they should. If someone responded to one I made I'd be making sure something was sent to them in appreciation! So I suppose on that basis you don't really need to join a network...unless you wish to use the telephone connect service. But I go away to get AWAY from phones!

Cost? The equipment cost of amateur gear is similar to land mobile stuff, if not a little cheaper (I still can't believe the price of some older land mobiles!!!). The initial course and licence cost for ham radio is a bit more than network access fees but the annual cost is a bit lower, plus I suppose it is a bit of a pain to organise assessments and that sort of thing...

Its not that much of a pain, im a registered Ham radio assessor and my club runs assessments quiet often,...

[rar110]

I might go the ham license when I get more familiar with HF radio. For the moment I am a compete HF numpty. I should probably try to do a course through one of the local ham HF radio clubs (there's one at Capalaba).

For a very basic comparison I've done the following:


VKS737 – Australian HF Radio Network
HF cost $120 /yr +
Phone facility $13 + cost of calls
Seems to provide everything
VKS737: The Australian HF Radio & Radio-Telephone Network ! (http://www.vks737.on.net)


HF radio Network (HF Oz)
Various packages
HF cost $65/ yr – vehicle to vehicle communication only.
HF cost $99/yr – above + base logging
HFoZ - Base Sites (http://www.hfoz.com.au/)


Radtel
Phone facility - $110/yr + call charges
Focus is HF telephone use, no vehicle to vehicle transmission or emergency assistance (this provided by HF Oz). Emergency assist through HF Oz is $55/yr.
Radtel, HF Radio Network (http://www.radtelnetwork.com.au)


Reids Radio Data (Bush Telegraph)
Cost $33/yr for basic vehicle to vehicle and to base
HF + phone facility $126.50 + cost of calls
Welcome to Reids Radiodata HF Network (http://www.reidsradiodata.com.au)


HF Radio Club Inc
HF cost: joining fee $20, annual fee $70 (pro-rata reduced depending on when you join)
Phone facility $20 phone package which includes 3 hours /mth of telephone calls.
Seems to provide basic HF vehicle to vehicle/base communication, with assistance as required.
HF Radio Club - HF Radio Network - Radio Telephone Calls - Radio to SMS and Radio GPS Tracking (http://www.hfradioclub.com.au/)

I'm leaning toward the HF Radio Club for this trip.

[Tusker]

The beauty of HF in an emergency situation is that others are listening. There might be someone just over the proverbial next dune who can help. And there's invariably someone on channel who can relay transmissions when reception is bad.

So on that basis, I'd stick with the biggest.

Regards
Max P

[Kevin B]

Hi All

With Ham Radio there are 3 Classes of Licence Foundation (entry Level) Standard (middle level) and Advanced (full Level), a foundation being the entry level will give you access to a wide variety of Frequencies from 3.5Mz all the way up to 450Mhz there are some limitations to it like the amount of power you can use but that generally a minor detail if you have an efficient setup in your vehicle, i would say the most commonly used band for a foundation licence holder would be the 7Mhz 144-148mhz and the 450mhz Range (yes you can buy a Radio that will do all of these if fact a radio that cover the whole amateur Spectrum from 1.8mhz to 30mhz with the exception of the microwave part for around $1100, its a bit difficult here to go into the Whole facet of it but suffice to say there are literally thousands more frequencies that the 4x4 network and your will always find someone to talk to, the main advantage being they are not just in one spot.

lets give an example, your out in the boonies with you 4x4 network radio and you get into trouble, so you put in a call for help, the nearest base in "AUSTRALIA" cannot hear you for what ever reason be it position or atmospheric, so you change to another Channel same this (keeping in mind that the 4x4 network is a series of SET frequencies once on that channel you cannot free tune either side of that, so if there is interference on that part of the band that day you are stuffed, now the advantage of Ham radio over this is if there is interference then you can free tune up and down till you find a spot that is clear (its not going to be perfect don’t get me wrong) put out a call and chances are you WILL get a response there is always Someone Listening and if you Don’t get an Aussie Station you will get one from overseas, HAM radio is a Global hobby and English is the Primary Language Spoken so you will have very limited issues communicating, now the Global Emergency call is basically the same as Aircraft if you require assistance but it in NOT necessarily Life threatening then you call PAN PAN 3 times once any Ham operator hears this They WILL IMMEDIATELY answer the call and relay any message you may have to the relevant Services (there is a Number that all HAMS should have in there Radio room which is to the local SAR) if it is LIFE THREATENING the you call MAYDAY 3 times same thing, the beauty of this is that no matter the timer of day there is always someone in the world on HAM Radio so if you find a Frequency with someone having a Conversation just Key up and Call the above they once heard they WILL stop and call the channel to quiet while they answer your call and provide the necessary Assistance, the beauty of this is that if one person cant here you then as there may be multiple ppl on the channel in a conversation someone will be able to hear you and relay your message.

There is ever GPS Tracking via HF if that’s your thing so your family at home can see where you are at all times while away as your position is projected onto a map LIVE on the web, this however is not available for entry level

The disadvantage of HF comms is it is VERY ineffective at close range so if you’re trying to contact someone a km or 2 away, in most cases you would have better luck throwing a rock at a 747 flying over but that’s why all 4x4 Tourers should have at least a UHF CB in there vehicle for close Communications with other NON Hams that may be able to help you.

Once the initial Course and Exam fees are paid the licence fee is $72 per annum that’s it then of course you buy your equipment which varies in price...

This is a VERY Broad overview and im sure there are Hams here on this Forum that will Read this and point out that i have left something out, thats ok there is so many Facets to the Hobby its hard to put them all in one post.

Kevin

[rar110]

The beauty of HF in an emergency situation is that others are listening. There might be someone just over the proverbial next dune who can help. And there's invariably someone on channel who can relay transmissions when reception is bad.

So on that basis, I'd stick with the biggest.

Regards
Max P

Good point.

In my case not so important this trip as will be travelling with other vehicles.

[rar110]

Thanks Kevin for the detailed reply.

[mfc]

I might go the ham license when I get more familiar with HF radio. For the moment I am a compete HF numpty. I should probably try to do a course through one of the local ham HF radio clubs (there's one at Capalaba).

For a very basic comparison I've done the following:


VKS737 – Australian HF Radio Network
HF cost $120 /yr +
Phone facility $13 + cost of calls
Seems to provide everything
VKS737: The Australian HF Radio & Radio-Telephone Network ! (http://www.vks737.on.net)


HF radio Network (HF Oz)
Various packages
HF cost $65/ yr – vehicle to vehicle communication only.
HF cost $99/yr – above + base logging
HFoZ - Base Sites (http://www.hfoz.com.au/)


Radtel
Phone facility - $110/yr + call charges
Focus is HF telephone use, no vehicle to vehicle transmission or emergency assistance (this provided by HF Oz). Emergency assist through HF Oz is $55/yr.
Radtel, HF Radio Network (http://www.radtelnetwork.com.au)


Reids Radio Data (Bush Telegraph)
Cost $33/yr for basic vehicle to vehicle and to base
HF + phone facility $126.50 + cost of calls
Welcome to Reids Radiodata HF Network (http://www.reidsradiodata.com.au)


HF Radio Club Inc
HF cost: joining fee $20, annual fee $70 (pro-rata reduced depending on when you join)
Phone facility $20 phone package which includes 3 hours /mth of telephone calls.
Seems to provide basic HF vehicle to vehicle/base communication, with assistance as required.
HF Radio Club - HF Radio Network - Radio Telephone Calls - Radio to SMS and Radio GPS Tracking (http://www.hfradioclub.com.au/)

I'm leaning toward the HF Radio Club for this trip.

one other thing... reids base service also allows you to use hf radio club frequencys and sceds, i did/do the reids vks thing the hf radio club was very quite in the west a and the teritory , vks offers the better coverage once of the east coast. there tell service operates on a set month fee $13 plus you put an 80 buck credit to cover calls {that lasted us 4 months}
hf radio club is a very frendly group and less formal but youre more likley to hear members of a certain age traveling the nomad trail{highways} rather than crossing the connie sue hwy
regards mark
ps listen to the sceds itll give you a good idea of what there like...