HF Radios and antennas - need advice please

[Homestar]

So, I need a bit of help here. I know almost nothing about radios, apart from how to use my UHF to talk to someone else in a group of vehicles. HF radio seems to be a whole different ball game.

I have a Barrett 550 HF radio that I will end up using at some stage. I know I need a licence, etc, but how to get the best out of this unit is a bit of a mystery to me. For a start - although a bit old, is this a reasonable unit? The bit of googling I did suggested it is still ok?

It has an antenna, but not like what I have seen on other HF setups. I have seen those big based antennas on most setups and mine doesn't have that. Maybe someone can fill me on on what they are and what an 'auto tune' antenna is, and if I need one, and what the 'tune' button on the radio does?

I know I need to subscibe to someone like VKS 737 or similar, but beyond that I'm a bit lost. I have no urgent need for any of this at the moment, as I'm not planning a trip in the short term, but I want to be up to speed by the time I next venture out where I may need it.

The unit seems to work ok with the play I had with it yesterday - just listening in on various channels but I'm not sure if I need to do anything with the antenna I have?

So, any information about the setup and use of an HF radio would be greatly appreciated. Start simple here please - this is a completly unknown world to me.

Cheers - Gav

[87County]

OK - starting simple :)

Take a look at VKS737: The Australian HF Radio & Radio-Telephone Network ! (http://www.vks737.on.net/) - once you join one of the providers you effectively become a joint licencee so there is no need to "get a licence". Sort of like joining an internet provider - gives you access to the system allowing you to transmit on a number of defined frequencies (which are probably in your radio).

There is a bit of jargon and protocol but it should be outlined on the website and it's mostly fairly simple.

If you have a tapped antenna (one with multi access points for the plug of a "wander wire") you don't need one of the large based aerials which are quite expensive. You manually change the frequency on the aerial to the one which you want to use. When the auto type is working correctly it "automatically" tunes to the frequency you are transmitting on.

Does your antenna have a base, and does it have any maker's name or model on it ?

Earthing the antenna base to the vehicle is quite important.

The power supply to the radio needs to be adequate - the power drain when actually transmitting is quite high.

[Homestar]

Ahh - the antenna makes a bit more sense now - it is tapped type, but I couldn't figure out how it worked, or which tap to use. I'll have a look at the base tonight and see what says. The power supply is good and solid - it runs through some huge cable straight from the battery through a fuse and to the unit - which is mounted right next to the battery box, so a short run.

I'll have a look through the VKS website now so my future questions will be a little more informed.

EDIT - Just had a google and I think my antenna looks very much like this - Barrett communications: 914 (http://www.barrettcommunications.com.au/914.html) which make sense as the radio is a Barrett unit. I didn't see any markings on mine for the frequencies, but I'll check tonight.

Cheers - Gav

[Tusker]

What vehicle are you going to use it on? The interference from EFI engines plays havoc. Just use it once camped.

We need more details of the aerial. Or a pic. It's important that the frequency on the aerial matches that of the unit. You either jump out & do it manually, or via the autotune with a button press. The manual items are more robust & more efficient.

These things have the wavelength of a football field, and are only about 1% efficient. So, they blast out at 100 watts.

It's worth reading up on how they work, bouncing off the ionosphere etc. " The higher the sun the higher the frequency"

The older units work just as well. Or better. They're more repairable too. Mine's older, its a Barrett 250.

And as suggested, poke around VKS 737. Or one of the competitors. They'll issue you with a callsign.

Have fun!

Regards
Max P

[Homestar]

It is set up in the back of the vehicle, so wouldn't/couldn't be used while moving.

Just been going through the VKS website - plenty of useful information, but one thing that I found was they make the times for thier daily radio skeds known only to members. While I can sort of understand that, it makes it hard for a newby like me to know when to listen in to see how it all works.

If it's not a closely guarded secret, can anyone tell me when the skeds are for the different frequencies?

I would like to listen in and see what it is all about...

Cheers - Gav

[87County]

sent you a pm...

[Homestar]

Thanks for the email:)

Now, I have some more detail on the antenna and a few questions. I think the antenna is a Barrett, but not sure of the model, as the current manual tap antenna on their website say it has 12 taps, but mine has 20...? It is 6' tall. Looks like this... There are no readable model numbers on the sticker at the bottom as it all has a coat of olive drab paint...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Sorry for the photo on its side, I couldn't fit it in otherwise.

Now for some questions on the markings. Some I think I can work out, but others I can't. From the bottom of the antenna, the taps are labeled like this...

The very bottom tap which is on its own by a fair way I am assuming is the fixed common point? It has 2 labels. One says '2020' and the other says 'WL-150'. The taps up from that read
RT12
VKS5
4980
RT13
5300/60
VKS1
RT22
6790/6845
RT14
7465
7899
VKS2
RT23
RT15
RT16/19
VKS3/RT2
RT24
VKS4
RT17/19/21/25

I am assuming that the VKS ones match the frequencies of the VKS channels? The 4 digit numbers are other frequencies? No idea what the RT ones are.

Can anyone confirm that the bottom tap if the fixed tap, or does it work different to that?

Cheers - Gav

[87County]

Thanks for the email:)

ow, I have some more detail on the antenna and a few questions. I think the antenna is a Barrett, but not sure of the model, as the current manual tap antenna on their website say it has 12 taps, but mine has 20...? It is 6' tall. Looks like this... There are no readable model numbers on the sticker at the bottom as it all has a coat of olive drab paint...

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=60731&d=1369040337

......

I am assuming that the VKS ones match the frequencies of the VKS channels? The 4 digit numbers are other frequencies? No idea what the RT ones are.

Can anyone confirm that the bottom tap if the fixed tap, or does it work different to that?

Yes , that's correct, fit one end of your wander wire to that and the other end to the upper tap that you want to use ..... mainly needed on transmit

[Basil135]

Now for some questions on the markings. Some I think I can work out, but others I can't. From the bottom of the antenna, the taps are labeled like this...

The very bottom tap which is on its own by a fair way I am assuming is the fixed common point? It has 2 labels. One says '2020' and the other says 'WL-150'.

2020 is an RFDS Channel

The taps up from that read
RT12
VKS5
4980 RFDS
RT13
5300/60 RFDS
VKS1
RT22
6790/6845 RFDS (I think)
RT14
7465 RFDS
7899 RFDS (I think)
VKS2
RT23
RT15
RT16/19
VKS3/RT2
RT24
VKS4
RT17/19/21/25

I am assuming that the VKS ones match the frequencies of the VKS channels? The 4 digit numbers are other frequencies? No idea what the RT ones are.

Can anyone confirm that the bottom tap if the fixed tap, or does it work different to that?

Cheers - Gav

Have a look above. Going by memory from a LOOOONNNNGGGGG time ago, when I built HF radios for Tracker Communications :D

The RFDS channels are good to listen into, especially if the School of the Air is operational. Do they still use HF??

The way we used to build them, the lower the frequency, ie: 2020, the lower the channel number, ie: chan 1. 4080 on chan 2 etc...

Disclaimer :D - this was back in the day when we used HAND CUT crystals in the radios. And they worked really bloody well. Adelaide to Brisbane no problems... ;)

[Homestar]

Have a look above. Going by memory from a LOOOONNNNGGGGG time ago, when I built HF radios for Tracker Communications :D

The RFDS channels are good to listen into, especially if the School of the Air is operational. Do they still use HF??

The way we used to build them, the lower the frequency, ie: 2020, the lower the channel number, ie: chan 1. 4080 on chan 2 etc...

Disclaimer :D - this was back in the day when we used HAND CUT crystals in the radios. And they worked really bloody well. Adelaide to Brisbane no problems... ;)

Any idea about the RT taps? Can't find anything that shows what frequency these are.

[towe0609]

Deleted my bad advice.....

[Basil135]

Cant help you with the RT taps. They don't make any sense to me.

Maybe shoot an email off to Barratt, and see what they can suggest.



Have a look here for the RFDS frequencies:

http://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/Communications/HF-and-UHF-Radio-Frequencies/

[RangieBit]

G'day Gav,

Sorry, a little late in getting to this thread. I think most of your questions have been answered previously. Arthur is definitely worth his weight there, among many others also.

The RT taps on your antenna refer to RadTel frequencies/channels. Have a look here (http://www.radtelnetwork.com.au/) for more info.

I have a Barrett 950 which is currently not in service since finding a spot for an autotune (let alone a multitap) is a bit of a challenge on an L322!

I would suggest that if you can afford it, get an autotune unit. The Barrett unit is a 910. There is a newer version, the 2019 which looks a lot like the familiar Codan 9350, but I'm not sure that newer one works with the older Barrett radios. That being said, I always carried a dipole antenna or a multitap as a backup anyway, should the autotune suffer issues (which it never did).

The 550 is capable of many more channels than can be fit on a multitap antenna. Besides which I always found it a pain to change the wander lead every time you wanted to change frequency. There is no ideal frequency/remote base combination for a given time of day or location so there is always a bit of experimentation involved, requiring a few transmission tests. This can be performed with a "beacon" call but we'll save that discussion for another time. There can be a lot of futzing about with the wander lead on a multitap during this process. BTW carry a spare wander lead (or two) as they have a habit of "wandering" off!!

An autotune unit is much more convenient when trying to get good communication with a base station (or another mobile unit). This is where that "tune" button on your set comes in handy. Without getting too technical this button produces a "test" carrier so the autotune unit can find the best setting for that frequency. This may initially takes a few seconds. Once setup or "tuned" for a given frequency/channel the autotune unit should tune in a fraction of a second whenever that frequency/channel is next used as there are memories for the settings.

Anyway I think that's about it but let us know if there still any question outstanding.

Cheers,
Iain

[Bushie]

There's a chance the RT taps are Radtel channels.
Radtel 24 is 12211.5khz and VKS4 is 14977khz so seems the right order in the tappings.

Beaten to it. :)


Martyn

[Tusker]

snip



I would suggest that if you can afford it, get an autotune unit. The Barrett unit is a 910. There is a newer version, the 2019 which looks a lot like the familiar Codan 9350, but I'm not sure that newer one works with the older Barrett radios. That being said, I always carried a dipole antenna or a multitap as a backup anyway, should the autotune suffer issues (which it never did).

end snip

Everything you say is correct, but I wonder how many auto tunes are only ever tuned to 8022! (VKS737 Ch2).

Regards
Max P

[Rok_Dr]

Yep dredging the memory banks here as well

4 digit numbers are radio frequencies in kHz, the others I expect will probably refer to frequencies. 2020 in the old days was the inter station chat frequency and the one you used for emergencies in the evening. To tune to 2020 the tap wire is removed completely.

The WL150 refers to the length of the tap wire in centimetres, to ensure proper tuning for that particular antenna. This is the wire with 2plugs.

Cheers

Steve

[RangieBit]

Everything you say is correct, but I wonder how many auto tunes are only ever tuned to 8022! (VKS737 Ch2).


Fair point that Max, in my case no, for points mentioned earlier - frequency/base issues due to propagation. You know how it is, sometimes it's easier to talk to the west coast than the east at a particular time of day, and the inverse as well. I did also use those RadTel frequencies for the odd phone call. Besides which the ADF did teach me how to use a HF radio proper, in a strict and precise military manner!

However I do agree, most people probably don't stray off 8022!!

BTW Gav, the antenna you have was probably manufactured by Bushcomm (http://www.bushcomm.com.au/our-products/2012-09-17-21-11-15/2012-09-17-23-33-42.html). I seem to recall they make a HF whip antenna with similar windings/taps to yours for HFOz. It's not exactly the same but they always did custom wound whips anyway.

Cheers,
Iain

[Homestar]

Funny you guys say that as it was tuned to VKS2 when I got it...:D

[Homestar]

Listened in on a couple of Skeds last night on different frequencies. Think I'm getting my head around it.

Could easily hear Adelaide base and most of the mobiles that called in. Found the higher frequency was better last night - VKS2 was clear, but VKS1 faded in and out a bit more.

I am assuming from what I have read that it is a matter of finding the best frequency that suits for any given day or night.

Changing the tappings on the antenna isn't too bad, only takes a minute.

Thanks for everyone's help and input.:)

Cheers - Gav