HF frequencies?

[jik22]

Is there a web site that shows all unlicensed HF frequencies that can be used, and other than VKS737 which I know about, which ones are actually of use for outback travelling? i.e. On HF, how woudl you contact the flying doctor, for example?

Reason I ask is I'm looking at a HF/UHF set once I do my amateur radio exam and want to ensure it can also be used to talk to others that have HF sets? Was in a radio shop today with a mate while in the US, and noticed that HF/UHF sets here at $1300US which seems a fair bit cheaper than at home, so I'm assuming there must be things we need that they don't do, but am trying to find out what??

[p38arover]

See http://www.flyingdoctor.net/hfradio.htm

Ron

[jik22]

See http://www.flyingdoctor.net/hfradio.htm

Ron

Duh! I looked there, but didn't scroll down the page enough. Thanks!

Seems that and VKS are all in the 2,3,5,6,11 and 15MHz region, so the iCom 7000 I was looking at should do it nicely, I hope.

It also has a 440MHz UHF band, so I'm going to call a couple of dealers and see if that is tweakable to 477MHz, as then I'd only need one set in the car.

Still worries me that it's too cheap - I must be missing something. :confused:

[p38arover]

Will the Icom tune the required frequencies in the Tx - often the receivers will cover the full HF band 3-30 MHz but the Tx will only work amateur bands.

Ron

[jik22]

Will the Icom tune the required frequencies in the Tx - often the receivers will cover the full HF band 3-30 MHz but the Tx will only work amateur bands.

Ron

Good point - the shop said 0-30MHz (Plus the other bands), programmable via the front panel, but looking at the specs on the web it shows:

0.030–199.999MHz*2
400.000–470.000MHz*2
1.800– 1.999MHz
3.500– 3.999MHz
5.3305, 5.3465, 5.3665, 5.3715, 5.4035MHz*3
7.000– 7.300MHz
10.100–10.150MHz
14.000–14.350MHz
18.068–18.168MHz
21.000–21.450MHz
24.890–24.990MHz
28.000–29.700MHz

Which doesn't seem to match up at all well with the VKS ones for a start, which are:

1 5455 Khz
2 8022 Khz
3 11612 Khz
4 14977 Khz
5 3995 Khz

Damn, knew it was too good to be true. But still doesn't explain why HF sets like the Codans are so much more expensive though....

[waynep]

Ron's right - be careful here. You will probably need to mod. the radio to make it work on VKS737 freqs. And VKS737 don't allow amateur sets to use their their freqs either. ( although it would be hard for them to know )

There are a couple of websites that will show you how to modfiy the set to Tx over the whole band - its normally only a couple of links that needs to be changed around/resoldered - but do you really want to risk it ?

The other way you could go is get your Ham license than you have a whole heap of frequencies to choose from in HF, VHF, and UHF- I did it last year and its not hard. If you do think you might get get a HAM licence getting a set from overseas either an ICOM or Yaesu is possibly a good move. I'm not sure if you would have any issues bringing it through Customs - generally I think any transmitting device needs an Australian ACMA cert..

[jik22]

Ron's right - be careful here. You will probably need to mod. the radio to make it work on VKS737 freqs. And VKS737 strictly don't allow amatuer sets to use their their freqs either.

There are a couple of websites that will show you how to modfiy the set to Tx over the whole band - its normally only a couple of links that needs to be changed around/resoldered - but do you really want to risk it ?

OK, I can understand VKS only wanting paid-for members using their frequencies, and I understand they have bought frequencies in the HF band so non-licensed users can use them...but why would they want to stop certain types of equipment from using them, if the user is both a licensed amateur radio operator and a VKS member??

I also note iCom list country-specific versions of this set, so I wonder if the Aus one has different frequencies? Will call them when I'm back, as it will also be interesting to see how much this set is at home compared to the $1250US it can be got for here....

Depending on the answer, it may or may not be worth the risk as you say. Would also be good to know if the 430-450MHz band can be changed to 477MHz to stop me needing two sets in the truck.

Will have a further Google...thanks.

[jik22]

The other way you could go is get your Ham license than you have a whole heap of frequencies to choose from in HF, VHF, and UHF- I did it last year and its not hard. If you do think you might get get a HAM licence getting a set from overseas either an ICOM or Yaesu is possibly a good move. I'm not sure if you would have any issues bringing it through Customs - generally I think any transmitting device needs an Australian ACMA cert..

Meant to mention, am about to do my amateur license, which is what prompted the question...seeing if I could get a set to do both jobs, and seemingly at a fraction of the cost of a "non-amateur" HF set.

[p38arover]

If you can find a Codan 9360 (a 9323 with the Tx free tune option (they all have free tune on the Rx I believe) and LSB on the amateur bands on the Tx) than that will do what you want.

The 9360 was sold overseas I beleive. I'm no expert on this but if you have contacts O/S it could be worth a search.

One's 9323 can be converted easily if one has the password/pin that only Codan have and don't normally give out.


Ron

[waynep]

Meant to mention, am about to do my amateur license, which is what prompted the question...seeing if I could get a set to do both jobs, and seemingly at a fraction of the cost of a "non-amateur" HF set.

The ICOM 7000 is a top notch set then - many HAMS would love tohave one. It supersedes the old ICOM 706 which has a good reputation in HAM circles.
Look at www.mods.dk (http://www.mods.dk) for the mods needed. There are other sites also.
I think that set needs is a couple of jumper changes to wideband it. They are on the mainboard on soldered on and there is a risk you will damage the mainboard if you are not proficient with soldering.
Maybe the shop you buy it from will do it for you. Remember though its not actually legal to mod these sets to operate outside the HAM bands.

You might want to look at the Yaesu FT857D also -a nice set more compact than the ICOM and cheaper. Though not as modern. Thats the one I was thinking of getting.

[waynep]

OK, I can understand VKS only wanting paid-for members using their frequencies, and I understand they have bought frequencies in the HF band so non-licensed users can use them...but why would they want to stop certain types of equipment from using them, if the user is both a licensed amateur radio operator and a VKS member??

I also note iCom list country-specific versions of this set, so I wonder if the Aus one has different frequencies? Will call them when I'm back, as it will also be interesting to see how much this set is at home compared to the $1250US it can be got for here....

Depending on the answer, it may or may not be worth the risk as you say. Would also be good to know if the 430-450MHz band can be changed to 477MHz to stop me needing two sets in the truck.

Will have a further Google...thanks.


I don't think it is VKS737 but the Govt specifying that only certain "type approved" radios can operate in Australia in certain bands. There are specs for radio operating in "commercial" bands in term of wideband noise, interference, etc. Companies like Barret and Codan spend a lot of money designing their sets to meet those specs and getting the approvals ( hence the higher price ). The sets designed for HAM use are limited for use by licensed HAMS and only in HAM bands. So I'm speculating VKS don't want to be seen to be promoting anything illegal.

If you want to compare prices in Australia look at Andrews Communications site in Sydney. They're probably the cheapest around. I think they are flogging the ICOM 7000 for just under $2K. But you do get a warranty.

Don't forget to allow for an antenna also - if you go an autotune they can set you back a bit.

[jik22]

You might want to look at the Yaesu FT857D also -a nice set more compact than the ICOM and cheaper. Though not as modern. Thats the one I was thinking of getting.

Even cheaper from the place I was looking at:

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/1857.html

How much have you found this for in Aus?

[waynep]

Even cheaper from the place I was looking at:

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/1857.html

How much have you found this for in Aus?


Just under $1200 AUD