Mobile HAM Radio

[Michael2]

Does anyone have much experience with mobile HAM radios?

I don't, but I was considering a HAM so I could have UHF / HF in one radio that's cheaper than a Codan or Barrett.

I've since learned that other HF (read HAM) radios aren't licenced to transmit on RFDS and VKS737 frequencies:o. But I figure in an emergency you can get as much help from a HAM operator as you could from the VKS network. Though the VKS network would have 'more people on the ground' as it were.

The HAM could also allow o/seas comms, and make for interesting listening at times of disasters etc.

Apparently morse code is no longer a prerequisite for a HAM licence.

I'm still researching / asking questions - at this stage you know as much as I do. So if you have any info I'd appreciate it. It could be technical - like kinds of aerials or band widths, or anecdotal - about benefits or limitations ....

Thanks in advance, Michael2

[waynep]

I did my foundation HAM license last year - I still haven't used it .:(. No you don't need to learn Morse. Most HAM radio clubs run courses to get the foundation license - real easy actually.

I've been looking at mobile rigs though. ICOM and Yaesu put out some nice multi-band ones. I was looking at the Yeasu FT-857D which covers HF, VHF and UHF and is very compact. UHF CB freqs are also covered I think. Only about $1200 but then you've got antennas etc to buy so looking at about $2K all up.

True the transmitter is locked out of certain frequencies including those where VKS 737 operates, ( can still receive all bands) but most HAM rigs you can modify to Tx on those bands by changing a few solder links on the main board. Disclaimer : this is not strictly legal, however there are plenty of forums that show you how to do it.

With a HAM rig as opposed to a commercial VKS737 radio aka Codan or Barrett you won't have the selcall or radphone facilities, that's all.

[Xavie]

HI, yes no need for morse any more.... I suppose I should of waited a few years until I did my licence.

The problem with transmitting O/S is that if it is a mobile rig you will have a small aerial so you won't have the same ability as say the aerial I drive past a lot which is worth at least 8 grand and stands 120ft tall with 6 guide ropes. I know you realise that but I'm not sure you would be all that great off with the ham radio. And i think if you do do it you should get the basic licence.

When I use to have a HAM radio I my smallest aerial which would allow much tx or rx was a base and it stood 55ft off the ground but any thing less then that may have struggled to do much.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I've been looking at mobile rigs though. ICOM and Yaesu put out some nice multi-band ones. I was looking at the Yeasu FT-857D which covers HF, VHF and UHF and is very compact. UHF CB freqs are also covered I think. Only about $1200 but then you've got antennas etc to buy so looking at about $2K all up.

With a HAM rig as opposed to a commercial VKS737 radio aka Codan or Barrett you won't have the selcall or radphone facilities, that's all.You should go to something like the Codan Outback Radio forum and ask your question there. There are many amateur radio ops on the forum including many professional radio techs. The amateurs on that forum make the comment that they only travel with the Codans/B@##etts and use gear like Icom for the VHF/UHF bands. The members on that forum will tell you that amateur radio gear, no matter how top end it is, just does not stand up to outback travel in a 4 X 4. You could end up in an emergency with no radio at all.
The emergency button on a Codan or Barrett can be pretty important if you are outback in an emergency.
Telephone interconnection fees on a HF-telcall set is about a third the cost of satellite phone fees (before the additional Telstra/Optus interchange satellite phone surcharges.)
The VKS737 maintains radio schedules and when traveling in remote areas you can log in your position including your ETA at your next location and if you fail to arrive this information is quickly available to rescue parties. Not possible with amateur radio.
VKS737 radio ops have direct contact with emergency services and can initiate an emergency response quicker than a call through an amateur operator which must be checked for validity (hoax call) before emergency response will be initiated.
Other VKS737 members listen into schedules, and report locations, in an emergency they may only be 1 sand hill away. Very rare on amateur radio.
Modern commercial HF sets like Codan and Barrett, will do 2 MHz through 30MHz and both have amateur radio variants.
Having separate sets for HF and VHF/UHF means that 1 radio failure does not result in the loss of all communications.
You can get good second hand modern HF setups (like Codan 9323/9360 or NGT/9360) for around the same money you will spend on a Yaesu setup.

Have I convinced you of the folly of your thinking.

Diana :wasntme:

[Michael2]

... I've been looking at mobile rigs though. ICOM and Yaesu put out some nice multi-band ones. I was looking at the Yeasu FT-857D which covers HF, VHF and UHF and is very compact. UHF CB freqs are also covered I think. Only about $1200 but then you've got antennas etc to buy so looking at about $2K all up...

FT-857D for $949 New in Melbourne :

Strictly Ham | Australia's Largest Amateur Radio Dealer (http://www.strictlyham.com.au/Yaesu/Mobile/FT-857D.htm)

Also, currently a Yeasu auto tune aerial on ebay in Melbourne for $350.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

1 comment I should make - that in an emergency where there is a threat to life or limb or a significant risk to property.

It is legal to use any communications device or frequency available whether or not you have a license for it or it is licensed to operate on that frequency.

Diana

[Michael2]

Have I convinced you of the folly of your thinking.

Diana :wasntme:

Hmmm, thanks for that insight.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Hmmm, thanks for that insight.
Michael

No worry - at first glance the Yaesu option seems very economical, however for example all new Codan and Barrett HF sets are tested on a "shock table" before being sent for sale.

Many other amateur sets would not work when tested after being on the shock table.

Diana

[waynep]

Michael

No worry - at first clance the Yaesu option seems very economical, however for example all new Codan and Barrett HF sets are tested on a "shock table" before being sent for sale.

Many other amateur sets would not work when tested after being on the shock table.

Diana

you'll find the same applies to the self tuning HF antennas ... the HAM ones are not built as robustly as the commercial ones.

ya gets what ya pays for ...

[dullbird]

i actaully

have been in contact with a guy that builds antenna's for ham radio and he builds to custom order

he has just built me a 4.5 db areial for my uhf i'm yet to see what it is like when delivered he has also made me a switch box so i can switch between my 4.5 and my 6 so i can use for across plain and convoy use

the guy has to be the nicest most geniune guy i have ever delt with and he is cheap........he has always done it as a hobbie but is hoping to start up a business

i have no idea what my antenna is going to look like i hope its not an obvious home job but i will see when it arrives

he charged me for a 4.5 db antenna and modifying a tv switch box to be used as a switch with two ariels with led indicators as to which one is on and postage $67.00................postsage is from perth:)


once it arrives and fitted if happy with it i told him i would put him in recommended vendors i will also write a review

[Lotz-A-Landies]

i actaully

have been in contact with a guy that builds antenna's for ham radio and he builds to custom order

he has just built me a 4.5 db areial for my uhf i'm yet to see what it is like when delivered he has also made me a switch box so i can switch between my 4.5 and my 6 so i can use for across plain and convoy use

the guy has to be the nicest most geniune guy i have ever delt with and he is cheap........he has always done it as a hobbie but is hoping to start up a business

i have no idea what my antenna is going to look like i hope its not an obvious home job but i will see when it arrives

he charged me for a 4.5 db antenna and modifying a tv switch box to be used as a switch with two ariels with led indicators as to which one is on and postage $67.00................postsage is from perth:)


once it arrives and fitted if happy with it i told him i would put him in recommended vendors i will also write a review
Many amateur built antennae are quite good - and up in the UHF band the effective length of the whip while important can handle multiple frequency channels without problem.

The problem with HF and particularly the low frequencies around 2 MHz to 11 MHz and greater (where VKS737 and RFDS operate) the length of the antenna on each channel is very important and varies centimetres between relatively close frequencies. This is why the HF sets need either a "tapped whip" which has a wander lead that plugs into different sockets for each channel, or they need a tuning antenna which are the large cylinders you see at the base of the whip. In general they have electric motors and moving parts inside that increase or decrease the electrical length of the antenna. These are the things that have problems with corrugated roads and in particular where the ones made for amateur radios don't hold up.

Diana

[Michael2]

Just thinking aloud here, about the fragility of the mobile HF equipment. How much more fragile could it be than a regular UHF radio from the same manufacturers. I'm sure neither the UHF or the HF would survive the shock test a Barret or Codan would, but they still seem to survive regular outback operation without a problem.

Probably a tapped whip would be the way to go, to minimise moving parts.

Keep the comments coming, because I'm no where close to decided yet.

[waynep]

Just thinking aloud here, about the fragility of the mobile HF equipment. How much more fragile could it be than a regular UHF radio from the same manufacturers. I'm sure neither the UHF or the HF would survive the shock test a Barret or Codan would, but they still seem to survive regular outback operation without a problem.

Probably a tapped whip would be the way to go, to minimise moving parts.

Keep the comments coming, because I'm no where close to decided yet.


could be because those multi band HAM sets pack a lot of stuff into a very small space. Fantastic technology, but perhaps the robustness could be compromised.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

.... I'm sure neither the UHF or the HF would survive the shock test a Barret or Codan would, but they still seem to survive regular outback operation without a problem.....
Michael

There are a lot of four wheel drivers who will only fit commercial UHF equipment like Phillips etc (some of which are multiband) and have them programmed for CB frequencies these do stand up to the rigours of 4X4 better than CB designed equipment Uniden/GME etc, although still not as robust as the likes of Codan which are essentially Mil.Spec. designed.

Check out the VKS737 site (http://www.vks737.on.net/) for info on their services.

Diana

[Xavie]

i actaully

have been in contact with a guy that builds antenna's for ham radio and he builds to custom order

he has just built me a 4.5 db areial for my uhf i'm yet to see what it is like when delivered he has also made me a switch box so i can switch between my 4.5 and my 6 so i can use for across plain and convoy use

the guy has to be the nicest most geniune guy i have ever delt with and he is cheap........he has always done it as a hobbie but is hoping to start up a business

i have no idea what my antenna is going to look like i hope its not an obvious home job but i will see when it arrives

he charged me for a 4.5 db antenna and modifying a tv switch box to be used as a switch with two ariels with led indicators as to which one is on and postage $67.00................postsage is from perth:)


once it arrives and fitted if happy with it i told him i would put him in recommended vendors i will also write a review

Hey mate, that sounds very interesting. Will wait for your write-up.

[amtravic1]

I have a Kenwood TS 50s. It is modified to transmit and receive on all frequencies between 1-30 meg. I use a Terlin Survivor antenna and I also have an LDG autotuner. (RT11). I also carry a long wire antenna that can be connected to the antenna base if the main antenna is broken.
I am not a person that likes talking on the radio but the Kenwood is there for emergencies only and has always worked when I switch it on even when covered with dust and in a moist environment with the inside of the car quite wet from river crossings.
None of the gear is fitted to the car at present as I was going to do a better installation but have not got around to it yet since when the car was broken into 6 months ago the console was broken and I need a new one.
It is legal to transmit on any radio on any frequency in a real emergency.
I currently have the radio programed with 27 meg cb channels on low power and VKS 737 frequencies. It is interesting listening to the daily scheds when away from Melbourne on the VKS frequencies and also have the ability to listen to world radio stations and hams talking as well.

Ian

ps, the guys from Strictly Ham told me years ago that there were probably more Kenwood TS50 s radios working on the VKS network than any other radio.