Barratt and Codan info?

[jik22]

I'm trying to research the different models and find the main differences so I know what to look for on eBay, but it's proving more difficult that I thought, Does anyone know of a site which lists all the old and new models, and what they do or can do. Just simple things like which can drive an autotune antenna, which have detachable heads, which are EPROM programmable for the channels, which can do freetune, etc.

[p38arover]

Try here: Codan Information (http://ozradio.wireless.org.au/codan.htm)

[jik22]

Try here: Codan Information (http://ozradio.wireless.org.au/codan.htm)

Thanks Ron, that's half the battle. No idea why my Googling didn't turn that up!

[p38arover]

It's pretty low in the search results. I found it a long time ago on a search for Codan 9323.

[Mick-Kelly]

I found a very big price difference between the remote head unit and the older style. I had one of the older style (codan) installed in the rear of my old disco. It had 4 pre programmed channels, VKS737 etc. and was running to a tapped whip on the bull bar. Not the most ergonomic or hightec system but it was effective. It was there in case of emergency and i reasoned that in that circumstance i would be stationary anyway so i didnt think doubling or tripling the cost for an auto tune and remote head was worth it.

[p38arover]

I have a 3-channel remote head 7727B for sale for $120 plus postage. See AULRO Classifieds - Message - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds (http://www.aulro.com/apc/showproduct.php/product/12/cat/6)

It appears to have the crystal for one VKS 737 channel.

http://p38arover.com/misc_files/Codan-7727-2w.jpg

[rick130]

I found a very big price difference between the remote head unit and the older style. I had one of the older style (codan) installed in the rear of my old disco. It had 4 pre programmed channels, VKS737 etc. and was running to a tapped whip on the bull bar. Not the most ergonomic or hightec system but it was effective. It was there in case of emergency and i reasoned that in that circumstance i would be stationary anyway so i didnt think doubling or tripling the cost for an auto tune and remote head was worth it.

I was given the same setup, so for me, it's extremely cost effective :D
and agree, I wouldn't rush out and buy an auto-tune setup either.

[Mick-Kelly]

Rons one would be very good for the user looking for emergency contact or regular skeds. Fantastic price as well Ron i used to see these go for 500 plus on fleabay a couple of years ago. Any radio shop should be able to set up the crytals you would want. RFDS etc.

[justinc]

I have found Barrett themselves very helpful to deal with if you need advice and tech info. The after sales is second to none, and their units are first rate and incorporate a lot of unique features, for example their 910 autotune antennas are tuned using solid state relays etc, not a motorized coil like the Codan ones etc, therefore less moving parts the better I believe for ruggedness and longevity.
I'm very happy with mine, and would suggest looking at a used Barrett 950 (remote head unit etc) as with the release of the 2050, they will become cheaper soon. Some swear by Codan, and some by Barrett, but in the end, both are designed for extremes of environment and ease of use, both are used extensively in the military and aircraft industry, and either one at the right price, would be fine. Try to get ther best one you can afford, as the later ones are more user friendly and feature things like GPS positioning and Radtel interconnect for direct dial telephone etc.

Above all, don't underestimate the value and importance of a good HF set in remote areas.

JC

[The ho har's]

well we have had our Coden for 4 years now it is an older style with multi tap Antenna and we have found it invaluable. Some say the auto tune has problems with reception sometimes and I know a few people that carry both Antenna's just in case there is. You can also rig up a a series of wires in trees to work as an antenna (not sure where the instructions for doing this is right now) hope this helps:)

Mrs ho har:D

[Bundalene]

Hi, I have a Codan 8528 over 10 years - been on different 4 Land Rovers now. I had to rebuild the auto tune aerial some years ago but overall it has been excellent. The radio allows us to go into remote areas with confidence. Several of my friends have similar sets and when anyone is on Hols we keep in touch. The range is phenominal - Gove in the NT or Kalgoorlie come in loud and clear to Sydney most times. You have to understand a little about frequencies and ground planes to get the most out of the HF radio. Cheers, Erich.

[dullbird]

Hi, I have a Codan 8528 over 10 years - been on different 4 Land Rovers now. I had to rebuild the auto tune aerial some years ago but overall it has been excellent. The radio allows us to go into remote areas with confidence. Several of my friends have similar sets and when anyone is on Hols we keep in touch. The range is phenominal - Gove in the NT or Kalgoorlie come in loud and clear to Sydney most times. You have to understand a little about frequencies and ground planes to get the most out of the HF radio. Cheers, Erich.


what sort of antenna do you have accompanying your units?
also
do you have the codan auto tune unit or another one?

[Bundalene]

what sort of antenna do you have accompanying your units? do you have the codan auto tune unit or another one?

I have a Codan auto tune antenna. In my case the aerial driver is in a separate box, because that is how I bought it.

[jik22]

I have a 3-channel remote head 7727B for sale for $120 plus postage.

That's an excellent price Ron - let me see if I can get crystals to add other channles, and I'll come back to you. This, with a simple multi-tap might prove ideal for the Defender, allowing me to put the amateur HF rig (Most likely going to get a Yaesu 857D) in the D3 with a bigger multi-tap and antenna tuner.

[jik22]

Well, summing up, (and ignoring wha Ron is selling for the moment) it seem I can get:

Cheaper 8528's, but the lack of autotunes s/h, means I'd be running a tapped whip.

Older Barrett 250 for $700ish on eBay, but same deal as above for the aerial.

I've also been offered a remote head 9360, with 9350 autotune, for about $2300.

Or, I can get a new Barrett 2050 with 910 autotune for $3200.

As to aerial, I think I'd carry a long wire and tuner (Borrowed from the amateur kit I'm also about to start putting together) as a backup.

Decisions, decisions...

Thanks for all the info.

[justinc]

Hi DB,

I have a Barrett 910 Auto tune antenna that comes with the 2050 unit. (I bought an 'Outback traveller' package from Barrett in WA, it comes complete with whip, auto tune antenna, remote head unit and main unit, full installation kit and is a piece of cake to install.) To answer your Q though, the Barrett auto tune antenna is different to the Codan unit only in the way they operate, to achieve the same result.
I thought of a multi tap aerial, but I like to set the unit on scan sometimes, and I also tune in to local ABC news and regionals from time to time. I can also get Weather reports, both air and shipping, and voice of america, BBC world service, Radio Australia, Radio Beijing, Netherlands, etc etc etc. (The last few with the aid of a wire antenna, tree mounted, at night, atmospherics permitting...)

JC

[p38arover]

I know I should sell my Codan 9323 and 9850 autotune but I still want to fit it (one day) to the P38A.

[Basil135]

Many years ago, I was a radio apprentice for a company that made HF radios for RFDS. The company was called Tracker Communications, and the radio came in 2 variations - the Scout & the Scout L/R, being the one with the remote head.

We installed these radios in many different types of cars, utes, trucks & buses. The one thing all of these installs had in common, was that just about everyone opted for the tapped antenna. Auto-tunes wern't as popular in those days, but the tapped antenna never seemed to fail.

As for "rigging up a bit of wire between a couple of trees" goes, it is a little more complicated than that. However - a company like Codan or Barrett will be able to look at the frequencies installed in your particular radio, and make an antenna for you. These are particular good in the middle of nowhere, and do tend to work better than a tapped antenna.

When looking at HF radios, it might pay to check out & see if a licence is required from ACMA. I know they used to be, but you could get a special one if you only had the emergency RFDS channels installed.

Without wanting to hijack this thread any more than I already have, just wondering if anyone still has any of the old Tracker Scout radios installed & working?

Cheers all....

[dullbird]

Hi DB,

I have a Barrett 910 Auto tune antenna that comes with the 2050 unit. (I bought an 'Outback traveller' package from Barrett in WA, it comes complete with whip, auto tune antenna, remote head unit and main unit, full installation kit and is a piece of cake to install.) To answer your Q though, the Barrett auto tune antenna is different to the Codan unit only in the way they operate, to achieve the same result.
I thought of a multi tap aerial, but I like to set the unit on scan sometimes, and I also tune in to local ABC news and regionals from time to time. I can also get Weather reports, both air and shipping, and voice of america, BBC world service, Radio Australia, Radio Beijing, Netherlands, etc etc etc. (The last few with the aid of a wire antenna, tree mounted, at night, atmospherics permitting...)

JC

ok sorry to hijack the thread here......its only because i'm watching a codan 8525s which is the marine, version i know but the guy assures me it can be used for on land as well....
as well as a codan autotune 8551.

dont really know a great deal so watching blind really the guy has sent me info which has been really helpful.

but looking into the antennas for this unit new looks like we might have to spend upwards of $1000 dont really want to spen that much but its that or a sat phone..either way it looks like we would spend a coupld of grand:eek:......

this is what i'am watching.....

CODAN 8551 ANTENNA-CONTROL UNIT - eBay Accessories, 2-Way Radios, Walkie Talkies, Radio Equipment, Electronics. (end time 08-Jul-08 00:56:41 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280240591408&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:AU:1123)

CODAN 8525S SSB HF TRANSCEIVER - eBay 2-Way Radios, 2-Way Radios, Walkie Talkies, Radio Equipment, Electronics. (end time 08-Jul-08 00:40:00 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CODAN-8525S-SSB-HF-TRANSCEIVER_W0QQitemZ280240587717QQihZ018QQcategor yZ149995QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

any not to technical advice would be greatly appreciated:)

[p38arover]

Ahh, I remember Tracker (I was a radio tech a long time ago).

Re long wire antennae, I have an old Codan manual antenna tuner sitting out in my electronics workshop.

[jik22]

I know I should sell my Codan 9323 and 9850 autotune but I still want to fit it (one day) to the P38A.

Yes, you should. To me. :D :angel:

Do I have to phone you up and offer cash to help you make up your mind? ;)

[p38arover]

Yes, you should. To me. :D :angel:

Do I have to phone you up and offer cash to help you make up your mind? ;)

I was gunna call you last night but you didn't have Skype running.

[dullbird]

I was gunna call you last night but you didn't have Skype running.

these under hand dealings makes me sick:mad:




i'm on skype too;):D

swap yeh a winch:D........only joking

[p38arover]

these under hand dealings makes me sick:mad:




i'm on skype too;):D

swap yeh a winch:D........only joking

Does the winch work? :angel:

Skype shows you and Ian as being in High Wycombe, UK, not East Hills, Australia.

[dullbird]

Does the winch work? :angel:

Skype shows you and Ian as being in High Wycombe, UK, not East Hills, Australia.


i have no idea if the winch works ron, and wont until i get a winch bar fitted up

yes the skype is registered to the uk simply because we used to put money on it to make phone calls.....and because we registered it in the uk we can make uk phone calls to landlines at local uk rate regardless of what country we are in. through the skype;)

[jik22]

and because we registered it in the uk we can make uk phone calls to landlines at local uk rate regardless of what country we are in. through the skype;)

I use Pennytel for UK calls - 8c flat rate! Even at 1p/min, when my wife gets chatting (Or rather, listening!) to her mum even that would get expensive! ;)

[jik22]

I was gunna call you last night but you didn't have Skype running.

I'll be on during the day tomorrow...will give you a call if you're still off work.

[DirtyDawg]

Yes, you should. To me. :D :angel:

Do I have to phone you up and offer cash to help you make up your mind? ;)

Just make sure Ron you include a NON return warranty....hey Taff?

[The ho har's]

ok sorry to hijack the thread here......its only because i'm watching a codan 8525s which is the marine, version i know but the guy assures me it can be used for on land as well....
as well as a codan autotune 8551.

don't really know a great deal so watching blind really the guy has sent me info which has been really helpful.

but looking into the antennas for this unit new looks like we might have to spend upwards of $1000 don't really want to spend that much but its that or a sat phone..either way it looks like we would spend a coupld of grand:eek:......

this is what i'am watching.....

CODAN 8551 ANTENNA-CONTROL UNIT - eBay Accessories, 2-Way Radios, Walkie Talkies, Radio Equipment, Electronics. (end time 08-Jul-08 00:56:41 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280240591408&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:AU:1123)

CODAN 8525S SSB HF TRANSCEIVER - eBay 2-Way Radios, 2-Way Radios, Walkie Talkies, Radio Equipment, Electronics. (end time 08-Jul-08 00:40:00 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CODAN-8525S-SSB-HF-TRANSCEIVER_W0QQitemZ280240587717QQihZ018QQcategor yZ149995QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

any not to technical advice would be greatly appreciated:)


we have a 8525 B which looks the same as that except for the extra orange button on the top left hand side. Not sure what that one is for. Ours has not faulted and has been all over Aust. our multi tap is an Terlin Outbacker 21 from Canning Vale W.A. Does this help



Mrs ho har:D

[p38arover]

How much hassle is the multi-tap? I reckon it would be a less likely target for thieves.

I bought the autotune as I was going to use it the 9323 (after modification) for amateur mobile as well.

[The ho har's]

How much hassle is the multi-tap? I reckon it would be a less likely target for thieves.

I bought the autotune as I was going to use it the 9323 (after modification) for amateur mobile as well.


We have never had a prob with it you just have to change the "tap" to change frequencies but that is no dramas. You can't scan with one as some people do to listen to the news, weather etc. Very easy to take off for car parking etc. Most people think it is a flash UHF Ariel who don't know of HF's

Mrs ho har:D

[Redback]

Is this a good deal for $1200

On offer is : *A "Very Special" Codan 9323 with a Freetune TX 9780 front panel.
Check out these features:
~VFO style Freetune TX and RX from 1.6-30MHz.
~TXE Option-Front Panel or PC programmable, 400 channels 1.6-30MHz.
~USB/LSB/AM on TX and RX.
~Pre-programmed with a "Ham pack" of frequencies
~All other standard 9323 features--sellcall/telcall/RFDS Call etc.
~You can plug your own V4.xx remote head (not supplied) straight into this and you can control this radio from both heads simultaneously.
~Will plug straight into a 9350 autotune (not supplied)---You will need to extend the stainless whip if you wish to TX on 160M.

Supplied is :
~Version 4, 9323 chassis with freetune export version 9780 front control panel.
~Mic
~Mounting cradle.
~User manual on CDROM
~New power connector - you will have to fit your own cable.

Cosmetically this radio is in good condition, but does have some wear marks/scratches and a little dust in the edges.
Works perfectly, so comes with a works fine on arrival warranty.
****Note that I can only sell this to someone suitable licenced--ie, Ham or Marine use.
--I will also have standard remote head 9323 HF radios with 9350 autotune antennas coming up real soon---Keep an eye on my upcoming listings.

[jik22]

Just make sure Ron you include a NON return warranty....hey Taff?

Well, I'm sure Ron's will be complete.

[p38arover]

Is this a good deal for $1200

On offer is : *A "Very Special" Codan 9323 with a Freetune TX 9780 front panel.etc.

.
****Note that I can only sell this to someone suitable licenced--ie, Ham or Marine use.

OK for Jeff (jik22), he has an amateur licence. Mine doesn't have freetune TX unfortunately. I need to get the password to unlock it.

[jik22]

Is this a good deal for $1200

On offer is : [FONT=Arial] *A "Very Special" Codan 9323 with a Freetune TX 9780 front panel.


That's one of the ones I was looking at. From memory, it wasn't remote head, which would give me mounting problems in the Defender. Seems about the going rate, but the antenna is going to be extra - and they seem to vary from $300ish for a multi-tap whip (Plus you'd really want an antenna tuner) to whatever the market will pay when the autotunes come up!