Chasing a cheap HF radio

[bblaze]

Hi
Most likely the wrong place to ask, but I am chasing a cheap HF radio (those words dont normally go together) with a tapped airel
Has any one got one they want to part with
cheers
blaze

[jik22]

Depends how you define cheap. 8525's are quite common on eBay for the $4-500 mark. I just missed an 8528 with full freetune option which went with the older 8551 autotune for $820. :(

There's a Barrett 250 on there at the moment as well. Same sort of money. Worth giving ther seller a call off of eBay, as the prices he quoted me direct seem a little less than the eBay ones. He usually has tapped whips too.

Otherwise cheapest whip I know is from FAMPARC (http://www.qsl.net/vk3frc/) in Vic. I bought the 13 band one to do amateur as well, which might be overkill for your needs. Don't really need it now I've got the Autotune, but it'll make a good spare.

[Chenz]

It depends on what you want. I bought an old Wagner unit from the guy who was down at Cooma - Wayne from Bluepower. His number is 0428 236017. He gets units all the time and does them up. I would give him a call and see what he can do for you.

It is an old unit but with the VKS737 channels 5455 and 8022 it did the job well on the recent Madigan Line trip we did.

It cost me $400 with a multi-tap antennea. There are HFs on ebay all the time so you should get one at the right price.

[bblaze]

Thank guys
I rung David in queensland (ebay seller) and have purchased a remote head coden with a multitap aerial delivered to tassie for $1095. The coden was $650, multitap $300, spring aerial base $35 + freight. Seems a great guy to talk to, offered a lot of advice and help
cheers
blaze

[jik22]

Seems a great guy to talk to, offered a lot of advice and help
cheers
blaze

Yeah, I found him very helpful when I spoke to him. What Codan did you get for $600?

[bblaze]

Yeah, I found him very helpful when I spoke to him. What Codan did you get for $600?
codan 8525 (hope Thats the right number), David said he wont have the remote head until next week. He had cheaper options but sugest one with celcal (?) as the better option. He seems an honest bloke and I told him it would only get used at most a couple of times a year, I was sort of angling at one time toward a auto tune but he talked me out of that.
Now just have to join VKS (seem to have the biggest network)
cheers
blaze

[weeds]

yep i have been talking to david as well......pretty sure i will go the barrett 250

i'm leaning toward joing the hf radio club, will see after i sit in on a sked

[Davo]

You must be talking about "unkerdunk" on ebay. Yes, I've dealt with him a few times and he's been a wonderful help.

I've got an old 90s Codan X2. It's just a simple little thing with three switches and three knobs. With a FAMPARC tapped whip it's been fine. I joined VKS-737 and that's been great, too.

I'm hooked on the whole radio thing so of course now I want a brand-new one! Typical!

[bblaze]

yep i have been talking to david as well......pretty sure i will go the barrett 250

i'm leaning toward joing the hf radio club, will see after i sit in on a sked

Hi Weeds
David told me that the Radio club was more a cavaran type thing with lots of friendly chatter. There web site dosnt seem to have much info on base station etc, not sure of the coverage you would get. Be good if you posted your thoughts after sitting in on a sked.
cheers
blaze

[weeds]

Hi Weeds
David told me that the Radio club was more a cavaran type thing with lots of friendly chatter. There web site dosnt seem to have much info on base station etc, not sure of the coverage you would get. Be good if you posted your thoughts after sitting in on a sked.
cheers
blaze

yep will post after i sit through the sked

[weeds]

Maybe you then need to sit thru a VKS sched...or have you already? T'would be interesting to know how the different organisations compare

We found VKS excellent. They say they don't track trips but when you log in they always ask your name, where you are, and where you expect to be the next day... I assume all would be the same in that the operators remember from day to day who is doing what and who is who, and will have quite a chat at times...plus...very professional for the most part.

if only somebody close by had a HF and was on VKS so that i could drop in and have a listen

[bblaze]

Hi weeds
I asked a question from the link you posted to the web site, Had a email from Ray today passing on some info re new radios and also gave me a contact number for David. I have also just had a phone call from Ray. He has told me they have 500 members and three base stations. I reckon I will join both. Would get a lillte confusing at times I image.
Cheers
Blaze
ps
I have sent my membership form away for VKS737 today so will have to put that into the list soon.

[Chenz]

Hi weeds
I asked a question from the link you posted to the web site, Had a email from Ray today passing on some info re new radios and also gave me a contact number for David. I have also just had a phone call from Ray. He has told me they have 500 members and three base stations. I reckon I will join both. Would get a lillte confusing at times I image.
Cheers
Blaze
ps
I have sent my membership form away for VKS737 today so will have to put that into the list soon.

I would check on the renewal date as VKS goes from November to November.

The good thing I found about VKS was that having bases at Charters Towers, Adeliade and Alice was that with the varying reception conditions there was always one sked that you could get onto. At worst, there are a lot of persons who will relay for you if required.

We recieved messages from home and they start each sked with the members numbers they are holding messages for. Great bunch and real characters like Ron from Charters Towers.

[p38arover]

I just recently sold a 3 channel Codan 7727B with remote head unit to George130. It's a bit bigger than he expected. He might want to sell it on.

Why not ask him.

There is a pic on page 1 of this thread: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/communications-car-audio-electronics/59313-barratt-codan-info.html

[justinc]

I would check on the renewal date as VKS goes from November to November.

The good thing I found about VKS was that having bases at Charters Towers, Adeliade and Alice was that with the varying reception conditions there was always one sked that you could get onto. At worst, there are a lot of persons who will relay for you if required.

We recieved messages from home and they start each sked with the members numbers they are holding messages for. Great bunch and real characters like Ron from Charters Towers.

Met up with Ron when we were up there in June/ July. Excellent bloke and gave us some good redclaw trapping and camping locations:cool:
I find the VKS737 network a necessity when remote travelling especially by yourselves like we do with 2 young children etc that can get into mischief easily! Feels a lot safer knowing you can get in touch with RFDS or virtually anyone online at anytime, from almost anywhere in this vast land:D:D
Worth EVERY CENT to set up with a decent radio etc and join this valuable resource IMHO.

JC

[bblaze]

well I got my vks737 membership today
Mobile 3544
Just waiting on the radio to turn up now
cheers
blaze