To answer a couple of questions
Yes, I've spent a number of years working (and playing) in the radio, satellite, computer and communications fields.
Second hand HF radio equipment comes up on eBay and Gumtree all the time but like anything else if you're unfamiliar with the gear you could end up getting burnt. With poor antenna/transmitter installation you could literally be burnt. RF burns can be particularly nasty. As a communications tech there's no greater
sinking feeling than to get a hot flush on pressing the transmit button. :o
Info on the VKS 737 HF radio network can be found here.
VKS737: The Australian HF Radio & Radio-Telephone Network !
Note, recent changes to radio licensing laws make it an offence to own or to sell transmitting equipment to someone not licensed to use it so you may need to join (and be licensed) before purchasing equipment.
I consider the Codan 9323 (1993-2003) to be one of the best transceivers available for VKS 737 and general off road use though I'd be a bit wary of the older sets ie. a,b serial numbers. Similarly with the excellent Codan 9350 auto tune antenna, I'd try and avoid the older A, B variants. The NGT is a great piece of kit if you've got $1K+ to spend and a good choice if dash mounting space is limited.
The Barrett 250 (1987-1993) is also a good tranceiver and comes in two variants (same for Codan 9323). The SB 250 with separate 'head unit' or LC without ie. all mounted in one box.
I've used both and prefer the Codan as I reckon it's receiver is comparatively better.
Whilst some of the older sets can be bought quite cheaply I'd be a bit wary of potentially
'trusting my life' to a 25+ year old radio. :( Radio components age and fail, soldered electrical connections become brittle and fail with age and vibration. If my only remote backup was a HF radio I'd want a reliable one.
But with both a HF radio
and a modern satellite phone an older HF set like Codans excellent 8528 (1989-1995) would be less of a risk. Nothing like having a bit of redundancy. :)
We travel quite remotely and for extended periods and carry
two satellite phones plus
two HF radios and
two complete aerials (and other misc radio gear) which is really a bit over the top. I'll be rationalising shortly so watch the market section over the next week or so. :)
I've used/installed Motorola Iridium, Inmarsat and Globalstar satellite phones. I found the Globalstar system appalling and would hate to have to rely on it in an emergency. The Inmarsat
Thrace and Thrane gear I used was first class but IMO not suited to novice users and a bit more complex to set up. The Motorolla Iridium system is simple to set up and use and has no appreciable lag/echo in transmission/reception. This is because the Iridium satellites are only 100 Km up in a polar orbit whereas the other satellites are in geosynchronous equatorial orbit 30,000 Km above the equator.
A portable HF radio like the (Grey) Codan 6924B, not to be confused with the older green
'Lunchbox' radio which is practically an antique now is a great novice unit. One benefit of a portable unit is that it is not tied to one vehicle and will give you emergency comms when your vehicle is burning or upside down in the creek. :)
Deano :)
