Thread: Looking for HF radio recomendations advice

Sat phones are affordable these days..........I looked into HF a while ago, it all looked to much mucking around so I borrowed a sat phone.

Originally Posted by 3lud13

So slowly organising everything required for the big trip in 2017 and a HF radio is on the list however my knowledge database is zero I searched on gumtree and found a few barnett and codan systems with what I feel is everything required at an ok price but with my knowledge base at zero I don't exactly know what I am looking at.
Any advice on what to look for recomended brands and models and what should I expect to pay I am looking at a second hand unit as I think this is somewhere I can save a few dollars and not have to buy new.

The only thing so far my research has told me is make sure the antenna is autotune otherwise you will have to constantly change plugs.

Codan are excellent as are also Barrett. I have a 9323 Codan with a 9323 autotune antenna, not only for communication in outback areas but you can also listen to the ABC, Radio australia, RFDS as well as communicate with other users. I have a Sat phone as well as I have always believed in having back up!. You can get a good setup these days s/hand for under 1K. Very good insurance I reckon. A communications licence will be required as well.

An auto tune is not a necessity, changing the flylead on a multi-tap isn't a problem and you don't change transmit channels that much in reality.

Licence comes as part of joining a network such as VKS etc.


Martyn

I assume you're considering emergency communications planning here ?

Where and when you're going and whether traveling in a group or singly will determine what your individual comms need will be. Do any of your party have a life threatening medical condition ? Your own peace of mind when traveling in unfamiliar territory is also an important consideration. Are you comfortable using a two way radio ?

So assuming you're planing a holiday and not an ordeal with travel through the centre and northern Australia between April and September and a single vehicle not a group and with no serious medical issues.

If your route sticks to the main highways and byways you probably don't need anything more than a normal mobile phone which will work most of the time anyway. A mobile with an external antenna will give significantly more range than one without and is quite simple and cheap to set up. There's only one real choice of carrier however and that's Telstra as they have rural and remote coverage where the other carriers do not. Even Telstra re sellers (ie. ALDI) may not have access to Telstra's remote sites (read their fine print). So a blue tick (rural coverage) Telstra mobile with external antenna connection and WiFi hot spot or USB laptop connection for internet/email could cover all your comms needs in the above scenario.

If traveling a bit more off the beaten track or you're a bit uncomfortable with gaps in comms coverage a satellite phone can give near total coverage, but at a price. There are two satellite technology's to consider. Geo synchronous satellites such as Inmarsat or Globalstar or the LEO (low earth orbit) Iridium satellite system. For ease of use and reliability IMO the Iridium system is the one to choose, it's as simple to use as a mobile phone with the handsets about as big as a 10 year old mobile phone. A good used Motorola 9505 (very common) will cost around $400-$500 which can be recouped by selling later. Network and usage fees vary depending on plan (like a normal mobile) but typically $40 per month and $1.25 per minute. These charges have risen approx. 20% over the last 12 months and will probably rise further as they are now costed in USD and converted to AUD.

A satellite phone will give you instant comms but who are you going to call ? A current list of phone numbers for garages, stations, RAC, NRMA, local services etc really isn't practical, but to call the kids from the back of beyond or major emergency services is a good option.

Joining the VKS 737 4WD radio network is a very good option as it gives (usually) reliable outback comms. HF radio is prone to 'atmospheric conditions' which means that occasionally it doesn't work due to noise. Membership costs $135 pa which includes licensing. VKS membership offers morning and evening radio 'skeds' with experienced operators who will help with road, weather and other information and the opportunity to listen to and contact other travelers who may be near to you and able to help in case of problems. They will pass on messages. The operators are very professional and go out of their way to make new and inexperienced radio users welcome and part of the organisation.

Both Codan and Barrett HF radio gear is well designed and built but I'd stick with the later programmable stuff such as Codan 9323/NGT or Barrett 250 or newer as it's more modern, easy to configure with various options and less prone to failure due to age/vibration, though a portable transceiver such as the later Codan 6924B may be more appropriate in some cases. Whilst an auto tune antenna is handy it's not really necessary just convenient. VKS 737 has a number of channels but there are only two you need to worry about transmitting on, the primary frequency of 8022 Khz and the secondary frequency of 5455 Khz. A Terlin type multi-tap antenna that has both of these frequency's is all you need. For receiving the tap position is unimportant.

What is important though is that installation is done by a competent HF radio installer not just someone experienced in electrics/electronics or your local auto elec. Correct installation, particularly the earthing requirements of RF equipment may not be apparent to a non radio person.

We travel quite widely and remotely and have used all of the above mentioned gear and more. If you want more specific info feel free to PM me.


Deano

Remember too that a charged Sat phone can and will run for quite a while on its batteries...

A HF is at risk from flat batteries on the vehicle, they pull a bit when transmitting...
The antenna is vulnerable in a crash / roll over, as is the power source.
Compared to years ago there is so much 'noise' out there now they are far less enjoyable to use.

A Sat phone will give you a direct call to emergency services, in an emergency you can use data to support a quick web search for nearby services (costs - but then if its an emergency)...


I did plenty of remote area travel and work - sat phone was useless when taken in context of "if I had an accident and couldn't operate it" as I worked solo.

Simple 'check ins' are still the simplest and most effective.

I will be leaving here on xxxxx, travelling this route zzzzz and arriving here on yyyyy... Failure to check in upon arrival should trigger someone to 'raise the alarm'

Consider a SPOT type unit - GPS tracking, basic SMS and help...

Can't add a lot to the good info provided in the above posts except to mention the actual radios.

The latest programmable are nice but expensive. As Bearman has said, an older radio with a multi-tap antenna (if correctly installed) is good and it will get through on air just as well as on one of the latest outfits. Better, in fact, if you have an automatic antenna and it ceases to function

If you want to keep costs down and just see how you like it, an older Codan 8528 which does have have the ability for secall (which I doubt you would ever use) & telephone interconnectivity via a service provider (like VKS737), together with a tapped aerial will be well under $1k.

If you buy a radio without TX channels fitted (which is unliekly), channel packs are on chips which are cheap and in addition you can tune to rx only on any freq.

Newer Barretts and Codans although a bit dearer are fine and are quite repairable. There are some real bargains around from time to time from people that are finished and just want to unload them.

Automatic aerials ( internally motorised for frequency changes) require regular cycling through the frequency spectrum for reliable use so in some ways a simple tapped aerial can be better for occasional use.

In the ads you will see reference to local and remote control, all this means is that in the case of remote control, the "head unit" is seperate from the main radio and can be mounted wherever it is convenient. The main radio unit is largeish - maybe 10"' X 12" - so if you have a remote head you can mount the radio bulk out of the way behind a seat or somewhere.

As Deanoh mentioned wiring & earthing is very important but nothing you cannot do for yourself. There would be useful advice on this site - just ask.

You need to be aware that on "transmit" a 100w radio pulls quite a few amps so IMO a separately protected (fused) power supply is essential (I wouldn't try to use the ciggie lighter).

There are some users on this forum who know lots more about the subject than I do, so feel free to ask away - I'm sure you will get all the help that you need setting up and using a HF.

You could google hf-radio.com and VKS737.com and read about it.

And yes - a satphone would be good to have as well but I haven't got into that myself - yet

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.

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