Thread: HF Radio

Main unit is in, antenna is finally on it's way, coax and power is hooked up, just need to mount the head unit and it's all done, the antenna is a brand new 4 tap from Terlin, didn't realise it was new, let alone from Terlin, just thought it was from an Ebay seller, licence is now valid, Our call sign is VKS0478 or Mobile 0478

Originally Posted by Homestar

Ready and waiting for said dopey questions - I'll learn something along the way as well I'm sure from those with more experience than me.

Why are they waiting? Didn't think there was a law in owning an HF radio without a licence - just transmitting with it. You can - and are welcome - to listen in without a licence. I did for quite some time before paying up and actually playing with it properly.

Although it's poor form, in an emergency they will assist someone who is not licenced but is using one. They would probably get hit with a fine afterwards I would think.

I've been told by someone heavily involved with VKS737 that if caught by the licensing mob with having only part of the radio in the car without a licence you will be fined.

BTW, well worth while having VKS737 membership, it's incredibly helpful during breakdowns.

Originally Posted by rick130

I've been told by someone heavily involved with VKS737 that if caught by the licensing mob with having only part of the radio in the car without a licence you will be fined.

BTW, well worth while having VKS737 membership, it's incredibly helpful during breakdowns.

Not sure how you could be caught - there's no one to police this any more - used to be many years ago. Unless you were in the licensing divisions car park maybe.

Originally Posted by Homestar

Not sure how you could be caught - there's no one to police this any more - used to be many years ago. Unless you were in the licensing divisions car park maybe.

Have no idea and that was my comment, but they were pretty adamant about it

Transmitter licensing provisions were tightened a couple of years ago when it became an offense to own transmitting equipment if unlicensed to use it. This was done in an effort to crack down on the illegals who make every ones life on air a misery. It also makes enforcement easier as previously an illegal operator had to be caught red handed with their 'finger on the transmit button' to gain a conviction.

Deano

Yeah, but who's going to catch them? How many people have been found guilty if this since the laws were changed? I'm not saying it's a bad idea but laws are useless unless someone is policing them. I'm guessing there aren't too many Cops that see an auto tune antenna and pull a guy over to check their HF licence...

Whilst perhaps not the same as having been issued with a licence to operate on VKS737 or other frequencies allocated to private organisations, an amateur radio licence holder is legally allowed to own and transmit using equipment that is capable of transmitting more power than and on frequencies other than what the licence allows. However amateur radio licence holders have passed some operational and regulation tests whereas VKS737 or similar operators may not have.

ACMA inspectors get involved when someone lodges a radio (any frequency) or TV interference complaint to the ACMA.

Originally Posted by Graeme

Whilst perhaps not the same as having been issued with a licence to operate on VKS737 or other frequencies allocated to private organisations, an amateur radio licence holder is legally allowed to own and transmit using equipment that is capable of transmitting more power than and on frequencies other than what the licence allows. However amateur radio licence holders have passed some operational and regulation tests whereas VKS737 or similar operators may not have.

ACMA inspectors get involved when someone lodges a radio (any frequency) or TV interference complaint to the ACMA.

I went for my Novice licence many moons ago(mid 70s) a lot to take in when you're only in your early 20s

I still have my converted 18CH 27Meg radio with a 200CH digi scan that goes up into the Ham/HF frequncies

It's all done, not a lot of places to put a HF in a D4, it was a tight fit, but it's done now, I'll take a couple of pics when I can, it may help future 7 seat D4 owners, because 5 seat D4s have a little extra space for mounting the main unit.