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Thread: HF Radio

  1. #1
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    HF Radio

    OK all you HF radio gurus, school me on what is best.

    Basically does a radio need to be specific to an antenna and visa versa??

    I'm looking at a Barrett 250 and a VKS737 Multi tap antenna CHANNELS 1, 2, 4 and 7, I do know that ideally an Autotune antenna is best, but finding one, let alone one that won't break the bank is prooving difficult, or am I better off stretching the budget and buying them as a job lot.

    Thanks
    Cheers Baz.

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    There's nothing wrong with a multi tap antenna - less to go wrong, but you just have to remember to change the tap if you change frequencies, but I found mostly I was on the one channel so no issues really. I had no dramas with mine when I was using it (Ye Olde Barrett 550) and was subscribed to VKS 737. It's still on the 101 and the radio lives in the shed now, but I know it works should I need to dust it off for a trip.

    When setting up the antenna, earths are super important and way more so than with a UHF. Even though I thought I had good earths, after a frustrating time to start with, I re made all the earths so they were the best they could be and it made a dramatic improvement.

    Also make sure the power supply cable is large enough - an HF uses a metric **** tonne of power when transmitting.
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Homestar View Post
    There's nothing wrong with a multi tap antenna - less to go wrong, but you just have to remember to change the tap if you change frequencies, but I found mostly I was on the one channel so no issues really. I had no dramas with mine when I was using it (Ye Olde Barrett 550) and was subscribed to VKS 737. It's still on the 101 and the radio lives in the shed now, but I know it works should I need to dust it off for a trip.

    When setting up the antenna, earths are super important and way more so than with a UHF. Even though I thought I had good earths, after a frustrating time to start with, I re made all the earths so they were the best they could be and it made a dramatic improvement.

    Also make sure the power supply cable is large enough - an HF uses a metric **** tonne of power when transmitting.
    Thanks Gavin, so the multi-tap is not specific to a radio just channels or who you're licenced too(ie) VKS?
    Cheers Baz.

    2011 Discovery 4 SE 2.7L
    1990 Perentie FFR EX Aust Army
    1967 Series IIa 109 (Farm Truck)
    2007 BMW R1200GS
    1979 BMW R80/7
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    1994 Yamaha XT225 Serow

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    It's set to channels.. vka737 is a receiving station / organisation


    I have a auto tune aerial but struggling to work out where to fit in the puma (if I bother).

    Interested in piccies or suggestions of where you've put aerial and how and where you've set up induce (I have codan unit with remote head)
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    Multi-tap antennas can have just the taps for the various VKS737 channels (frequencies) but can also have extra taps suitable for amateur radio bands. Buying one with the extra taps could make it more saleable later.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Redback View Post
    Thanks Gavin, so the multi-tap is not specific to a radio just channels or who you're licenced too(ie) VKS?

    Yes.

    The multi tapped antenna is frequency(s) specific not manufacturer specific.

    Another alternative is to use an antenna tuner to match a non tapped antenna to the transmitter. This is commonly built in to marine type HF sets or an external antenna tuner can be used. A bit more 'fiddly' to set up correctly, more of a semi radio amateur solution than a simple plug and play setup. note. for receive only antenna tap is relatively unimportant.


    As others have pointed out earthing is very important, particularly on the main 'box' and antenna base. Transmit power is typically in the order of 100 watts so good thick power (and earthing) cable is essential, don't use a crappy little blade fuse use a 'maxi' blade or big cartridge fuse of suitable rating.

    Deano

    Deano

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    I had a little issue when trying to set up my Barrett. In the settings, the radio thought it was connected to a base station aerial, not an auto tune. Clarity improved as soon as the tech at Barrett (over the phone) thought to check that setting, and talked me through the process. I found their over the phone support to be very good.

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    If you use the multitap antenna you need to ensure the frequencies of the various taps are identical to the VKS frequencies if you are going to subscribe to them for your mobile licence, from memory there are a number of different multitap antennas available corresponding to the various organisations using HF past and present. It is particularly important to be on the correct frequency when transmitting maybe not so when receiving.

    These are the VKS Frequencies

    VKS Base Stations.pdf

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    Quote Originally Posted by Redback View Post
    Thanks Gavin, so the multi-tap is not specific to a radio just channels or who you're licenced too(ie) VKS?
    Bit late back to the party - been out.

    As already mentioned - yes, not radio specific. If your multi tap is like mine it will have VKS-1, VKS-4 etc marked on the taps. Subscribe to those guys and you're sortedMand can start transmitting on those frequencies. You don't need to be subscribed to listen in and this will give you an idea of how well things are working and how it all works. Thier website has a list of radio scheds they run and on what channels and from where. Depending on atmospheric conditions, you could pick up Alice Springs from where you are, but don't expect it to be like talking to your mate in the next vehicle with a UHF. You'll need to 'tune' your ears a bit too when the signal is weak.

    Set it up, plug it in and see what you can hear. Once you're ready to go, subscribe so you can conduct radio checks and see how you are transmitting.
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

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    Thanks everyone, just the info I wanted, the antenna I'm looking at is a multi tap and it has channels 1, 2, 4, and 7 and from what I'm reading is good and really all I'll need.

    I've been thinking of getting HF for quite a while and this Kimberley trip has sort of sparked my interest again, I might get the antenna at this stage and if funds allow, I'll get a radio a bit later before the trip, I have a good spot for the antenna I think, in the spot where the auto tune would go, I'll make a bracket for it to fit.

    Thanks again fellas, much appreciated.
    Cheers Baz.

    2011 Discovery 4 SE 2.7L
    1990 Perentie FFR EX Aust Army
    1967 Series IIa 109 (Farm Truck)
    2007 BMW R1200GS
    1979 BMW R80/7
    1983 BMW R100TIC Ex ACT Police
    1994 Yamaha XT225 Serow

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