Is HF radio dying?

**POD** · 1st November 2023, 08:31 AM

I'm re-considering the merits of HF radio as a means of emergency communication after our latest outback trip, wondering how our experience compares to that of others here. We've been VKS-737 subscribers for many years. I leave the kids with details of how to get a message to us when we are traveling remotely and tell them that if we fail to return or to show up when expected that the network log will have a record of our location and plans as reported daily.
Problem is, the network seems to have become a quasi ham-radio system for some of the operators. I'll describe one experience on this trip as a case in point.
Camped in a remote location and as far as we could tell, we are the only people within 100km. I check the time and it is within the sked window so I power up the radio and can faintly hear the operator on channel 2, can't make myself heard at all. When he goes to channel 1 I get a better signal but the operator is not able to catch my location; all he can pick up is my callsign. He tells me he's switching to a different base so let's see if I can get a better signal there.
I listen for a couple of minutes then realise he has of course switched to channel 2 with the change of base. I switch to channel 2 and sure enough have a 5x5 signal where I spend the next several minutes listening to a chat between the base operator and an old mate who is calling in from home. This chat covers such subjects as how he spilled some beetroot on the kitchen floor and had to clean it up, how he's booked in for a colonoscopy in a couple of weeks, whether or not he's been to the men's shed lately, real Grandpa Simpson stuff and fully engaged in by the base operator. This was the worst example but not by a wide margin. There was one operator who, when I heard his voice I knew it would be all business- location, intentions, no messages, weather if requested, clear. Just what I thought we had signed on for. Obviously it's a volunteer-run thing and a hobby for the operators but I'm wondering if perhaps it has deteriorated too far and if there are options out there that better serve the needs originally intended?

**p38arover** · 1st November 2023, 10:18 AM

I suspect a satellite radio would be better these days.

I don't have a vehicle-mounted HF rig (2m/70cm only). I struggle to get comms (on the ham bands) even from my home HF setup with a larger dipole antenna.

I'm always amused by TV programmes and movies where people can get perfect comms from hand-held radios or the in-car radios. In the time I've had my 2m/70cm rig in the Rangie, I've managed only one contact via a repeater.

**123rover50** · 1st November 2023, 02:23 PM

I have been with VKS737 for 20 years and happy with the service they provide. Perhaps you should have called in with "breaker breaker" and see what happens.
Before that I was with Flying Doctor Outpost Radio. but it is just for emergencies not just calling in with position reports etc.
Keith

**p38arover** · 1st November 2023, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by p38arover

I suspect a satellite radio would be better these days.

Having said that, watch the video in this thread and hear about the issues of comms with their sat phones.

**POD** · 2nd November 2023, 09:17 AM

Valid points about having redundancy in comms for emergencies. I'm thinking perhaps I'll keep the HF just for emergencies and not bother with logging position, receiving messages etc., as that has become a bit of a frustration.

**V8Ian** · 2nd November 2023, 09:21 AM

My experience with sat phones was that reception was akin to vodafail, beyond the CBD.
How reliable are EPERBs?

**Tins** · 2nd November 2023, 09:40 AM

My OKA has a Codan. I haven't subbed to VKS737 as I haven't had the use for it yet. Currently I am wondering if a Starlink service might make it, and the satphone, redundant. As I have the Codan I might as well keep it.

An EPIRB, on the other hand, would still be an almost essential item if solo, which I will be when I go. Some problems, such as an electrical fire, or other total loss of the vehicle, would render the HF, Starlink, and possibly the satphone ( charging ), useless.

**POD** · 3rd November 2023, 08:10 AM

I think you would be looking at a PLB rather than an EPIRB. As I understand it they transmit on a radio frequency that is monitored by commercial aircraft as well as by satellite. Line of sight from airline routes at 40,000ft would surely cover all of Aus?

**Tins** · 3rd November 2023, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by POD

I think you would be looking at a PLB rather than an EPIRB. As I understand it they transmit on a radio frequency that is monitored by commercial aircraft as well as by satellite. Line of sight from airline routes at 40,000ft would surely cover all of Aus?

Well, yes. My mistake, as EPIRB has become a little generic. EPIRB is more for marine applications. However I believe they work just fine for remote touring, have double the transmit time, but are far larger and heavier making them unsuitable for bush walking.

PLB would be the logical choice for our purposes though.

**rar110** · 3rd November 2023, 09:03 AM

I did the Kokoda track recently and used a Garmin Inreach Mini to send location and short messages back to Australia. It can connect to your phone to make texting easier.

It was so light and small, and worked perfectly in PNG.

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