HF Radio - Which one and why

Yeah, all good stuff but don't get carried away..

There is a HUGE difference between having a bit of fun and a few scheds when conditions are right and having a guaranteed comms path when you need it.

I have no problems with all the comments made on this topic but come back to the bottom line. Determine your objectives and ensure your equipment and knowledge (of you and other users in a crisis) match them.

If you are solely requiring emergency comms then accept that is the objective and match your gear to your requirements. If you are prepared to accept that you would like to play HF, listen to some buddies on the bands and hope it is there when the chips are down then so be it. Just understand that HF is not as reliable as other technologies that were not available when Flynn set up the network.

As for me, I have HF, satphone, EPIRB. That is not the point. I don't care one iota about any of these technologies for anyone else I just don't want people making decisions about their safety based on generalisations. As with all real world decisions, it is a matter of thorough risk assessment. So my recommendation is:

1. evaluate your real need/requirement - the reality is most of us hide our real desires at this stage. If we want HF for fun/interest and wish to justify it on the basis of need, so be it. If we really want to be sure that we have comms in the case of real emergencies then go to the next step.
2. assess the alternative technologies
3. decide the most appropriate solution for your need.

Whatever way you go always keep in mind that when the chips are down you made the best possible decision...

Howard

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinc

I agree Davo,

When making a decision about remote area communications etc I chose an HF radio. One of many reasons was the fact that in a place hundreds of KM's from anywhere, I can listen to and communicate with others at Sked times and selcall out of sked times. I also have the ability (Barret 2050) to have GPS positioning and obviously contact with RFDS and Telcall etc etc. We travel alone, with 2 children, and I am much happier having some kind of contact with the outside world.
Just the other day, I was in the Huon valley talking with Alice Springs base during a sked, I had just checked and cleaned the set earthing and wanted a signal check. Very impressive bit of kit the HF, but it IS still dependent on atmospherics .

JC

I gotta say ...

One of the things I keep in mind when making decisions on mission critical stuff is how I will feel when I am lying there in the dust as my life slips away and I am thinking "if only I spent the extra $1,000..."

Howard

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davo

Not to prolong things here but the reason I went for HF is because I could actually afford it, and after it's all set up then you only have the yearly licence to pay for. Once in a while I'll listen to a sked and maybe call in for a radio check.

These days, the ultimate is to have one of everything, but that's just beyond the reach of many people who don't have the money. If I didn't have the radio, then I'd have my only other alternative - nothing! :D So what I've got is still better than that.

relaxed, as I roll over and press my EPRIB :lol2::p
Just stirring Howard. I like being out of telephone range!

Half your luck sleepy :p I sense I am talking with a like-mind anyway...

Howard