Thread: HF radio.......i have nearly decided

Originally Posted by CraigE

Autotune aerial is much more flexible, especially if you want radio australia, weather etc as well.

Originally Posted by justinc

My Barrett 2050 will do the same. I was undecided about auto tune antennas until I realised the benefits of receiving more than just your preset whip frequencies, all at the touch of a button, and unlike the Codan, the Barrett auto tune is done without any moving parts in the antenna at all.

JC

OK, mine are Codan, and I have not used a Barrett.

But the point I was attempting to illustrate was that you don't need to retune the antenna if you only want to receive when you change to another frequency - such as to listen to Radio Australia.

Originally Posted by Bush65

OK, mine are Codan, and I have not used a Barrett.

But the point I was attempting to illustrate was that you don't need to retune the antenna if you only want to receive when you change to another frequency - such as to listen to Radio Australia.

True, Andy mentioned the bit about auto tuning on transmit via the TX button, not having to press a tune button first, thats what I was replying about. Yes, retune is only needed when transmitting.

On another note, is it really worthwhile being able to transmit etc on 27Mhz? I have a UHF, and found many years ago a 27 Meg set wasn't req anymore.

JC

Originally Posted by justinc

On another note, is it really worthwhile being able to transmit etc on 27Mhz? I have a UHF, and found many years ago a 27 Meg set wasn't req anymore.
JC

Generally, 27Mhz is a pain nowadays. Most people don't bother refitting it when changing vehicles and in most cases only have it for backup.

But will the backup work ?

A few years ago, I got rid of a troopie, and was stripping my HF gear out of it, I decided to test the on uniden 27Mhz, before removal, yes, it didn't work, I actually found it was an antenna base issue, fixed that and left it, I hadn't used it in years and wasn't likely to in future....

How much may i ask??
I'm asking as i'm about to sell my 8525B with multitap
Upgraded to a NGT

When we were cruising in our ketch in the 70s we [most yachts ] had ham radio. Checked into ZL1ATE in Auckland on the 20 metre band. I f you wanted to chat with another yacht you just moved uo or down a couple of kc,s. Great for safety, tho not strictly legal. Buy a Kenwood TS520 from Dick Smith for $600.
Cruising the desert in our landyacht 109 FC. we use an old Tracker Scout with a multi tap, and checked into the Flying Doctor network. Gave great service, and patched us in for phone calls at a really cheap rate. Always gave them extra as a donation. Does this service still operate like this?
I believe there are private net controllers around now. Where do I get info on them, and their frequencies?

Originally Posted by 123rover50

Buy a Kenwood TS520 from Dick Smith for $600.
Cruising the desert in our landyacht 109 FC. we use an old Tracker Scout with a multi tap, and checked into the Flying Doctor network. Gave great service, and patched us in for phone calls at a really cheap rate. Always gave them extra as a donation. Does this service still operate like this?
I believe there are private net controllers around now. Where do I get info on them, and their frequencies?

Do I need a license to operate the Kenwood TS520?

Originally Posted by 123rover50

When we were cruising in our ketch in the 70s we [most yachts ] had ham radio. Checked into ZL1ATE in Auckland on the 20 metre band. I f you wanted to chat with another yacht you just moved uo or down a couple of kc,s. Great for safety, tho not strictly legal. Buy a Kenwood TS520 from Dick Smith for $600.
Cruising the desert in our landyacht 109 FC. we use an old Tracker Scout with a multi tap, and checked into the Flying Doctor network. Gave great service, and patched us in for phone calls at a really cheap rate. Always gave them extra as a donation. Does this service still operate like this?
I believe there are private net controllers around now. Where do I get info on them, and their frequencies?

RFDS don't operate like that anymore. VKS is probably the most popular 4WD network but there are others that perform a similar function.

I think strictly speaking you can use whatever set you want to listen, the license is required to transmit. With networks like VKS your membership fee gives you the license to use their frequencies but that's it. If you want to use marine or Ham bands you need a separate license. I did think you weren't supposed to be able to buy Ham sets without a license but maybe that's not true?

cheers, Andy

Can you setup the Kenwood TS520 to transmit only on the VKS network, therefore a ham license it is not required?
I just looking if there is not the option to not expend heaps of money on the Barret or the Codan