Thread: Changes to RFDS Emergency call detect system

Originally Posted by Chenz

If you are a member of VKS-737 and have tried to log in on a sced time, I don't know if you would agree with the comment "Dwindling usage". Sometimes you can't get in at all with the number of persons trying to log in

HF is a great system for remote communication and I have used it many times when out the back of whoop whoop.

If VKS are going to relay mesages to RFDS then this will be the best of both worlds.

Yep I still hear plenty of chatter when I turn mine on and still see a lot of vehicles with them. Can not say the same about Sat phones and as I have experienced Sat phones have their problems too. Plenty of black spots and what happens when we lose a satellite. Oh thats right it has already happened and caused choas.
The HF is a tried, tested and fairly reliable system, just needs some money spent.

OK, got off the phone with one of the head honchos from the RFDS around 1130 as I had contacted them regarding validation of the media release. Yes it is going to happen to the Western Region (WA) as of October 1st. Reason being is that Telstra are decommissioning the network and to instigate a new network for the RFDS is a cost the RFDS just can not bear at the moment (You would think all the big miners could pay for this as it is mostly their territory or maybe Gillard if they get the mining tax). The RFDS person I spoke to actually submitted a plan, but was not viable due to cost. He actually appreciated my feed back and concern (both personally and professionally) and was brilliant to talk to. There was also only minimal public feedback from surveys sent out and from public announcements, which was unfotuanate.
At this stage Queensland are also watching as they are in the same boat and probablly will take the same path as WA. Central Australia have only upgraded their systems a couple of years ago so it will stay the same there for now so these frequencies will still be viable.
As for VKS-737 they have been allocated frequencies 5300 and 5360 for RFDS calls and this will be monitored 24hrs / 7 days a week and will be supported as a legal requirement that they monitor and maintain it. So at least there is still some limited coverage.

I've never used a HF radio but have a sat phone for work (Iridium 9555 or something like that) complete with car kit. I think anyone who thinks they are some fabulous means of communication and are a just a mobile phone that can be used anywhere really need to go and try using one.
Maybe it is just my phone but although you can hear the other person fine more often than not they have trouble hearing you. Plus there is a small delay that you need to get used to otherwise you talk over each other. I tend to not make calls until I get into town as using the satphone is just too painful. Never mind all the deadspots you encounter.
I'm glad I don't have to pay for it :-)

Originally Posted by Chenz

If you are a member of VKS-737 and have tried to log in on a sced time, I don't know if you would agree with the comment "Dwindling usage". Sometimes you can't get in at all with the number of persons trying to log in

HF is a great system for remote communication and I have used it many times when out the back of whoop whoop.

If VKS are going to relay mesages to RFDS then this will be the best of both worlds.

Congrats to VKS for picking up this responsibilty. Like so much in todays world, the community is picking up the slack.

What i mean by dwindling is that, primary comms for many organisations these days is not best served by HF, either because of the network or the overall efficiency of the system. ie. actual usage, providers (telstra) cash etc. IMO Using the chatter on VKS as an example of HF popularity isnt particularly relevent in this instance. The big issue here is that no one wants to, or can afford to pay for a service which is less utilised and is increasingly being covered by alternative means with less responsibilty and ongoing maintenance.

Maybe it could be outsourced via Mumbai
Our aircraft have a fully tuneable HF with an excellent antennae yet 99% overall preference for remote company comms is via the Satphone.

I suppose like many things its easier to have someone else responsible for a Satellite Network and Service provision than to have your organisation be responsible.

cheers

Originally Posted by Utemad

I've never used a HF radio but have a sat phone for work (Iridium 9555 or something like that) complete with car kit. I think anyone who thinks they are some fabulous means of communication and are a just a mobile phone that can be used anywhere really need to go and try using one.
Maybe it is just my phone but although you can hear the other person fine more often than not they have trouble hearing you. Plus there is a small delay that you need to get used to otherwise you talk over each other. I tend to not make calls until I get into town as using the satphone is just too painful. Never mind all the deadspots you encounter.
I'm glad I don't have to pay for it :-)

Good old Telstra, I used to be able to access the phone network via my HF anywhere in Australia. Not viable so they cut it out. I used to have Seaphone on my VHF in the boat. Not viable so they cut it out and I had to buy a Sat phone so I could assure our families at home that we were safe on extended reef trips. As you say, you have to get used to it and wait a second or two before replying as there is a small delay. Now they are going to cut out another service. I am sure it's all about moving everyone to Sat phones

Originally Posted by strangy

Congrats to VKS for picking up this responsibilty. Like so much in todays world, the community is picking up the slack.

What i mean by dwindling is that, primary comms for many organisations these days is not best served by HF, either because of the network or the overall efficiency of the system. ie. actual usage, providers (telstra) cash etc. IMO Using the chatter on VKS as an example of HF popularity isnt particularly relevent in this instance. The big issue here is that no one wants to, or can afford to pay for a service which is less utilised and is increasingly being covered by alternative means with less responsibilty and ongoing maintenance.

Maybe it could be outsourced via Mumbai
Our aircraft have a fully tuneable HF with an excellent antennae yet 99% overall preference for remote company comms is via the Satphone.

I suppose like many things its easier to have someone else responsible for a Satellite Network and Service provision than to have your organisation be responsible.

cheers

Yep, but as many of us are finding out, sat phones are unreliable at best. Cut outs, being able to hear and not talk, black spots, not hooking up to satellites. These are all real common and issues I have experienced often. HF radios are actually fairly easy to use, its just regarded as a black art and a lot of the secrecy just needed to be dismissed. I for one used to think they were hard to use, but after getting one and reading the manual and playing a bit they are not. It is fine to say they do not get any calls, which is great, but many people still carry the HF as an emergency and general communications device and that needs to be accounted for, not just received calls.