HF Radio

[numpty]

I am looking at purchasing an HF radio and not wishing to buy new due to cost. Can anyone give me opinions on a Codan 8525?

Perry

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I am looking at purchasing an HF radio and not wishing to buy new due to cost. Can anyone give me opinions on a Codan 8525?

Perry

8525 (a) is too old (only 3MHz to 18MHz). They rarely have sellcal and can't do telcall. 8525b better but still too old.

These days I suggest the 8528 as the minimum, provided it is telcall capable and programmed for 27MHz CB channels plus programmed for all your desired VK737 etc channels.

The Codan 9323 is a good set and I suggest best Codan value for money, its cable programmed rather than having to burn an EPROM of the older sets.

Diana

[p38arover]

Perry, PM sent.

Also look at QMAc HF90 - http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1330 - originally over $7k, now under $1K

See also http://www.hfradiosales.com.au/codan.../Qmac_HF90.htm

[RangieBit]

Hi Perry,

Firstly I will say I have never owned this particular HF radio though have in the past owned other Codan units. If this is anything like it's successors then its probably built like the proverbial brick ****house and should have many years of life in it yet. That said, it should have been well sited to protect it and well maintained in order for it to continue to give good service. Correctly maintained they will provide you with many years of faithful service. I've never had issues with any Codan I've had or operated, though as previously mentioned I've never owned this particular unit.

Not sure where you intend to purchase this from but would suggest you get a properly "refurbished" unit from a reputable seller. Yes, they are on eBay as well and you'll find them without looking too hard.

Now, depending on what experience you have with radios of any sort I would suggest something a little more modern might be a better choice. If you are used to operating radio equipment (were a Ham or ADF radio operator in a former life) then you should have no trouble coming to terms with this particular 99 channel unit.

No HF radio I have encountered is difficult to come to terms with but the older units do require a bit of radio knowledge or the learning curve for operation is very much steeper. They are much more complex than a UHF CB, and in untrained hands much more damaging to the RF spectrum and their operators. So, if you have never operated anything more complex than a CB I would suggest trying to stretch your budget to something a little more modern like a 9323 or if you can really stretch it an NGT. Both of these units can be obtained pre-owned. The NGT in particular is almost as easy to use as a mobile phone. There are Barrett units as well you might also consider if you don't already have a brand preference.

I suggest you have a look on this great Interweb thingy and see if you can get hold of the operation manual for the 8523/8525 and give it a read. If it makes sense to you. If you feel you could operate it without confusion then I'm sure you'll be very happy with your choice of radio.

Next, please don't consider getting a wire tap antenna to "keep the costs down". Doing so will cut costs but I can offer you assurances that you will most likely regret the decision. Go with an Autotune antenna unit. They are indeed more expensive but the convenience involved will far outweigh that initial cost very quickly in actual use.

Getting out of the vehicle to constantly change the little wire (if you don't lose it) every time you change a channel is a right PITA. Likewise they will restrict your operation to a limited number of frequencies. You will see Emergency Services vehicles with wire-tap, tuned length antennas. They can get away with it because those that use these form of antenna usually don't change frequency very often, if at all. Anyone travelling our vast country far enough and expecting to operate their radio is going to find only 12-15 frequencies very limiting. 12-15 might sound adequate but if you look at a list of frequencies for VKS737/HF-Oz/RadTel/HF-Tel/RFDS you will quickly see that number very limiting. If the frequency is not catered for on your antenna then you cannot transmit on this frequency. To do so would risk the integrity of your radio. That is you could, quite literally, blow it up. Autotune antennas don't have this issue. They can tune appropriately to whichever frequency is necessary. The naysayers will say they can't tune as accurately as a tuned length antenna which is true (and why the ES often choose wire tapped). For your intended use it makes no practical difference.

Hope these thoughts are of use to you.

Cheers,
Iain

[The ho har's]

We have the 8525B...yes it is old, we have been advised by our radio repairer to take particular care with the mic as you cannot get them anymore when it dies its dead forever

So perhaps not the best HF for you

Mrs hh

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Perry

Agreeing with Iain, I currently have an 8525 and and 8528 and two 9323. When buying, stretch your purse to the 9323 min.

Yes on the ATU - the CODAN 9350 ATU, try to get a "D" suffix.

Barrett is also good and their ATU are smaller than the CODAN (about the size of a large thermos flask).

Diana

[numpty]

Thanks Iain and Diana.

Yes, it was an 8525b with multitap antenna. I had an older 2 channel Wagner set which while it worked fine was very, very limited. Many years ago I successfully owned and operated an old 6810 set, so I certainly appreciate the operations and limitations of such equipment.

I will look into the 9323 and maybe you could enlighten me about the 9350 antenna. Meanwhile I,ll do some googling myself.

Perry

[87County]

Thanks Iain and Diana.

Yes, it was an 8525b with multitap antenna. I had an older 2 channel Wagner set which while it worked fine was very, very limited. Many years ago I successfully owned and operated an old 6810 set, so I certainly appreciate the operations and limitations of such equipment.

I will look into the 9323 and maybe you could enlighten me about the 9350 antenna. Meanwhile I,ll do some googling myself.

Perry

You know about tuning antennae etc ? the later auto tuners require no "tapping" like the earlier types

The 9350 should be OK (it is rebuildable) unlike the 8558 which came out about the time of the 8525 radio. All advice seems to be to steer clear of the 8558 antenna.

There is a new Codan solid state antenna but I don't know if the older radios will drive it.

I notice that radio resellers want about $900 for a reconditioned 9350 with some kind of BtB warranty - a new one would be about $1500 I guess.

Have a look at http://www.hf-radio.com.au/ and http://www.lakecomm.com.au/2ndhf.html

HTH

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Thanks Iain and Diana.

Yes, it was an 8525b with multitap antenna. I had an older 2 channel Wagner set which while it worked fine was very, very limited. Many years ago I successfully owned and operated an old 6810 set, so I certainly appreciate the operations and limitations of such equipment.

I will look into the 9323 and maybe you could enlighten me about the 9350 antenna. Meanwhile I,ll do some googling myself.

Perry

The 9350 is about 600mm tall + the whip antenna

Has a RF coax cable and a multipin control cable. It works with the internal electronics of the set to tune the antenna to the electrical length required to the chosen frequency.

[RangieBit]

Yep,

+1 to what 87County said.

The 9350 is definitely the go. The useful glitch to that is that most of the pre-93XX series radios won't generally drive it without significant modification. Any autotune generation prior to this isn't worth consideration.

The 9350 uses a series of stepper motors to achieve the tune (helped along by a smart set of electronics). Basically the autotune tries to help the radio achieve a SWR of 1:1 in the antenna when you select Tune. It seldom, if ever, achieves this but is happy to get 2:1 or better. This tuning process can take quite a few seconds due to a number of factors and has to be done for each frequency selected.

The more recent 3040 Solid State unit mentioned achieves the same thing through the use of relays so is much quicker to do a primary tune for a frequency and almost instantaneous for subsequent selections of that frequency due to a memory facility. Not sure of its compatibility with older series radios as this is the unit of choice to go with NGT radios.

The 9350 is still an excellent unit and still going strong. They do require the latest firmware to get the best from them though. Try to get one at least at "D" series level. There are a number of accredited agents about who can service/upgrade them for you.

Due to the fact that these units are quite bulky, and recent legislative changes, the place to mount these seems to be at the rear of the vehicle. Most commonly this appears to be on a rack attached to the spare wheel mount on the rear door. When I owned my D2 this is where mine was mounted. If mounting on a bullbar (and check with your state authorities as to what is allowed) ensure that you reinforce the mounting tab significantly. These units can weigh around 6kg and, with the wind area, place a significant load on their mounting points. Alternately mount to the platform of the main frame of the bull bar. Ensure that the top of the tuning unit is above the nearest flat expanse of metal i.e bonnet or roof. This area forms part of the ground plane for the antenna and the autotuners get very upset if they start propagating the RF signal below this plane. You notice this first by your radio refusing to tune. People have been known to ignore this and have done significant damage the autotune unit and their radios.

Pricing of the 9350 is as 87county says, though I'm sure unit cost would be less if purchased as part of a complete package.

As before if you're not set on a Codan unit check out some of the Barrett units like the 250/550/950/2050. All of these use the 510/910 Autotune unit which uses relays like the Codan 3040 and is smaller as Diana described. It tunes quickly, typically a second or less, and remembers frequency settings so re-tunes very fast. Just don't get a white one as these were prone to having the body deteriorate badly. The grey versions are fine it seems.

Barrett have a newer Autotune 2019 which curiously looks a lot like the Codan 9350. This unit is intended to complement their 2050 radio.

You should find lots of info out there on these units (and the radios) and there's always folk here ready to answer specific questions you may have.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting,
Iain