Barret HF Radio

[roscoFJ73]

Im thinking about buying something like this for my extended prospecting trips.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BARRETT-250-...QQihZ020QQcategoryZ109905QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
If I join the local VKS737 club I get a lic with it.
I can use it to make fixed or mobile calls to anyone in oz for $120+ depending on plan and a $1AUD minute.

Anyone know about the reliabilty or usefulness or how far it can reach out without a repeater if need be.
Is ssb a drwback.I only have my old 18 channel 27mg CB experience to fall back on

 

[roscoFJ73]

Bump ,any of you HAMs know anything or is this an aussie thing only?

 

[george_tlc]

I'd say by the specs of that unit - especially since it has 'channels' that Hams would know little or nothing of that unit. Channels seem to me to be a very non-Ham 'thing'.

Maybe some folk in oz would know more - see if someone on exploroz know anything about it.

cheers,
george.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I'd say by the specs of that unit - especially since it has 'channels' that Hams would know little or nothing of that unit. Channels seem to me to be a very non-Ham 'thing'.

Maybe some folk in oz would know more - see if someone on exploroz know anything about it.

cheers,
george.

thanks George Ive since been able to find out a bit more about them through the VKS737 4wd organisation http://www.vks737.on.net/

 

[Mickldo]

Im thinking about buying something like this for my extended prospecting trips.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BARRETT-250-...QQihZ020QQcategoryZ109905QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
If I join the local VKS737 club I get a lic with it.
I can use it to make fixed or mobile calls to anyone in oz for $120+ depending on plan and a $1AUD minute.

Anyone know about the reliabilty or usefulness or how far it can reach out without a repeater if need be.
Is ssb a drwback.I only have my old 18 channel 27mg CB experience to fall back on

Hey rosco

I just borrowed a Codan HF Radio off a mate for the trip I just went on. Because I was borrowing it I didn't bother joining VKS737 for the one trip. In hindsight I should have. The set I borrowed was an ex-Telstra set and had a heap of Telstra channels pre-set on it. These were pretty useless but it did have the ABC Radio Channels and all the RFDS Channels. It was very comforting knowing that I had contact to the outside world if I needed it (especially so as the and I found out we were pregnant two days before we left on the trip).

The sets are great for long range communications. While we in the middle of the Simpson Desert we were listening to the ABC Radio in Perth clear as a bell. They are sensitive to atmospheric conditions though.

Check out these sites for more information

http://www.vks737.on.net/

http://www.radtelnetwork.com.au/

http://www.ips.gov.au/Main.php?CatI...nkName=Weekly Weather Voice and Radiofax HAPs

http://www.exploroz.com/Vehicle/Accessories/HFRadio.aspx

http://home.alphalink.com.au/~parkerp/outback.htm

I'm looking at getting a HF Radio of my own now that I now how good they are. The RFDS are gradually changing over from HF to Satphones but they still monitor the HF at this time. The VKS737 network will put you in touch with whoever you need in an emergency and will allow you to keep in contact with other travellers in your area that may be able to lend a hand if you need it.