HF/UHF Radios

[WhiteLineFever Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WhiteLineFever]

Is anyone able to share some knowledge regarding HF radios? Wishing to purchase one for emergency RFDS and quite possibly School of the air for the kids while we're away.
Mick

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: HF/UHF Radios

How long are you going away for and where ?
I'm pretty sure the schools of the air ( there's more than one ) don't use HF radio anymore, it's all done with satellite links and computers now.
And I don't think they cater for itinerant travellers either. People I know who've travelled with kids for a long time have had to do their own teaching, with work set by their home school, and assignments sent back via email. ( they had Next G broadband )

As for the HF radio network for travellers, maybe go to the VKS-737 website and do a bit of research.
http://www.vks737.on.net/

The HF rig and antenna will take a bit of room in your vehicle, and you need to do a bit of learning to use it. Also needs a bit of care and maintenance.
They are great if you are a social person and like conversing with fellow travellers on the "net"
If it's only for safety and to talk to the relos, you might be better off with a satphone and EPIRB.
If I was doing really remote stuff, I'd take a satphone rather than an HF radio, ( personal preference )

[Yota Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Yota]

Re: HF/UHF Radios

Im one of the few that chose HF over sat phone, & i dont regret it one bit.

When reserching HF also look up HFoZ & radtel for more info. There are a few networks around. I currently have VKS737, HFoz & radtell
HFoz is great but you will need a newer radio to get full function on it, you can send SMS messages to computer or mobile phone & you can now send and recieve SMS to e-mail.
I used my HF every day while on our last trip, logging in with VKS737 most nights & logging my GPS position with HFoz.

[WhiteLineFever Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WhiteLineFever]

Re: HF/UHF Radios

Thanks gents.
We are going right around and down the centre for approx 6 months, with a few side tracks thrown in. I was under the impression the school(s) of the air mainly used email and one way video, but were still contactable via HF. We have set work for them from their own school but are interested in a few on-air "drop-in" sessions here and there. Still waiting on feedback from the schools on that. Thaks for the reference to VKS737 etc, I'll have a good look around.
Mick

[zookcubr Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zookcubr]

Re: HF/UHF Radios

Yota, you forgot to mention how long it took for you to log on and get your message through. It gets damm busy in Central Australia during the winter, HF theses days take some paitence and some training until you understand the system. But if I had a choice as well, HF over sat is the go,

Zook.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Re: HF/UHF Radios

Is anyone able to share some knowledge regarding HF radios? Wishing to purchase one for emergency RFDS and quite possibly School of the air for the kids while we're away.
Mick

As an alternative to HF... (may as well post up all the options)

If you are after comms for emergency purposes, also take a look at the SPOT. Several PradoPointers use one (including me). There is a thread dedicated to it: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4859&start=0.

Whilst it doesn't provide interactive 2-way chatting, it does combine EPIRB capability with a satellite-based message-relay to email and SMS. From the SPOT you can send simple preprogrammed messages: E.g. "I'm OK", "Help Me", or "Rescue Me" messages. If you press the 911 button (yeah, it's a USA-mindset), then help will find you. It can also be used in many locations around the globe and fits in your pocket. All in all, a prety cool device. 8)

LFaR.