Member - John (Vic) replied:

With the coming of BPL it is worth about $2.50.

Member - John (Vic) replied:

Ray there is a current trial running very successfully in the USA and application has been received by Dept of Communications here in Australia to allow for access to the frequencies used by the HF spectrum.
I have spoken to a gentleman who was a founding member of the VKS network and runs a very successfully business in the radio area for over 30 years here in Melb.
Who told me personally that he would now not sell me a HF in all good conscience now knowing what he knows.
He was just involved in a series of industry meetings on this matter and is now convinced that it will come to Australia in a big way.

If there is nothing to fear then why is the VKS network so worried about it ?, read the info on their web site.

There are 3000 amateur radio licenses in this country, this technology will affect about 1.5 million homes.

The early use of this technology had issues with close quartered repeaters etc etc but this is being overcome according to the gentleman I spoke with.

If all power lines were shielded then we would not have a problem, but they aren't and we will have a problem.

Mad Dog (Victoria) replied:

If you don't get any joy here try the yahoo codan group. These guys will know.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/codan_outback_radio/

Bob Y. - Qld replied:

Timey,

I sold a Codan 7727B with cradle, power lead(suppose to be a rare as hen's teeth) and spring base(no aerial), for $350.00. This was just over 2 years ago, and the radio would have been about 18 years old then. Included ten channels, though the buyer didn't need all of them, eg 2 or 3 Mt Isa SOTA channels.

Used a similar HF, a 7727C, for many years, in a number of 75 series utes. Depending on channels fitted, could talk for over 1,500kms, or vehicle to vehicle, in convoy. Had 2 RFDS Radphone channels fitted, so if ABC, or John Laws weren't entertaining, then one could listen to calls, or even make a call. Recall mustering one day, and talking to the Boss in Brissy, describing the bullocks we were putting together. Who said communications are a lot better now??

I'd suggest that $300 would be the going price now. As for the doom and gloom stories, HF doesn't always perform well from mobile sites, in electrical storms, at least. Does manage a little better from base to base, in same situation. Can't beat 'em when the weather's clear!

Hooroo...

geocacher (djcache) replied:

TW,

Depends what frequencies are installed. BPL issues aside (and I am worried about it and have written to Dept CITA) without VKS737, RFDS or RadTel frequencies installed it is near to worthless.

The frequencies will cost about $100 per channel to change ($30-40 for crystal and components and rest for labour and bloody expensive test equipment) so to get 2 common VKS frequencies as a minimum will start the setup cost at $200.

Then it depends on whether the tapped whip can accomodate frequency changes or a new whip is needed, the cheapest new whip is $120-150 for one from FAMPAC and a Terlin will set you back at least twice that.

If it has all the right frequencies for your use, the mounting brackets, is a remote not local head model, and all the leads for it, it is probably worth $300-450 and I have seen a remote head 7727TB with all 5 VKS737 frequencies and a suitable whip sell on ebay for over $500. Without the antenna about $250-350 depending on frequencies.

Watch ebay for a bit, you'll get the idea.

If you really want a HF spend the extra and get an 8525 or 8528 they only need an eprom reprogrammed to get a bucket load of frequencies and you can pick up an 8525 for not much more, the reprogramming costs about $85 from Telstat and they will drive an autotune if you go down that track later.

Dave
VKS737 Victor 632