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Purchasing a Secondhand HF Radio

Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 15:52

Sixty at Last

Article Overview - HF Radio
HF Radios are a wise consideration if you intend to travel throughout remote regions of Australia. View Full Article...
Hi all, I'm in the mkt for a secondhand Barrett 950 or Codan 9323.

The dealer network has quoted me $1650 and $1500 resp. for same, not incl installation.

As I have never had anything to do with HF I am unsure as to whether these prices are reasonable. I would greatly appreciate any advice.

Thanks. John.
ThreadID: 67600 Replies: 9
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AnswerID: 358381   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 16:02

Member -Signman replied:

I spose that includes the Autotune antenna ??

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Reply 1 of 9
AnswerID: 358383   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 16:03

MEMBER - Darian (SA) replied:

Seems quite reasonable to me, but the relativity between those models usually runs the other way. Codan has always been a bit dearer, apples for apples. I got a 950 system privately about 5 years back for $1600 - was a bargain then - most were asking about $2300 at the time. How about $1400 for a good 950 system complete and $1600 for a 9323 complete ? Both radios enjoy a solid reputation in the field and are supported well by the technical service providers. I think a new Barrett now is close to $3200 all up - closer to $3800 for the entry Codan with the same facilities.

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Reply 2 of 9
FollowupID: 626528   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 19:48

MEMBER - Darian (SA) posted:

May be of interest as a pricing guide - I witnessed a second hand 9323 sale about 5 years back here in Adelaide - $2000 cash - private sale - the seller was quite happy with that figure then - it was a great unit (now on sold, after a few years use). Although the earlier models can have everything we want, and be in great nick, the prices asked do get silly at times..... when compared to buying the latest technology and features in a new unit with a 3 year warranty...... they have to get real :-o).

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AnswerID: 358385   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 16:10

Member - Footloose replied:

Reasonable if they include autotune aerials. But I don't think so at those prices ?

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Reply 3 of 9
AnswerID: 358387   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 16:32

Member - Josh J (NT) replied:

Hi John,

I was lucky enough to pick up a 9323 with autotune aerial a month ago for $1700 from the vks737 website trader section, that is a great price for one, still see them go for over $2,000 with autotunes, if you can pick up a Codan 9323 and 9350 autotune for $1,500 i'd be grabbing it straight away.
If you check out some online sellers such as hfradio.com ($2,200) and terlin outbacker ($2,400)you can see that they still demand good money
Have noticed that there is one on ebay at the moment with no bids and a starting price of $1,500, imagine that it will get some bids and go close too if not over $2,000, may be worth keeping an eye on.

Good luck

Josh
Josh
2004 HZJ105 GXL
HFoZ Mobile/Secall 1540
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Reply 4 of 9
FollowupID: 626567   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 21:45

Sixty at Last posted:

Many thks Josh. John.
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FollowupID: 626594   Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 02:07

Member - Shane D (QLD) posted:

I'll second underdunk.(ebay)
I bought a barret 250 and he was most helpfull with advice on fitting and also can give a BIG lesson to main stream players in any feild, on back-up service.
12 months later I started to have a niggling problem with the key pad, Luckly enough I don't live too far away so If I was able to drop around he will have a look, sure enough suspect key pad so it was replaced, no warranty was ever implied, this was a well and truly secondhand unit.
Shane
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AnswerID: 358391   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 16:53

Member - Graham H (QLD) replied:

Check out ANY listings on Ebay from a seller called UNDERDUNK

I bought my NGT off him for a reasonable price

If you find a listing just send him a seller message asking if he has any for sale.
He quite often does prior to listing them.

He lives at Ipswich if that helps.


I paid $2600 for a exdemo NGT and a 9350 autotune (rev D)
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Reply 5 of 9
FollowupID: 626566   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 21:44

Sixty at Last posted:

Thanks Graham, I'll follow up. John.
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AnswerID: 358403   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 17:16

Sixty at Last replied:

Thanks guys.

I just chkd re the Barrett unit and it does come with the autotune antenna. But a bracket will cost $100 extra plus about $250 extra tio install it.

Am waiting for Codan supplier to get back to me.

Cheers. John.
Reply 6 of 9
FollowupID: 626514   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 18:21

KiwiAngler posted:

VKS 737 has a 2nd hand classified area that is currently showinga couple of HF radios

VKS737 Classifieds
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 626641   Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 13:56

Sixty at Last posted:

The Codan didn't come with autotune - $2,200 all up. I'll pass!
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 626652   Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 14:58

Member - Allan B (QLD) posted:

Hi Sixty

Give David Collins at HF-Radio a call.
0408345208
hf-radio.com.au

I have just purchased a Codan 9323 remote head, pre-programmed with VHS737 etc, new 17 tap antenna, base, spring, coax for $1821.
Excellent service. Codan instructions on CD Rom. Very happy.

Autotune antenna is not the be-all and end-all methinks.
Generally you do not change channels frequently and anyway it is an opportunity to stretch the legs when you do need to change taps.
Autotune = more expensive, harder to mount and more to go wrong.

Cheers
Allan

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Cheers, Allan

Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 358420   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 18:31

oldfart1953 replied:

What sort of vehicle are you fitting it to....if you have 100 series I have a mounting bracket available for mounting the aerial very neat & tidy installation at rear of the vehicle....get back to me
Reply 7 of 9
FollowupID: 626516   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 18:43

Sixty at Last posted:

Thks but it's an LC200. J.
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 626518   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 18:56

oldfart1953 posted:

Yes well I have a 200 series now ....so I guess you will be mounting it on the bullbar....like I had to
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 626565   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 21:43

Sixty at Last posted:

I'm not sure. Apparently it can be fitted to my spare wheel carrier?? I'll let you know when I confirm.
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 358459   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 20:38

Leigh Haywood replied:

I picked up a Barrett 550 and auto tune antenna for $1000 a couple of months ago from Portland (near Lithgow, NSW). It was not that difficult to install and the manuals are available online. It is working perfectly and the control unit looks brand new.

Andrew had several radios there for sale, and the ad is still on the VKS737 web page:

FOR SALE:
4 x Barrett 550 HF radio c/w Auto-tune & 2 whip antennae incl. manuals
VKS-737, RFDS fitted.
$1000.00. each
Good condition
Item located Portland, NSW.
Contact: Andrew Micallef (1108)
Mobile: 0429 700 308
Posted 190109
Reply 8 of 9
FollowupID: 626564   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 21:42

Sixty at Last posted:

Thks Leigh. I actually did leave a message with Andrew 3 weeks ago but I didn't get a response. I might try again tomorrow.

Cheers. John.
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 626585   Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 23:04

Time posted:

He was also selling them via Ozion, with prices varying from $800 to $1,100, they were all sold last time I looked there.
FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 626628   Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 13:13

Sixty at Last posted:

Leigh, does the B550 have an autotune antenna pls? John.
FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 626629   Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 13:14

Sixty at Last posted:

Leigh, pls ignore previous - have just re-read your post. John.
FollowUp 4 of 4
AnswerID: 358506   Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 01:35

Member - Mark E (VIC) replied:

John,

Off Topic a little, but when you do get one of these, I will be interested in how you find it in terms of noise interference from the engine management system and whether any problems surface from transmitting whilst the engine is running.

I have heard a few stories about the newer electronically controlled injection system and computers not really liking the transmissions from HF radios and can put the car in to limp mode and engine shut down, as well as huge amounts of RF noise rendering the sets useless until engine off.

Keep us informed if you remember.

Cheers,

Mark
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Reply 9 of 9
FollowupID: 626626   Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 13:07

Sixty at Last posted:

Will do Mark. J.
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