Member - Scott F (QLD) replied:

Hello Shane, Mark at the Codan communication repairer at Caboolture Qld is a whiz ( not sure what it is called, but if you contact VKS-737 they will give you the business name) you will save a lot of time & money, Mark diagnosed my dads HF problem very quickly - with the perfect result - give him a call!, byeeee

Member - Mary W NW VIC replied:

Don't know if you read my follow up on old post re speaker in set being rs.Try plugging in a remote or headphones-solved my problem-all transmissions loud and clear,
Cheers,
mary

jeepthing replied:

Shane,

It could be your location have you tried testing it away from residential areas/power lines etc?

If you still have the aerial located at the rear of your vehicle have you tried a bullbar location, you will get a better ground plane there and I know that Barrett recommend this location, even with an auto tune aerial.

I know there's an issue with wildlife with that location. Even though I have a tapped aerial I just remove it when traveling in the outback then hook it up when I check in at sked time.

The clarity of incoming signals can have a lot to do with your location whereas transmissions have a lot to do with a good ground plane and your location. I live in a rural residential area and the reception and transmissions are poor in front of my shed but when I move to the front of my block away from metal roofs/shed it's 100%

There's a fellow who sells HF radios on ebay goes under the name of Underdunk, I bought my Barrett 250 through him and he is very knowledgeable and very helpful. I'm not sure if he has anything there at the moment. He would be the guy to talk to if you can get hold of him. Someone who reads this thread may have his telephone number I can't find it at the moment but I'll have a further search and get back to you if I find it.

anglepole replied:

Just before you go running off to have your radio checked here are a few simple self checks you can do.

If the Radio tunes properly when you transmit it is not likely to be your antenna earthing. Make sure your RADIO is properly earthed.

I don't if your radio has Volmet frequencies or the weather frequencies from Charleville and the one in WA, you could listen to these and they should boom in.

The other problem is the reflecting layers in the atmosphere don't always do the right thing and there are times and days that comms are difficult.


Check this out, http://www.ips.gov.au/HF_Systems/1/1/1

Good luck