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Licensing for the use of HF radios

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 17:37

Isuzumu

Article Overview - HF Radio
HF Radios are a wise consideration if you intend to travel throughout remote regions of Australia. View Full Article...
I have just brought a HF Radio and was wandering what license I need to operate this radio?
Does my RROCP, (Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate of Proficiency) issued by Spectrum Management Agency for my Master Mariner tickets which included HF, valid on land? or do I have to sit another exam?

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Cheers Bruce
ThreadID: 73009 Replies: 12
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AnswerID: 387070   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 17:45

Sir Kev & Darkie replied:

Just join VKS 737 I think

I have one as well but have yet to fit it and join VKS737, although it will be done before next years National Gathering :)


Cheers Kev
The Pyrenees
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Reply 1 of 12
FollowupID: 654626   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 18:07

Isuzumu posted:

Think I read that some where Kev, but I would have thought you would still have to do an exam like we had to do for our Maritime ones. And if I did not join that Organisation what do I do?

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Cheers Bruce
FollowUp 1 of 5
FollowupID: 654629   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 18:13

Karen & Geoff posted:

We are in the 3 CLubs and we did not have to do any exams. Filled in the application form and thats it.

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Us 2.
Life is grand when you are about to travel Australia, where time does not exist!

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FollowUp 2 of 5
FollowupID: 654643   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 19:39

Hairy (NT) posted:

No exam for VKS...wasnt last year anyway.

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.
FollowUp 3 of 5
FollowupID: 654697   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 at 09:00

Member - Doug T (NT) posted:

Hairy
Just as well...........you wouldn't pass it anyhow.



.

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Doug & Dusty
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Mt Bundy Stn
FollowUp 4 of 5
FollowupID: 654764   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 at 19:53

Hairy (NT) posted:

Hey????? I past the Coast Guard radio course years ago!
If there was a VKS course it would have to be pretty simple.....how else would old buggers like yourself ever get one? LOL

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.
FollowUp 5 of 5
AnswerID: 387073   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 17:53

Karen & Geoff replied:

Hi Bruce, there is also VH2RGC. They are good for social chit chat to a certain degree. Has different frequencies from VKS737. Also a good idea to be in VKS737 as well though. If you want to be able to use the phone on your HF, we are with the Bush Radio Radio Data as well. We use the phone side of ours wwhen we are in the outback and have no service on the mobile. It is just good to know we can ALWAYS call out if we need too.
Karen

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Us 2.
Life is grand when you are about to travel Australia, where time does not exist!

VKS737: Mobile 2045
Selcall 2045
Reply 2 of 12
FollowupID: 654628   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 18:12

Isuzumu posted:

Thanks Karen will check those out

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Cheers Bruce
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 654631   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 18:16

Karen & Geoff posted:

Bruce VKS737 have a good website too, check that out and it will have joining instructions on there as well.
Karen

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Us 2.
Life is grand when you are about to travel Australia, where time does not exist!

VKS737: Mobile 2045
Selcall 2045
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 654641   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 19:31

Member - Rod N (QLD) posted:

There is also the HF Radio Club.HF Radio Club
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 387074   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 18:06

Richard Kovac replied:

Isuzumu

I would say no , land sea big difference.. :D

There are many difference club/memberships you could join
I have VKS-737, HFoZ, & Radtel all 3 issue differance license's or part of, by becoming a member of something you get to share in there licence.

Check out this like ACMA

If you join a club there is no exam, there plenty of people out there that don't know what to do....

Richard

Camped under Mt Leisler
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Still Getting There
Reply 3 of 12
FollowupID: 654630   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 18:13

Isuzumu posted:

Thanks will check out that site

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Cheers Bruce
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 387075   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 18:12

dbish replied:

Well Bruce you should be well qualified to operate a HF radio. Ive just done that Marine radio operation course & test took 2 days. Youre certainly expected to know a fairbit. Cheers Daryl.
Reply 4 of 12
FollowupID: 654632   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 18:29

Isuzumu posted:

Thanks Darly with the way things change these days I was not sure

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Cheers Bruce
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AnswerID: 387085   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 19:55

Member - John (Vic) replied:

I to have a RROCP but mine does not cover Marine HF only VHF.
The rules govening access to VKS etc don't require training.

For 4wd use then VKS is all you will need look here for VKS737

What HF did you buy?
I hope its type approved or you may have severely limited your ability to use it for 4x4 and travel.

Cheers

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Reply 5 of 12
FollowupID: 654650   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 20:18

Isuzumu posted:

Hi John, I brought a Barrett 950 with auto antena, paid $850 I think that its a pretty good price.

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Cheers Bruce
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 654652   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 20:26

Richard Kovac posted:

Very good price, mine was around $3000.00. lets hope it's not stolen as they will have it's sell number listed..

Richard
Camped under Mt Leisler
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FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 654653   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 20:36

Member - John (Vic) posted:

Yep good one Bruce and as Richard said a very good price.
Plenty of guys on here with the Barret so if you need and help with it its only a click away :-)

Sort yourself out with VKS and you'll be fine if you want to join the other clubs, HF Radio Club etc then you can do that too but I find VKS to be excellent with more base stations and terrific base operators and do the job really well.

Have fun.

Cheers

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Photo 1 - Canning Stock Route - June 2009
Photo 2 - Flinders Ranges - July 2009

VKS737 - Mobile 6352 (Selcall 6352)

FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 654654   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 20:40

Isuzumu posted:

Shes all ridgy didge Richard and thanks John will check out VKS737

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Cheers Bruce
FollowUp 4 of 4
AnswerID: 387091   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 20:49

Isuzumu replied:

Just one more thing good people, did I read here some where that someone got booked for having their auto antenna mounted on their bull bar?

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Cheers Bruce
Reply 6 of 12
FollowupID: 654668   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 21:35

Member - Allan B (QLD) posted:


Bruce, take a look at thread 72610 re some antenna legal issues.


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Cheers, Allan

Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 654711   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 at 10:47

Isuzumu posted:

Might be a good idea if I can mount it on the back I think, thanks Allan

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Cheers Bruce
FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 654827   Submitted: Friday, Oct 16, 2009 at 07:47

RV Powerstream P/L posted:

Isumu
On the LHS of the wheel carrier you can make a bracket that allows you to mount the aerial.
If you have the auto aerial the things you need to watch is tyre size as you cannot go too far to the LHS as when you swing the tailgate you can break the taillight with the aerial base.
The inside skin of the LH mudguard well directly below the tailgate drill a hole for the cables also drill a hole below the jack mount cover and your in.

Ian
RV Powerstream P/LRV Powerstream P/L
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FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 656082   Submitted: Friday, Oct 23, 2009 at 19:56

Member - Graham H (QLD) posted:

I didnt do that with mine I hate drilling holes in good cars.

I made a mount that fitted in where the worklight goes in the Kaymar.

Ran all the wires down the unit, earthed it under one of the bolts through the bumper.
The others ran under car and into a grommet behind rear wheel Then up behind inner side panel up to the unit which was mounted on Cargo Barrier.

A bit of windscreen sealant over the grommet and bobs your uncle.

If someone wants the mount for the 9350 they can have it.

Gives about 10mm between edge of aerial and tailgate.

Make it a bit longer and you can get more clearance but did it like that to get it in the garage and u/ground carparks

Cheers
Our new home away from home
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FollowUp 4 of 4
AnswerID: 387093   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 20:55

racinrob replied:

An exam or personal licence is not compulsory Bruce but you will need to join a club to get a sel call number and access to the club's frequencies and the "Authority under Transmitter Licence".
The HF Radio Club has 12 frequencies, six base stations and offers 'phone interconnect which means you can call the base station and be connected to any land line or mobile in Oz at standard phone rates and also access to the RFD.
Joining fee $20, annual membership $65, quarterly newsletter etc. more info www.hfradioclub.com.au a good friendly club I can recommend.

Rob sel call 6678
Reply 7 of 12
AnswerID: 387098   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 21:11

Member - Mike DID replied:

To transmit on Marine or Aeronautical HF channels, you have to pass a tough exam.

To trasmit on RFDS or VKS737 HF channels, you just pay your money.

The National Party sure has clout.
Mike R
Reply 8 of 12
AnswerID: 387107   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 21:33

snapper49 replied:

I have a RROCP and its for hf/mf and vhf all marine
I believe now you can get the same rstricted for VHF only (marine)

Sorry dont know anything about land Hf so I find this thread very interesting
Reply 9 of 12
AnswerID: 387144   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 at 10:03

Member -Signman replied:

Hiya Bruce,
Which ever network you belong to (I recommend VKS737)- are the 'holders' of the license to operate on the frequencies to which they are entitled.
As a 'member' of the network, you are permitted to use those frequencies and facilities- within the parameters of that license.
You, as a member, are not required to hold a license, but must hold a membership card of the network.

Licence Authority under Section 114.(1) of the Radiocommunications Act No. 174 of 1992.

Cheers
David
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Reply 10 of 12
FollowupID: 654708   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 at 10:43

Isuzumu posted:

Thanks david

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Cheers Bruce
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 387258   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 at 23:10

Nomadic Navara replied:

To operate one of these HF sets you need to be covered by a license of or authorisation of some type. The only frequencies you are permitted to use are those on the land mobile bands. There are a few ways you can go.

1. Operate under an apparatus licence. In other words you must have your own licensed land mobile service - this is not applicable in our case.

2. Operate under a third party authorisation See this link - to do this you join one of the groups listed above and they authorise you to operate on their frequencies. They hold the licences and authorise you to operate on their network.

3. Operate under an Outpost service license See this link - this is applicable if you are not covered by one of the above. This licences you to communicate with the RFDS network.

If you are not covered by one of the above licenses then you are not permitted to have an HF transmitter in your possession. There are penalties for having this equipment in your possession if it can be operated and you do not have a licence.

PeterD
Reply 11 of 12
AnswerID: 388414   Submitted: Friday, Oct 23, 2009 at 17:34

Isuzumu replied:

I have installed my HF and have picked up VKS 737 on 8022.0 Hz and also listened to HF Radio Club on 7899.0 Hz. Now I would like to do a radio check, but as yet have not joined an organization (not sure as to which one I want to join yet) so is there anyway I can do this?

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Cheers Bruce
Reply 12 of 12
FollowupID: 656058   Submitted: Friday, Oct 23, 2009 at 18:18

Member - John (Vic) posted:

Bruce thats a problem, see the reply above by Peter for details on licencing your set.

Canning Stock Route - June 2009
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Photo 1 - Canning Stock Route - June 2009
Photo 2 - Flinders Ranges - July 2009

VKS737 - Mobile 6352 (Selcall 6352)

FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 656072   Submitted: Friday, Oct 23, 2009 at 19:33

Isuzumu posted:

See what you mean John....do as I am told, feels like I am still in the Army hahahahahah.
This is why I first put the thread up...with my Maritime license I do not have to register the radio but have my RROCP which you do not get out of a Corn Flakes packet.
I do not mind paying the fee to the organization for the good work they do, but to be told that I can not have a radio in my possession with out being a member of an organization is bull sh't, not having a go at you mate.
So off to join VKS 737 Cheers

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Cheers Bruce
FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 656079   Submitted: Friday, Oct 23, 2009 at 19:48

Member - John (Vic) posted:

Bruce on all my charter boats The radios on board were surveyed and a ships licence issued as a separate issue.
It was a requirement of the vessels survey that the Master in charge of the vessel held the appropriate Radio Operators Certificate to suit the radios on board.
A situation you are more than familiar with I'm sure.

No different in this instance, you hold a radio operators certificate but the set still remains unlicensed.
Its just the way the legislation is laid down I'm afraid, its not the fault of VKS or any other "club" :-)

Canning Stock Route - June 2009
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Photo 1 - Canning Stock Route - June 2009
Photo 2 - Flinders Ranges - July 2009

VKS737 - Mobile 6352 (Selcall 6352)

FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 656089   Submitted: Friday, Oct 23, 2009 at 20:23

Isuzumu posted:

No worries John, its just the way they word the sitution get a license before buying the product. As i said no problems with VKS or other clubs.

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Cheers Bruce
FollowUp 4 of 4
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