Mucking around and wasting time. How do I get VKS membership details

Thanks Tim

Who would ever click on a menu item that is not delineated or even shown to be a function call. Thank heavens that I got out of the software game.

Strange menu choices. But . . .

Phil

Phil,

The link has not come up correctly, you will need to copy the whole line of text up to the end of the .pdf bit and then paste that in your browser window. I'll try again....
http://www.vks737.on.net/pdfs/FORM%2001.pdf


Or alternatively, find it yourself on the VKS737.on.net site by following the directions above.

Tim

Got it Tim.

Mine came up okay.

Thanks

Now all I need to do is work out what "other" cots there are. Such as phone call patched through and so on.

It is not what I would calla friendly site.

We shall see. It appears to me to be way cheaper to stick with the satellite phone for phone calls.

Still looking at it though.

Phil

Quote "Who would ever click on a menu item that is not delineated or even shown to be a function call. Thank heavens that I got out of the software game."

This seems to be a common method of operation on web sites. There are many caravan parks where the only way of finding out their park fees is to commence to make a booking and then back out before you really commit yourself.

It's also the only way of finding out the Tasmanian ferry prices.

Like I said Peter. Not user friendly. It seems to be a missing art.

Catchya

Phil

Got another one to laugh at Peter.

I was looking for a fees etc table or document. In Policy 05 it says that fees and subscriptions are detailed in VKS-737 Radio Network Document DOC 04.

There isn't any document DOC 04 that I can find. It isn't even listed in their documents page.

I am trying to see what other fees are involved in joining and if any seniors or club membership etc are available.

I spent ages designing and developing screen layouts and menu architecture and this one is one of the worst that I have come across. And if the developers or owners are reading this then take it as constructive criticism and consider my comments in the next version.

Phil

Hi Phil

You made some negative comments on the screen layout etc of VKS and I do understand where you are coming from

you also commented on your experience/expertise in this field.........as VKS is a run on a voluntary basis and keeps its fees to the minimum to cover costs............all members and potential members need to keep in mind the limitations of comparing relatively expensive web site designs to low cost functional ones such as VKS

might I suggest that if you have this expertise and some time on your hands you could offer your services to them on a voluntary basis and see if you can be constructive and help yourself (if you join) as well as VKS and its members..... rather than post comments in the vane you did?

cheers

one long term and happy VKS memeber

Graeme

Steady down Graeme. You only know the half of it.

And you apparently missed my last sentence where I said "And if the developers or owners are reading this then take it as constructive criticism and consider my comments in the next version"

Please note the use of the phrase "constructive criticism" in my comment to the developers.

Phil

Hi Phil

No need for me to "steady down"...and I only know what was posted....not what ever the "other half is" as you put it.

Besids which I'm ok with your comments in your previous posts...I didnt refute them.....the site does have some issues

I simply made a suggestion to you to offer to help if you were willing and able thats all......it is a voluntary service and those developers are perhaps less qualified thn yourself

cheers

Fair enough. One reason I was retired is because my short term memory is not the best. And being able to manage or remember several things at one makes me incapable of writing reliable and error free code. A computer never "forgets". A program that I wrote in 1983-4 still runs error free under Windows 8. I could never acieve that level of expertise again

Cheers

Phil

Fingers are "Too slow again" ??

That looks better. We really only want the membership for emergencies. The sons are old enough to look after themselves. We don't really need all the email, GPS and SMS stuff.

The only problem is most of those that I know are either on amateur radio with the travellers nets or VKS737. While I can talk to anywhere and anyone that I wish on ham radio I cannot make "cross-network" contacts to those on a different 4WD HF system. HFradio can only talk to HFradio and VKS can only talk to VKS.

Very frustrating and quite limiting when hoping that a bloke "just down the track" is listening and may be able to help.

Phil

More bang for your $$$ with the HF Radio Club, very good Oz wide coverage with bases in Sapphire, Cobar, Alice Springs and Wiluna WA as well as links to other HF clubs.

VKE237 Sel6678

Rob.

Thanks Rob and all for the response.

We just decided not to get the radio.

Ohil

Phil,

I have had HF radio with VKS737 for several years and also Iridium satellite phone. If I was doing it again I think I would only get the phone. VKS is warm & friendly on the skeds and could be useful for information and assistance with spare parts, but there is often unclear reception due to interference and propagation issues.


As for the HF-Tel service, when I tried it the reception was poor and of course being "simplex" (one direction at a time) the called party did not comprehend the "over" call principle.


HF radio is rather old technology (I was using it in the 1950's) and even the RFDS is placing more emphasis on satellite telephones.


However an innovation is on the horizon through VKS737. See here.

I saw the stuff on telephone and emergency access. I would use the phobne direct myself.

And I am seriously looking at getting a new Yeasu ot Icom triband radio with HF, VHF and UHF in it. At least on the ham bands we have more chance of getting through on one of the travellers frequencies. There are also more hamd than remote 4wders who would pick us up.

The downside of not using 4WD HF is the "bloke down the track" thing. But there are still a lot of hams "just down the road' also>

The satphone serves us well at the moment anyway.

Cheers Allan

Phil

Technically Boobook, you are wrong.

That is the renewal cost. We are not members at this stage. I saw that also.

Try again.

Phil