One for the Tech types on HF

HI.
If you are reffering to a 2 Metre Band radio, it is not in the HF spectrum, it is VHF & probably FM not SSB.
It is designed as an Amateur Radio set. Amateur (or Ham) radio's are not type approved for comercial use. i.e if you had an Amateur HF radio, it would be illegal to use it on for example VKS737, RFDS etc.
Try ICOM land mobile HF (not Amateur), Barrett, Codan, QMac etc.

Vince,

There are basically only two reliable brands of HF radios. Codan has been around for many years and you will be able to buy models starting with the prefix 6,7,8 and 9 and well as the latest NGT. Prices start from around $150 second hand up to $4000. Bear in mind that the earlier models do not have strong transmitters but work just as well. I have 6924 which I have had since the 1970's. I do not know much about Barrett but by all accounts they are good sets and normally a tad cheaper than Codan. Both manufacturers are Australian.

Once you have your radio you will need a licence from the Government to operate your set which costs around $30? per year or you can join up with VKS737, the four wheel drive channel, for a fee of around $70. This fee includes your operators licence, I think? I am joining up soon as my radio is in the workshop at the moment getting the channel fitted.

Hope this info helps.

Cheers

Hi Vince
I own a Barrett 950 which I am very happy with as it allows me to use both the commercial frequencies such as VKS and also the Amateur Frequencies which Codan do not allow in the later rigs. If I was purely after VKS737 and RFDS I would seriously look at Qmac, it is 50 watts which is ample on HF and is a much smaller Radio. It is also Australian made and would
http://qmac.radio
Regards Ray

Try Qmac on http://www.qmac.com/
WA-made (like Barrett).
They are quite small units, but as far as I know, don't have a remote head, which means the whole unit, while small, has to fit somewhere under/around your dash, and (in my opinion) makes it a bit clumsy. Some people don't like the red led display; most would prefer green or amber (they may have changed this by now)
They are technically very good, the 50w pep output is down on the opposition's 100w, but this is not a major disadvantage (it's only 3dB down).
Definitely worth a visit.
Gerry

I've had a QMac HF 90 with auto tune antenna for about 5 years. A very good set. I have used it all around Australia and it worked a treat with the Telstra Radphone Direct Dial service when it was operational. The set is small enough to go in my overhead console along with the other radios.

You can also get get a portable setup for the radio as well where it can be used in the portable mode using a long wire antenna. My parents have done a number of trips around Australia using the set in the portable mode very successfully.

QMac don't sell to the public, they go through retailers. Try emailing Allcom Communications allcom@allcom.com.au. That is where I bought mine.

Australian Communications Authority Licence now $35.60 if required. VKS 737 is at http://www.vks737.on.net/ and membership is $66 for 4WD Club members and $77 otherwise. Membership of this Network carries inbuilt ACA licensing for their 5 frequencies only.

Larry

Hi Vince
Give this crowd a call they were very helpful when I had problems with the Radio while I was away and they gave the Qmac quite a rap
Central Cummunications
Ray