Who knows how the RFDS emergency button works on your HF radio?

G'day Russell, Just got my licence renewal yesterday to beable to use the RFDS FREQUENCIES the renewal is $35 This doesn't allow you to use the SOTA channels as this is for school lessons.(school of the air) but if the Pootrol broke down and you couldn't use the VKS ones I would be useing the RFDS ones to get me out of trouble or into it. (Licences from ACA)

Thanks Paul.............

Hi Roachie,

My understanding of the HF radio is that you are only allowed to use the frequencies of which you are licensed. By being a VKS 737 member, you can use the 5 VKS 737 frequencies as authorised by their rules ie. not in scheds time, announce handle first etc... If a RFDS member, you can use their frequencies under their rules. Same for Radtel etc...

While you technically cannot use RFDS frequencies, you are authorised to do so in an emergency. In fact, you are allowed to use any frequencies in an emergency I believe.

Thus while you can "chat" on VKS 737 at appropriate times (if a member), you cannot use RFDS unless an emergency. As for Radtel etc.., you cannot "chat" on these frequencies either.

I hope thats right because that is my understanding when I am allowed to use my HF set. I have only ever transmitted on VKS 737 frequencies and certainly hope I never need RFDS frequencies.

As for the emergency buttons, I notice you have the Barrett 550 as well. I think the red "2182" button simply is a priority button for the 2182 frequency (basic emergency frequency) while the red "alarm" button is a beacon call on 2182 frequency. Don't have the manual to confirm that, but thats my recollection of it. Makes me think how well I could actually use the HF in an emergency?

While the HF is IMHO far more versatile than a satphone, definetly takes more knowledge to use it. I carry a laminated chart of all the VKS 737/ RFDS bases and frequencies in my glovebox. One cannot remember all the different selcall and beacon call id's and frequencies without it. But is good to be able to talk to VKS base when in the bush and give a position. Never feel totally alone.

Cheers

Captain

in a EMERGENCY you may use whatever channel you like
you dont have to be a member of any organization

cheers VKS-737- Wiskey 6172

Roachie, you are able to talk direct to the RFDS Broken hill base or the WA base (forget the name of it) through any VKS737 base. Every VKS737 base has a special selcall number which when you transmit will telephone connect you to the RFDS automatically. Have a look at the vks737 website and look for the network map where all the selcall numbers are listed, print it out and carry it in your vehicle.

The network map can be a bit tricky to find so here's the link.
You'll find on the right hand side of it the selcall numbers for linking to the RFDS.

http://www.vks737.on.net/pdfs/basescontact.pdf

Thanks everybody for that useful info.
I wasn't sure whether my HF would even be "wired" to use those channels, but it seems I could in an emergency.
Cya later

You might be able to use those other channels, but I wonder if the emergency button works on those channels. In a real emergency I would prefer if all the flashing lights and bells and whistles were going off somewhere.

From memory you have to hold the button down for a few seconds too!

cheers

Eq.

Eq, may not be any bells or lights but I've seen it in action and it's pretty damn quick straight through to the RFDS base operator.

Sounds a bit mickey mouse to me when the emergency button calls someone who tells you to go to another frequency to call someone else.

Equinox - yes, you're right you need to hold it down for 15-20 seconds - forgot to add that bit.