Codan 8558???

Submitted: Friday, Feb 04, 2005 at 23:17
ThreadID: 20125 Views:5373 Replies:6 FollowUps:4
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Looking at buying a 2nd hand HF radio or a new satphone. Inquired about a HF unit today - a Codan 8558. However when I do a google search for this model the results indicate that the 8558 is in fact the auto-tuning antenna rather than the HF unit itself. The owner knows nothing about HF's (unit was/is already in a vehicle he recently purchased). He tells me the antenna and main box both have 8558 on them but the remote head has 8533 on it. Does any of this make sense??? BTW, asking price is $1200ono with the auto-tuning antenna and all in working order. Owner isn't quite sure what frequencies it has so possibly would have to have the VKS737 and RFDS frequencies programmed in. Comments please.

:o) Melissa
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Reply By: Member - Davoe (WA) - Friday, Feb 04, 2005 at 23:29

Friday, Feb 04, 2005 at 23:29
now your talking! we use codans where I work you will have no problems getting them fixed or finding people that know how to program them etc etc dont know that model specifically but the price sounds ok because those auto tune ariels are ex$$ our work ones seem to be able to get just about any channel you want as the arial just tunes into the frequency it has well over 100 channels on it. we use sat phones as well and often find voice quality is better with these especially with the hands free unit. However I think someone such as yourself may find the social nature of HF is more to your liking
AnswerID: 96734

Reply By: gu bob - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 00:46

Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 00:46
Hi Melissa
did a check of mine and the model numbers are
8558 auto tune antenna
8525 radio main box
8530 remote head
I think 8511 is the antenna controller for the auto tune antenna,but mine has gone missing and will have to locate another one. you can still use a multi tap antenna if the auto tune goes bung.
the model codan prefix No. 85xx refers to the year 85 being 1985 model.
There is a lot of codan gear over in the west you can keep an eye on ebay,you might get one cheaper.
Gerald Muscat ph 08-80881242 in Broken Hill he repairs and set up the radio's for the Flying Doctor Service & Telstra, you can give him a call, he can help you out with your questions.
When you do get your codan, they hate voltage drop, if you get the original 12v feed for it ,it is quite large . A loud squark out of the speaker and an "E1" fault on the display is low voltage just something to remember if you have trouble
regards
Bob

AnswerID: 96740

Follow Up By: davidta - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 09:17

Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 09:17
Hi

The 8558 is the autotuner & the 8511 is the A/T controller that was used with the 8525 A & B radio's asyou said.
The 8558 can also be used with the 8528 Radio's as well, where they don't need the 8511 controller.
The 8525 & 8528 Radio's are programmed by EEPROM, so are not so easy to reprogram & requires someone with an EPROM programmer not just a computer. As such, reprogramming can cost more than on a more modern set.
Hope this helps

David
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FollowupID: 355428

Reply By: Grumblebum and Dragon (WA) - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 10:14

Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 10:14
Hi Melissa,
Look at the net present value cost comparision between a sat phone and HF on this site under 'Communications' comes out with the HF way out in front over a theoretical ten year ownership period.

Also work looking at www.bushcomm.com.au Based in Perth and specialises in 2nd hand HF radios.

Regards

John
AnswerID: 96763

Follow Up By: Member - Melissa - Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 02:00

Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 02:00
Thanks for your comments John. I have already looked at the cost comparison between sat phone and HF that you refer to. However, I believe the satphone costing is out of date and does not reflect the falling price of satphones or plans. We chased up our own prices and found them considerably less than was stated here (must mention this to David & Michelle). Undisputed though is that satphones do have much higher ongoing costs than HF. In an ideal world we'd love to have both Satphone and HF. We can see the merits of both systems and at this point our main concern is having emergency communications. Seems to me that either system will provide this in their own unique way. Which way we end up going in the short term will probably depend on which ever is the most economical to get into. Tried to contact Bushcomm recently but got a recorded message stating that they were closed for business until late Jan. Looked on their website though and am keeping an eye on their 2nd hand units.

:o) Melissa
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FollowupID: 355524

Reply By: Member - Raymond - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 14:26

Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 14:26
Hi Melissa
Also it is worth looking at a Barrett, either with auto tune or tapped verticle antenna. If the Codan has the frequencies you require then it should be fine. The Barrett is very easy to have frequencies added to it.
Regards Ray
VKS Victor 2010
AnswerID: 96796

Follow Up By: Member - Melissa - Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 02:02

Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 02:02
Hi Ray,

We're looking at a Barrett 550 tomorrow. Seem to be a popular unit. We've decided we're not fussed whether we end up with a Barrett or Codan, just looking for a good deal. Still weighing up the Satphone option too.

:o) Melissa
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FollowupID: 355525

Reply By: Gajm (VIC) - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 16:36

Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 16:36
We went thru the same thing a few months ago, ended up going for the Sat phone as we can use it outside the vehicle and take it with us on walks....Walked a few k's out on a salt lake once and we were looking at our cars in the distance thinking if anyone drove up and did anything to the cars we'd be well and truly stu ffed.
I know it's not very likely but it got me thinking.
We also grabbed the Sat phone thru telstra and just pay it off interest free, which suited out pockets at the time of going away. I still want to get an HF eventualy, for grabbing information etc, but for us the sat phone was a better option for emegrencies. Also often leave it with someone who wants to stay at camp while the other goes for a drive or to a town.
One other thing, I originaly wanted the HF first because I thought if something goes wrong, like a break down, I don't want to have to ring a town, when all I may need is someone who might be just over the hill driving past, and someone I met on a trip suggested simply having the VKS phone number and calling them, and they could call out to the people with HF's and see if assistance was available.

AnswerID: 96811

Follow Up By: Member - Melissa - Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 02:06

Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 02:06
Hi Gajm,

In an ideal world we too would like HF and satphone. Both systems have their merits. In the short term I think our decision will be based on the best deal we can get, be it HF or satphone. Either way we will have emergency communications which is our main concern. I'm interested in the interest free deal you got with Telstra. Can you please tell me more? Member message me if you prefer. Thanks.

:o) Melissa

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Reply By: Janset - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 17:19

Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 17:19
Hi Melissa.

Speak to Terry Clinch at Terlina Outbacker Aerials in Canningvale. He is a straight shooter and not full of BS. Talk to him about second hand HF Radios, Barret -v- Codan.

Barret is made here in W.A. in Bibra Lake and their after sales service is next to none. Here I speak from experience on both counts.

Regards
AnswerID: 96820

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