Codan 8558???
Submitted: Friday, Feb 04, 2005 at 23:17
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Member - Melissa
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
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
FollowupID:
355428
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
FollowupID:
355526