Question for an Oz Amateur from a US Amateur
Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 14, 2005 at 23:15
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Freddyo
I'm a licensed amateur in the US (KD7CMZ) and am visiting Oz for a year of poking around in the bush in a vehicle equipped with an Icom F7000. I am joining VKS737 which comes with a license to comm on their freqs. I qualify for an Aus Intermediate license. Any amateurs out there that can give some feedback regarding whether an Oz license would be useful or needed? Thanks.
Reply By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2005 at 23:54
Wednesday, Sep 14, 2005 at 23:54
Freddyo, While joining VKS737 will take care of you communciations around Oz should you have an emergency this will not enable you to chat to your mates back in the States or other Hams worldwide. An Oz Intermediate license gives you access to all the available amateur freqs, only you can decide if this is useful to you.
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Follow Up By: gramps - Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 13:29
Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 13:29
Ray,
Hmmmmm ..... black hole gone, Aussie flag, Hilux by Toyota. We eagerly await the unveiling :)
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 13:47
Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 13:47
Yes
well after numerous complaints....
It the same old Lux Gramps, a real Lux with solid front end, nothing new, you didn't see my previous pics.
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Follow Up By: gramps - Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 13:52
Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 13:52
No worries Ray. I did see your rig pics previously but it seemed like the Black Hole had been here forever. As long as it keeps going and gets you from A to B what more do we need.
Regards
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 14:45
Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 14:45
I usually trade them in for something else when the tread gets down but this Lux has grown on me I might just hang on to it....be nice if it had some more grunt but it doesn't concern me too much.
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 10:15
Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 10:15
go the turbo ray or the V6 Commodore donk? or get a XR6 Turbo from work?
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 11:13
Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 11:13
I think I'll just live with it bruce, it gets me there in the end. I don't want the hassle that bleep in around swapping engines can bring.
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Sep 19, 2005 at 16:24
Monday, Sep 19, 2005 at 16:24
agree there. dudes doing engine swaps left right center, too much like hard work to me!
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Reply By: Member - Raymond - Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 08:36
Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 08:36
Hi Freddyo
Check with your local Amateur Radio Club in the US as I am sure that there is a reciprocal licensing agreement. I have used my Australian Licence while in the US. VKS737 certainly gives great coverage and assistance to travellers in Oz.
Ray
VK3CRK
ICOM 706
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Reply By: Footloose - Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 09:46
Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 09:46
We also have several travellers nets on 20 and 15m that are excellent. They will do messages etc and start around lunchtime/morning tea time (depending on which side of the country you're in at the time). Makes for an enjoyable break in the driving. Whist the 737 mob are excellent, if you're a ham nothing beats a chat :)
Have a great trip.
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Follow Up By: hl - Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 13:00
Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 13:00
20m travellers net
14.116 0300 UTC, check-ins during the preceding hour.
15m
21.185
Cheers
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Reply By: Wisey (NSW) - Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 19:25
Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 19:25
Freeddyo
I know sfa about the radio stuff so I can't contribute to your Q?
In your rig pic, you drive into the container and exit the vehicle how????? It looks very ssssssqueezy in there. Most of the fittings/accessories I've not heard of but it sounds impressive and it sure looks the goods.
Enjoy the time downunder.
Andy
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Reply By: Freddyo - Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 20:06
Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 20:06
Thanks all for the responses. My main concern was the the three month's lead time the Australia Communication Authority (ACA) said in their publications that they needed. I decided to dig a little deeper.
I called the ACA this morning and, contrary to their info on the web, found out that I could walk up to the counter of their local office and get my license. Their
Sydney office turned out to be two blociks from my hotel. So, joy, I now am the proud possessor of an Australian call
sign – VK2JDQ. Now I just need my rig which is somewhere between here and Taiwan. Sigh...
Re the pic of my rig in the container, they use a "tugger" or
fork lift to get it in and out. It has no power as it sits and the master switch is in an (inaccessable) side compartment.
VK2JDQ clear.
Sorry, just practicing. :-)
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Follow Up By: PandJ - Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 10:12
Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 10:12
Hi Freddyo,
Ok on the VK2 call, The travellers nets will be handy to u whilst travelling in Ozzie.
Both nets are daily, run by VK6 boys. The 15 mtr (21.185) net starts at 0100 utc, Not sure on the 20mtr (14.116) starting time.
Enjoy you holiday.
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 10:21
Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 10:21
The 20 metre travellers' net operates on 14.116 each and every day of the year. The actual net commences at 0300 UTC, but most stations call in during the hour preceding this.
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