VKS-737 gets the job done

Submitted: Friday, May 18, 2007 at 13:48

ThreadID: 45616 Views:2640 Replies:3 FollowUps:5

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Member - Doug T (W.A)

Yesterday evening during the Adelaide Sked I was in a Rest Area about 40klm North of Wuben WA when the Operator tried to make contact with W** with an Urgent message, W** did hear Adelaide but could not make the contact , I tried a relay then Lost Adelaide, someone else in the Far North of SA successfully relayed the message about the Shark Bite (on the news) to the victims relatives somewhere out in the Outback to return Home ,
Well done VKS

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Reply By: Footloose - Friday, May 18, 2007 at 15:51

Friday, May 18, 2007 at 15:51

My first experience with them was listening to them connecting a guy in a remote area with a very sick child, to a doctor. He was able to reassure the guy that his child was very sick, but that it shouldn't be life threatening.
I put myself in that man's position and joined soon afterwards.

AnswerID: 240790

Reply By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Friday, May 18, 2007 at 15:56

Friday, May 18, 2007 at 15:56

Adelaides a funny station. It booms throough often better than perth from WA but is difficult to get recieved clearly from

AnswerID: 240796

Reply By: Olcoolone (SA) - Friday, May 18, 2007 at 20:16

Friday, May 18, 2007 at 20:16

It just goes to prove the importance of the VKS network and hands up on this forum who are members of the VKS network.

Every vehicle going away should have HF......too many people think I don't need it, whats going to happen to me or the other one.....if we need help someone with a sat phone or HF radio will come along and we will use there one.

But why doesn't the Govt. help them out with money , the VKS network does a fantastic job for nothing only our low membership fee.

When the put the price up a couple of years ago there was a hugh out cry about how expensive it was and all these people were not going the renew there membership.

My life is worth more then $90 a year

Regards Richard

AnswerID: 240872

Follow Up By: blue one - Friday, May 18, 2007 at 20:38

Friday, May 18, 2007 at 20:38

Well said

Cheers

FollowupID: 501780

Follow Up By: Stu050 - Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 08:49

Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 08:49

Agree entirely.

I have been asked on numerous occasions why I still use HF?
My reply is always the same. While a satphone is good for point to point communications, it may take some time to get help happening.

With HF, and the VKS network, there may be help just over the next ridge. In addition, the road condition reports are invaluable, and usually the most accurate. I also find it very interesting to listen to the afternoon skeds, and find out where the members are reporting in from.

Hats off to VKS and all the volunteer operators.

FollowupID: 501840

Follow Up By: tasgareth - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 12:58

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 12:58

Just wondering what the cost of getting into HF is ?
How do you become a member of the VKS network ?
I was going to rely on a sat phone, but point well taken that help might be just over the ridge and easily available
Cheers
TasG

FollowupID: 502332

Follow Up By: Stu050 - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 14:06

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 14:06

TasG,
The cost of a new HF and a new satphone is about the same, however a HF will outlast the satphone by years.

Keep an eye out on ebay, or other suction sites, one can occasionally find a recent model Codan or Barrett HF with autotune antenna for roughly half the cost of a new unit.

Units are also available for hire, if you only require them for a short period of time, the hire also covers 12 months membership to the VKS network
Hire and sales
home.iprimus.com.au/jimshire/

VKS website
www.vks737.on.net/

Direct dial telephone is also available on some of the recent models of HF, which will enable you to make telephone calls from your HF radio.

Radtel website

www.radtelnetwork.com.au/

Hope this helps

Stu

FollowupID: 502337