Codan HF Radio

Submitted: Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 14:14

ThreadID: 45917 Views:6082 Replies:4 FollowUps:13

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MintabiePete (NSW)

G'day all ,

I have this Codan 8727 HF Radio that I have had years , its a 100 watter , and was a good one in its time , when I was looking for opal and mainly just used it in case of emergencies in case I got stuck in the scrub . I can recall though that I used to use it to access Radphone going through the Flying Doctor Base in the Alice , and it used to be very expensive for calls , but at least I could use it to call someone , If I had to . But mainly I used it in case of emergencies .

I still pay for the Outpost Radio Liscence , and still from time to time do a check on the emergency channel with closest flying doctor base , but thats as far as I use it these days , its still getting used in case of emergencies when I go down to Adelaide , and these days is about the only time I put the Aerial on the bullbar .

I have since learnt that I could perhaps get VKS737 put on , and that I could use it for communication , just as I used to do with the Radphone . How would I be able to use this ? or is this HP radio a bit long in the tooth for the VKS network .

Thanks

Peter in Broken Hill

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Reply By: Footloose - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:10

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:10

The 8727 isn't a terribly "new" model, and I can't quite remember if it has selcall and is synthesized or uses crystals.
If it uses crystals. it can have extra channels installed or existing ones modified, but its not cheap. Around $70 a channel is a guide.
If its synthesized, it can be reprogrammed for 737, at around $50.
Hopefully your set has at least 5 channels as thats how many the 737 network have, although you can get by with two.
If it doesn't have selcall then it can be added by getting a Jenai selcall mic, around $350.
If it already has selcall then you're in luck, as the 737 network uses selcall, and so do it's members.
Don't forget that to use the 737 frequencies you'll probably need a new whip aerial...and they aren't cheap either.

Hope this info is of some value to you

AnswerID: 242533

Follow Up By: MintabiePete (NSW) - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:03

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:03

Thanks Footloose ,
I bought this 8727 second hand off Codan Agents in the Alice , and I dont think it was all that old then , and as far as I know it has crystals , and at the time they cost $100 each to fit , so looks like they have gone down in price . As far as I know it has not got selcall , but has 2020 chatter channel , 5410, 6950, 6890 all RFDS channels , I mainly used to use 6950 Alice Springs . I do know that not long after I got it to replace the previous Codan that I had ,That wasnt worth fixing , I was quoted for a Satellite Phone that was just starting to come on the market $7950 , or as they told me at the time , you get $50 back from $8000 , they must have thought I was on Opal at the time , needless to say I used the Codan 8727 and never ever got a Satellite Phone .

Things have got a little bit more complicated than what they were , well in my head anyway , so I will take note of Doug and ring Codan and get them to handle it :)

Cheers

Peter

FollowupID: 503531

Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:16

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:16

Peter, yes, things are much more complicated these days.
For a start, Codan don't like servicing their older stuff, due to the spare parts and warrenty issues.
The Codan is still a very good set, but its expensive to re kit out as mentioned. For the sort of money it could cost you to do that, you could pick up a remote head 8525A , and that doesnt use crystals (easier to change things around..just pop a different eprom in it) and they usually have selcall included. Then you could probably sell yours on Ebay, thus keeping the total changeover cost down.

However, if you intend to use it often, and want 737, RFDS , weather etc etc very little is better than a Codan 9323 with a 9350 autotune. The problem is that they still fetch around $1800. They really are an excellent set for the 4wder. I've used one for years. But if you could possibly stretch that far, I highly recommend them.

Anyway, just some further thoughts for you.

FollowupID: 503538

Reply By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:13

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:13

Take it into a Codan/Radio dealer Technician and they should be able set it up for you
or call 08 8305 0311 Codan Customer Support

For VKS-737
www.vks737.on.net/

you will all about VKS in there plus a list of the 5 frequencies needed

Terlin here in Perth have a 5 tapped antenna just for VKS-737 at $269.00
I just got one last week

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Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:18

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:18

Doug, there are also some quite good 737 whips availiable on Ebay for around the $200 mark. I use a few of them in my business, and can recommend the guy who sells them.

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Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:29

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:29

EBAY for $200 , mate for an extra $69 I got a brand new one , direct from at Terlins shop, walked outside took the old one off and screwed the new one on and away. No worries about losing the $200 in a dodgy deal ,

Doug

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Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:36

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:36

Doug, actually these are new. And there's nothing dodgy about the vendor. As I said, there's no way I'd pay more than I had to.
But each to his own.
You're in the west, and Terry's nice and handy
I'm in the east, and this bloke's nice and handy.

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Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:44

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:44

Fair enough eh, but this old prick's to cunning , I been bitten once back in 1974 , never again , anyhow it's a tax claim for me too .
Heard too many stories about Ebay , yes you might but stuff for years and never have problems, Yes I could get a Garmin Quest and Nuvi on Ebay, no warranty, no aftersales backup service, I get all my GPS requirements through Johnny Appleseed in Brisbane, and I get top servive from them ,

Doug

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Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:55

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:55

Doug, I hear what you're saying.
I've been buying and selling on Ebay for around 5 years. I've been bitten twice in hundreds of transactions, and now check each buyer and seller as carefully as possible. After a while you get to know the regulars, many of whom I've met or had dealings with.
In fact I've met a lot of nice people through Ebay, and the bloke you bought your aerial from also deals there.
Bottom line is do your homework, as you obviously have done.
Deal with people who you know, or have had recommended by others you trust.
I'm a bit old fashioned, a fossil, and my word is my bond. This is an outdated concept, I know, but that's the way I am. And yes, it costs me from time to time.
I don't hesitate to use Ebay, but its full of tricks and traps home.iprimus.com.au/jimshire/scam.html
It's a great resource, but you have to be careful.

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Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 16:09

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 16:09

Footloose
I hear what you're saying also, and I see you been bitten . I can't be bitten by any Ebay'er , because I will not put myself in that position.
Let me say though i did try Ebay once when in Mt Isa , I had a Garmin 16mb card for sale so I advertised it on Ebay, I got a buyer right there in Mt Isa, a bloke that deals and wheels on it all the time, he had a unit that he reackoned it would fit, he paid me the $50 , 3 days later he says he can't get it to work because of the Garmin 25 letter Code, I didn't think at the time but it had nothing to do with the card it was the map combination/GPS he was trying to load onto it , you can put any Garmin maps to any card but to get to work in a GPS it has to be matched with the GPS serial No and a Code obtained from Garmin, Anyhow I give him his bloody money back ,just sold the card recently along with the old GPS .

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Follow Up By: MintabiePete (NSW) - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:11

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:11

Doug ,

Thats what I will do then , I will give Codan a ring tomorrow and they may have an agency here in Broken Hill to set me on the right way . I could just use it the same way I always have , as a safeguard just in case I break down , but the idea of using it with VKS-737 and Radtel appeals to me , so thanks for all the info :)

Cheers

Peter

FollowupID: 503536

Reply By: LCRUZA (VIC) - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 16:47

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 16:47

For your Radphone replacement have a look at RADTEL. It costs around $110/year and $1/min and they give a discount to 737 members.
Ron

AnswerID: 242551

Follow Up By: MintabiePete (NSW) - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:54

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:54

Thanks Ron , I will certainly look into this :)

Cheers

Peter

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Follow Up By: Stu050 - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 21:15

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 21:15

Peter,
Not sure that you would be able to use Radtel with your 8727. The radio would need to be telcall enabled.

Regards
Stu

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Reply By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:31

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:31

Peter
I should mention , if you get a VKS-737 Licence you don't need the Govt' licence to operate on VKS

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Follow Up By: MintabiePete (NSW) - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:53

Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 19:53

Ha Ha you must be Psychic Doug , that was my next question , my outback radio liscence is just about due . What about Radtel , do they have the same setup as paying as VKS-737 ?

Thanks

Peter

FollowupID: 503553