HF Multi Tap Antennas Again

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:00

ThreadID: 55703 Views:2237 Replies:7 FollowUps:9

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Kev & Darkie

I can get hold of a second hand Multi Tap Antenna for my HF but it does not have the RFDS freq 2020 but has the VKS ones that I need plus another couple.

Should I wait and get one with the RFDS freq also or will I get by without it. As I should be able to get assistance throught the VKS freqs (I hope).

Advice please

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Reply By: Member -Signman - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:10

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:10

Just ask- how often will you be using 2020...I suggest Zilch..
Even with the VKS frequencies- you'll be using Ch2 (8022) possibly 85% of the time- and a few occasions Ch1 (5455).
Even if you really need the RFDS services- the VKS network has (almost) direct access to RFDS.

AnswerID: 293581

Follow Up By: Kev & Darkie - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:15

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:15

Signman,

Having Zilch HF experience I thought I would ask the question as I had a feeling that the VKS freqs would be able to assist if necessary, and your reply has confirmed it.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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FollowupID: 559230

Follow Up By: Member -Signman - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:35

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:35

Hey Kev,
When you get the gear all setup...Don't be afraid to try it out and call into any of the Bases for a radio check- let the Operator know it's a new installation- and that you're a new operator.
The Op. will give you all the help. ( A few of them even lurk on this Forum).
Check with the VKS Base Sched. times (different for Summer/ Winter). You soon get the hang of which Base is useable for your locations.
Also, please teach your co-driver how the system works!! (Just in case)..
HF Comms can be very flukey. You may have an unreadable copy and within 10 mins. it's almost as clear as..
Any probs. or querys let me know.
Catch ya on Adelaide Base Sunday arvo. scheds...

FollowupID: 559239

Reply By: age - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 15:26

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 15:26

Kev

From when all our work trucks were fitted with HF, none of the whips ever had 2020 taps, but it was engraved into the very bottom of the base of the whip, suggesting that with the tapping wire removed was the suitable configuration for 2020. Why not just carry a ground long wire for 2020 - I was trying to find the correct length from our field manual, but cannot locate it - I am sure one of the HF guys on here would be able to tell you what length to use for 2020. Simple, cheap and portable and you only have to plug in when 2020 is required and use existing whip for other frequencies

Cheers

A

AnswerID: 293589

Follow Up By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:22

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:22

My multi tap is similar, to use 2020, simply unplug the external wire.
Shane

FollowupID: 559330

Reply By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 16:16

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 16:16

Fairly sure 20 20 isnt an RFDS channel as such but a chat chanel . The bases run off a variety of other frequencys

AnswerID: 293593

Follow Up By: Stu & "Bob" - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 17:20

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 17:20

RFDS (QLD) Frequencies

2020 is the secondary night frequency for Cairns, Charleville and Mt. Isa bases.

Probably should be minimal cost to get this frequency added to your whip.

FollowupID: 559266

Reply By: Kiwi & "Mahindra" - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 16:45

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 16:45

you know my number....get a phone and ring! Ill send ya help!!hahahaha!!

AnswerID: 293600

Follow Up By: Kev & Darkie - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 18:17

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 18:17

You would probably send them the other way ;)

Russell Coight:
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 17:56

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 17:56

Yep - we do "lurk" don't we Dave :-o) .......... could we add for Kev that IF he has selcall fitted to his HF, he can radphone any RFDS base, via any VKS base - might be most useful in-between VKS sked sessions - otherwise, during skeds, direct contact with VKS staff might be more effective overall in instances of drama outback !

AnswerID: 293622

Follow Up By: Kev & Darkie - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 18:20

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 18:20

Darian,

Have no selcall so would have to be in direct contact to get any assistance if needed.

I might just add that unit is just to get me started and when mastered I will be upgrading to a more current unit (if that makes sense), then this unit I have now will be given away like it was to me by Footloose.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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FollowupID: 559281

Follow Up By: Footloose - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:06

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:06

Kev, you have email .

FollowupID: 559321

Follow Up By: Kev & Darkie - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:12

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:12

One comming your way Footie

Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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FollowupID: 559322

Reply By: obee - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:22

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:22

Have a look for the brand name. It will have been made here in Australia and they can add taps to suit. I have an amatuer arial made in WA and I know where they are but you might be a long way off. Check the yellow pages cos there must be other makers.

Just remembere mine is a Terlin and they are down in Cannington.

I paid a hundred bucks for it years ago should be twic or more the price now

Owen

AnswerID: 293662

Reply By: techo2oz - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 21:19

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 21:19

Kev,
not sure if it is of any use, but I have a whip here with the frequencies 3780, 4567, 4645 and 7999. Absolutely no use to me so free to a good home if someone can use it.

Peter

AnswerID: 293676