HF Radio and Help for Hard-of-hearing

The Codan NGT is capable of sending text messages, but you will need to join a network that allows sending data instead of just voice and selcall.There is such a network starting up at the moment, it is called HFOZ. -Steve

Mike there are two solutions I know of

The cheap one - I’ve tried and it is effective
Buy a good set of hearing protectors with a built in FM radio (Peltor will set you back about $150) The cheap ones you can buy for about $30 won’t do the job (I’ve tried them)

Next go to an electronics shop such as Dick Smith or Strathfield and buy a FM radio transmitter for about $30 – this comes complete with a headphone plug that plugs into the headset or auxillary outlet on the radio. If your radio doesn’t have one it is only a minor job for a radio tech to fit one.

Of course if you don’t mind being hardwired to the radio buy a good headset and connect that to the radio

The expensive one – untried but possibly the most effective.
I have a set of hearing aids that cost me around $3000.
An accessory, a miniature FM radio module, or a radio loop can be purchased for these but you will have to talk to your audiologist about cost and technical requirements.

Hi Sam
As to your last request of sending and receiving text messages.
In you are a member of a recognized HF Radio Club like the VKS 737 Radio Network, as far as I am led to believe, the allocated frequencies are for voice contact only and any form of data transmission is not permitted under the licences that are issued per the Australian Communications Authority.

I may be wrong, but give them a phone call to get it straight from the horses mouth.

Cheers

Stephen

Are you interested in HF Email?
I haven't used it, but Reids radiodata are offering it. Link here.

I've used their Bushtelephone service for 5 years, and found it to be great for phoning home through the radio. If HFemail is of any use, then might be worth contacting Wayne Reid and asking about it.

Sam,

Haven't used HF since about 1996 ,when we installed a couple of UHF repeaters. Prior to that we lived with them vitrually day & night.

I'd suggest a good quality set of head phones, fitted to a outlet on the HF, as Dennis suggested. Otherwise, fitting a larger, good quality speaker, reasonably close to where you use the HF might be a good alternative.

One of the problems with HF is the other "noises" that are present, during Rx, that can muffle, or override the voice.

We used to repeat many key words, or even whole phrases, as well often spelling phonetically. I find UHF much easier to use, though many people mumble, or talk incoherently, if they are nervous.

Hooroo,
Bob.

Thanks all for your responses. I think the texting service plus some sort of wireless connection from a headphone jack on the hf receiver to the hearing aids sounds promising. I'll follow up those suggestions. Thanks again.