HF Radio question.

The QMAC is very expensive despite being very basic - e.g. no Voice Squelch.

It's main advantage is that it's tiny and it draws much less current than Codan or Barrett.

Hi Lionel,
Yes the good old HF Radio is the most reliable long range communications for outback travel. I would highly recommend joining the VKS 737 Radio Network. They have bases all over Australia and their help and advise is second to none.

The Q-mac HF radios have been around for a few years now and I have not heard of any bad reports on them. From what I have heard about them, they were a very small compact unit, with a DIN size head unit.

I myself have a 15 year old Codan. Purchased it new and still have the old style tap antenna. Works fine for me when we are in remote locations, and have had no need to upgrade to a new unit.

Cheers

Stephen

Hi Lionel. Yes the Qmacs are a small HF rig that are well made. They do have several drawbacks for the average HF network user.
Power output. 50watts decreasing with frequency. The average Barrett or Codan has 100watts pretty well across the HF range.
No mute...I seem to remember that this was built into the genuine external speaker...an optional extra ?
They are tiny but don't have a remote mount, so they have to be mounted up front.
The number of places to get them fixed properly is far less than the other brands.

http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZunkerdunk

G'day Loinel A.
I've got 2 Q-Macs and found them to be exceptional units with the long wire supplied with the minipack kit. However they do seem to be not quite as good for transmitting when using the tapped whip antenna. Receiving is still fine but where I live (Weipa FNQ) I can get through to Alice Springs on the longwire but not the tapped whip however I can always get through to Charters Towers on either.
Cheers
Curly.
P.S. Footy; what's a remote mount. Thought it was something I did when SWMBO was away!!!

I have a Barrett...can't fault it and it is around 10 years old now...also they are manufactured here in WA (Bibra Lake) and their response to any queries or parts is second to none........they are exported around the world..army, UN etc

I needed a new auto tune antennae ...not the antennea's fault (that is another story)...their helpfullnes and advice on mounting, checking things out etc was 100%

regards
bungarra

I have not had much experience with civilian HF radios so I won't comment here on that. Just some helpful advice on when you do buy one.

We are obviously resticted in where the atenna goes as 4wders (read this as never ideal). The most important part of your HF comms is having a good earth. You will be amazed at the difference this will make.

Cheers,