Thursday, Jun 11, 2009 at 14:34
Hi Footy
The point that I was making is that those that are new to the HF scene have no idea what so ever is or was involved in the starting of the VKS 737 Radio network here in South Australia for SA use only. Prior to 1993, I and any other
HF Radio user had to apply for a Mobile Outpost Radio Licence from the Australian Communications Authority. When we were granted and given a call
sign, we then had to register that call
sign with every RFDS Base that we wanted to contact. During the early 1990's, there were Government moves to scale down the base stations and do away with the log in system and to only have the frequencies of the RFDS for emergency use only.
Enter Steve Johnston on behalf of the Four Wheel Drive Clubs of South Australia, who saw that there was a need for a dedicated four wheel drive HF frequency, for members to head bush and still be able to contact other members for log in and safety messages. It is because of this time that only members in SA were only able to join this network and had to be a registered member of a Four Wheel Drive Club here in SA.
After a lot of time and money, we were granted out first frequency and our first base station in
Woomera. So successful was the SA Four Wheel Drive Association the new VKS 737 network that interstate four wheel drive clubs wanted a piece of the scene.
Like so many great things, the number of base stations, members and frequencies have grown greatly.
I am not trying to split the four wheel scene, but see red when people knock Australia's first true four wheel drive Radio Network.
Without knowing the true facts, I would like to know how many new frequencies have the other networks applied for and been granted.
Long the first and best.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
636923