HF Radio - No traffic picked up
Submitted: Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 11:29
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shanegu6
Just finished installing a second hand Barrett 2050 into a GU patrol. Scrolling through all channels and frequencies and the only channel i pick up is radio australia. Shouldn't I be able to pick up other channels and listen in. I can't transmit yet as i'm waiting on my VKS737
membership to come through (expect tomorrow).
HF OZ and VKS737 are both installed. Im reading every book possible to learn about correctlyt using HF radios. Little confused about some thing.
Reply By: jeepthing - Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 13:38
Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 13:38
I had much the same experience there isn't much traffic outside the sked times. As someone said tap into 8022. I'm on the Sunshine Coast and can talk to
Alice Springs. Make sure that you have good ground connection to both your aerial and unit.
Initially my first contact with Alice was a bit weak even though I thought I had a good connection from the bull bar to the vehicle and also at the radio but I was advised by Alice that the reason for the weak signal was likely to be a weak earth at the bullbar.
So I ran a wire from one of the bullbar bolts to the vehicle making sure I had good clean contacts...fixed the problem. Also make sure that your taps are clean so that you are getting good contact.
Just a couple of things I learnt from experience which made a big difference to transmissions.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: shanegu6 - Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 13:43
Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 13:43
Hey Jeepthing, I have the antenna mounted on the rear of the vehicle and the earth form it earthed to the rear
barn door (internally). The unit is powered and earthed directly to the battery. Did you have to extend the length of the earth cable from the antenna.
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Follow Up By: Member - Wim (Qld) - Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 17:02
Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 17:02
shanegu6.
Most problems with HF are "earth" related.
I would extend the earth from your
barn door connection to a good earth in the main part of the vehicle.
regards
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Follow Up By: jeepthing - Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 18:19
Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 18:19
shanegu6,
I have a Barrett 250 and I was assuming you had a tapped aerial, my mistake wrong model.
Nevertheless as Wim correctly says most problems are earth related and I agree with his suggestion.
Additionally, even though the unit is powered and earthed directly to the battery I was advised to run an earth cable from the unit's case to a good earth on the vehicle's body.
The aerial for my unit is designed to be mounted on the bull bar only as it uses the vehicle's bonnet as it's ground plane.
I don't know much about the type of aerial you have but I do know that when you rear mount an aerial it needs to be in a position to ensure it will have a clear transmission.
If it doesn't you will find that when you transmit a lot of the energy from the aerial will be absorbed into the body of your vehicle consequently the transmission will be weak.
Make sure that the aerial is designed for a rear mount too. Even if it is I understand that they work more efficiently when bull bar mounted as the bonnet provides a better ground plane.
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Reply By: Time - Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 14:51
Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 14:51
Worth noting that reception will be a lot better if you move away from buildings, power poles and from under large trees.
By way of example, reception in my driveway is poor, but if I move to a local park away from buildings, power lines etc I have no problems in picking up transmissions from afar.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: BenDiD - Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 15:18
Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 15:18
Shane,
I had similar issues when I installed my first HF earlier in the year.
There is a great book called "HF for traveler's" (or something similar) for about $20 that explains
beacon calls etc. etc. and is really helpful to fill in the gaps. It's available on this site.
Most of the HF Oz guys will be on air or listening around 5-6 PM most days so just listen and break in or put out a call. Usually on Ch 7 or Ch 8. If that doesn't work e-mail the after hours contact for HF Oz (Mark G) and set up a time for a call with him.
Not sure where you are located - that makes a huge difference - I'm in
Sydney and just can't hear anyone else unless I travel out of the metro area. If you're in a dense area, near power lines, train crossings etc you'll struggle to hear or be heard.
As others have said above, your best chance with VKS is a late afternoon sked and
beacon call the base first so you know if you can reach it or not.
Good luck
Ben
AnswerID:
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Reply By: blue one - Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 16:03
Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 16:03
Yes it can be confusing until you have mucked around with the set for awhile.
1/ Earth everything and make sure there is a good earth connection to the chassis. This includes doors, bonnet etc. Your aerial earth connected just to the
barn doors will cause you grief. Extend it to the chassis.
2/ Select a channel and tune the set. ( Channel 2 for VKS)
3/ VKS 737 is on air around 4.30pm until 7.00pm. (
Check the sked times on their web site)
Once you are on air with VKS you will be pleased to find they are extremely accommodating with assisting you with use of the set. Don't be afraid to contact them and ask the silly questions which we all have done. Let me know if you need any specific question answered. As Pete said a
beacon or selcall helps a lot knowing if you can reach the station or if you need to select another.
Cheers
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - GREENDOG - Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 20:40
Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 at 20:40
G'day Shane I to have just finished installing a HF Barrett 250, i ran a earth from my base with a loop in it to a tie down bracket on the floor in the back and another from my anntenna base to my radiator mount,I spoke to
ALice Springs from the back yard signal strenth 3/5 on 8022 in SKEDS window i heard mobile station from every where bloody great i reckon,good luck with yours,we are of on the 3rd of July, Delhousie Springs,
Birdsville Innamicka,Arkaroola then home ca'nt wait.cheer's GD
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