Radio buffs......advice please.

Lionel,

Yes it is a HF radio receiver/transmitter and is at least 15-20 years old.

In their day they were one of the best available and are still usable provided that you can use the frequencies fitted (5300 and5885), or fit your choice of frequencies.
You will have to find that out from an expert on HF gear .

The aerial sounds like an old multi frequency unit as those "holes" allow for different frequencies to be tuned using a 'snake' (That's what I called it,) a cable with suitable plugs fitted to plug into the lowest 'hole' on the aerial and the other end plugs into your chosen frequency 'hole' on the aerial .

I'm sure that others with more knowledge than me will be along to help on this site later.

Hope this helps.

Disco.

A refurbisher to me would be Codan direct as there are a lot of things that I believe external fitters cannot do.
ian

Hmmm...... to be a drag :-o)........it will cost $ for parts and labour to have a technician set it up for the frequencies you intend to use. The antenna may be 'the thing' though, in that a tapped whip antenna with matching lugs will cost very good $ (though a piece of wire hung from a tree will do). The cost of getting this unit set up for current day use might be unwise - a used modern day unit with selcall etc. can be had for reasonable $.
That said, an early crystal HF (but already having the frequencies and importantly, the antenna) can be a great machine - I had a Tracker Scout quite a few years back - a great performer (but no selcall) - sold it for $500 with it's Lencomm antenna - probably worth about a slab these days.

I would give it a miss, old Codans are hard to get parts for, they have limited channels and can be expensive to re channel and I would say this radio has no selcall making it useless.

Not even worth the effort even if it was given to you.

The 75 in the type means its a 1975 model which makes it 34 years old.
If you join the Codan users group HERE, you will be able to find out all you will need to know on how, and who can get it working for you.

Chris

I guess this where we really miss footie
Im sure he could have given you the full lowdown :(

Hi,

I would not bother with Codan, they will have long ago stopped supporting a 1975 model.

To change the frequency you will need to purchase the appropriate crystals, people still manufacture those.

What will be the problem is the oscillator boards they fit onto.

If you wish to join the VKS-737 network log onto their site

http://www.vks737.on.net/

and send them an email and they will let you know where the boards are available (if they are). If you can get that working you will have to chase up a new whip antenna to deal with your new frequencies. You could try

http://www.outbacker.com.au/

Cheers