First experiment with HF a success

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 14:17

ThreadID: 73001 Views:3363 Replies:5 FollowUps:9

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Pete Jackman (SA)

We are off this weekend to the back of SA for a couple of weeks and decided to get a HF for this and subsequent trips. We picked up a Codan 8525 and an 8558/8551 autotune off ebay for the cost of a satphone hire and stuck it all on the vehicle this past weekend.

Radio checked with VKS Adelaide last night and all is good. Ah the gentle hiss of static in the ear brings back memories of night watchkeeping in patrol boats listening out for Darwin Control to call in.

If anyone is out and about north of the flinders in the next two weeks look out for a white jackaroo with a portabote on roof and an Ozi sticker on the back.

Cheers

Pete

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Reply By: rescue134 - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 15:41

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 15:41

i will keep an ear on the airways for you and welcome to hf world.
kevin VKS 737 2952

AnswerID: 387032

Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 15:57

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 15:57

Hi Pete
The old Codan is a top little HF Radio. We have had the same model that you have just purchased since new - 16 years. At the time and till this day, I have the manual tap antenna. We are just back from 10 days in the Flinders. Still green tinges from Wilpena up to Blinman. From Beltana on, is dry.

Have a great two weeks away and I hope that you joined up with the VKS network, they are the best in my opinion.

Cheers

Stephen

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AnswerID: 387034

Follow Up By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 16:32

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 16:32

Any recommendations on where to go?

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 17:11

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 17:11

Hi Pete
It all comes down to how far up north you want to go. Have you ever been to Nuccaleena ruins or Sliding Rock or been on some of the great walks? We love the Flinders and you would be very hard pressed to find a bad spot to visit. If you have not been there before, here are a few thinks that you may consider :
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The list can go on and on.

Enjoy your trip, you will be in for a great time

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 17:57

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 17:57

I love the Flinders. I grew up in Port Pirie and Clare and spent a lot of time up there in my youth - I climbed St Mary's when I was 17, I think I will give it a miss now I'm 50!

We have looked over most of the Flinders up to Blinman and driven some of the PARs (Such as the Artimore loop) but may take in Arkapeena and Skyterk which we haven't done yet.

The rough plan is 3-7 days to work our way up to Arkaroola via the central Flinders, Mt Chambers Gorge and the Gammons, then off to Innaminka, the Cooper and Coongie lakes.

Pete

FollowupID: 654620

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 18:32

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 18:32

Hi Pete
Sounds great and that you have it all worked out. When did you live here in Clare?

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 at 09:13

Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 at 09:13

1975 to 1977. Dad was the ANZ Bank Manager and we lived over and behind the bank in the main street next to the town hall car park.

FollowupID: 654690

Reply By: racinrob - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 17:35

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 17:35

Horses for courses, I have a Codan NGT and belong to the HF Radio Club, VKE237, a terrific club thru which I have met lots of great people. They have several base stations, an AM and PM sked time, land line link up and technical help plus, $65.00 P/A.

Rob. sel call 6678

AnswerID: 387059

Reply By: disco driver - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 20:52

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 20:52

Pete,
Without appearing to be rude and obnoxious, do you hold the necessary licence for it?

Using HF unlicensed is frowned upon by the authorities.

Disco,

AnswerID: 387083

Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 20:56

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 20:56

Disco,

Check he's profile, if you can

VKS737 Callsign: Mobile 3580 Selcall:

Regards

Richard

then again VKS-737 user list says 3580 Mobile 3580 Peter & Annette Nenke???

FollowupID: 654646

Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 21:18

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 21:18

I know,, I see it ,, how dumb am I... LOL Jackaroo Man.....

FollowupID: 654651

Follow Up By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 at 09:29

Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 at 09:29

Yup, that's me Richard.

Disco - no offence taken. If you read my original post you will see I was talking to VKS 737 Adelaide Base - they will not talk to non members except in an emergency.

Cheers

Pete
VKS737 Mobile 3580

FollowupID: 654692