HF Radio Organisation (HFoZ) a Perpspective
Submitted: Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 16:30
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The Landy
I have been a member for about two years and have used Radtel for phone access via
HF Radio for a number of years. I’d be interested on
feedback others have had with regards to HFoZ from a perspective of being able to contact other users when on the road.
Mid last year we did a trip through Western and Far North-West Queensland and we were only able to make contact with a couple of other members during a four week period. I’ll acknowledge that HFoZ is designed around not having normal ‘skeds’ as their GPS tracking facility covers this; my issue/concern is that it would be nice to put out a call and hear back from someone, and it seems the limited
membership is the problem in achieving this.
From a monitoring point of view we now use a SPOT tracking device so the GPS positioning with HFoZ is good, but somewhat redundant for us now and the SMS/email feature is not critical for us.
Previously a member of VKS-737 and thinking that given you can have phone access in a similar way to Radtel that perhaps it is time to rejoin. And….no need to sell me on VKS-737 as I believe it is a fantastic organisation, just thought HFoZ looked an attractive proposition, but it seems to be struggling for members.
Interested to hear from other HFoZ members on their perspective……
Cheers, The Landy
Reply By: Boobook2 - Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 21:15
Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 21:15
I joined HFoZ mainly for the SMS / Email facility. I have found that the fact that the SMS is ony one way, and email is really simple web mail really limits its use. I was hoping to get a way to communicate to people while they and I were on the road with sms etc but for me it's not enough.
I rarely hear anyone on HFoZ voice channels and just last week decided not to renew.
One thing is that I use Reids for phone calls. It was cheaper for what I want, got me
membership with Reids and
HF radio club who have skeds and because they use different frequencies for phone ( unlike VKS) the channels are clearer and less chance of people listening in.
AnswerID:
443481
Follow Up By: The Landy - Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 17:18
Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 17:18
Thanks Boobook.....
We travelled over 8,000 klm in about 4 weeks and spoke to two people. Perhaps in time it will improve, but I think I will also let me
membership lapse in favour of VKS-737.
Cheers, The Landy
FollowupID:
715635
Reply By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 09:21
Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 09:21
I have been with VKS-737 since it began and I have enquired if there were possibilities of the inclusion of SMS/email to the service. There are no plans for the future.
I had toyed with joining HF OZ for this facility however Boobook2 has confirmed what I had thought, not that crash hot.
I will however go with VKS-737 HF-TEL.
I have found that they allocate each user a six digit number which has to be installed by a technician and this means there can be lapses in the blocks (months) for which you need it. The six digit number remains yours and there is no need to have it reprogrammed when a new block is purchased.
While travelling when the scheds are on many members log in and some are in the vicinity of where I intend to go I jot down their callsign and selcall them after scheds are over and gain good information on track condition etc.
Cheers, Stan
AnswerID:
443510
Follow Up By: Stu & "Bob" - Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 10:41
Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 10:41
G'day Stan,
What type of HF do you have? On my 9323 it was a simple matter of copying the frequencies to another bank of 7 channels and assigning the six digit number to them as a selcall self id. No technician or computer needed.
Regards
Stu
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 14:18
Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 14:18
Hi Stu
I 'gave' my 9323 to my son in law and I could do all of those things my self but an NGT ARV came up with a price to good to refuse.
So, any changes to the firmware and updates has to be done with a codan tech. The present firmware only allows 10 towers and VKS now has 18. I believe Codan is being negotiated with to alter the firmware. There are also other organizations also waiting fo this to happen.
Cheers
Stan
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 17:20
Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 17:20
Thanks Stan,
I'll be looking further into VKS-737 HF/Tel instead of Radtel/HFoZ.
Cheers, The Landy
FollowupID:
715636
Follow Up By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 14:06
Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 14:06
With older radios such as my 8525 they will give you a 4 digit selcall for HF Tel
Pete
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