H F radio carriers?

I have been with VKS737 for 7 years - excellent service and would always be my first point of call in an emergency. The have bases dotted around the country and some of their bases work in conjunction with the RFDS service.

There is no problems with using the frequencies out of sked times for channel chat and phone calls - though these are best done off their primary and secondary frequencies.

Cost is about $115 per annum and includes your license to operate HF - use of an HF radio without a license can incur heavy penalties.

John

I am a member of HF Radio Club to and find them very accommodating.

John
Use of HF radio unlicensed can incur heavy penalties, but it's not against the law to own one and listen in, therefore in the case of an emergency you would use it, and if called May-Day any listener/base must answer, there would not in my opinion be a penalty.

.

Doug T. Being a volunteer sked operator on VKE237 I can verify what you say, emergency calls from anyone would be acknowledged without question.
Last time I looked it was only $65 per annum to be a member of the HF Radio Club so why wouldn't you ?

VKE237 Sel 6678 rr

G'day all, thanks for the reply's - keep them coming! I have a current MROCP license after thousands of hours manning Coast Guard emergency radio, also a current pilot's license, a few years ago I was a member of VKS, but 12 months membership for 10 days maybe usage seems tooo much. I also have sat. phone's, thanks again, hoo roo

HF Radio Club (VKE 237) have a single Selcall Number in all of their bases to connect you with the RFDS.

The RFDS also have instant access to your information and GPS position.

These guys are by fare the most advanced network.

Thanks boobook for the reply, I used the word "carrier" for the want of a better word, but you got the message anyway, that is what I wanted. I am very familliar with the use of varios radios, I have been flying for over 35 years, thousands of hours on Coast Guard radios, daily UHF 'n more. My HF radio is a Codan that I have had for a lot of years & only fit it in the car when I go on remote trips as the risk of theft is always there. (They'l break into a car if they can see a gold coin!) I have been with VKS737 before, thanks again,

Ok no problem.

I think the issue with short term subscription is that these are largely volunteer organisations and the paperwork of getting members on and off the records would be overwhelming if people signed on and off for trips.

Hi

Another point of interest is the the ACMA are cracking down on people with radios that to not hold a license for the channels that are programmed in them.

For example. If you are a member of VKS but you also have channels programmed for transmitting on VKE or even the RFDS frequencies.

I think this is ludicrous for in an emergency situation you are permitted to use any means possible to gain assistance.

I am already aware of a few people who have been given spot check by the ACMA and issued fines because of it.


VKE 273
Selcall 2766

There is nothing the Radio Comms Act that allows you to possess a radio simply to use it in an emergency. If that was the case I would have my own personal police radio under the pillow :)
All frequencies need to covered by an appropriate license.

Quote - "Mobile phone subscription uses carriers like Telstra, Optus ( and if you stretch the definition of "carrier" - Vodafone)"

Vodafone is the third carrier. They share the radio sites with Optus but have their own base station radios and antenna.

Peter they may share *some* of the sites ( and still share some sites with Telstra from the old Three agreement), but their service is woefully over subscribed and under engineered. It doesn't come close to Optus, who are a mile behind Telstra.

It's dreadful.

"43RD888 posted:
There is nothing the Radio Comms Act that allows you to possess a radio simply to use it in an emergency. If that was the case I would have my own personal police radio under the pillow :)
All frequencies need to covered by an appropriate license. "

Further to that here is the appropriate clauses from the Radiocommunications Act 1992

47 Unlawful possession of radiocommunications devices

(1) Subject to section 49, a person must not have a
radiocommunications device in his or her possession for the
purpose of operating the device otherwise than as authorised by:
(a) a spectrum licence; or
(b) an apparatus licence; or
(c) a class licence.
Penalty:
(a) if the radiocommunications device is a radiocommunications
transmitter:
(i) if the offender is an individual—imprisonment for 2
years; or
(ii) otherwise—1,500 penalty units; or
(b) if the radiocommunications device is not a
radiocommunications transmitter—20 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable
excuse.

48 Additional provisions about possession of radiocommunications
devices

(1) Without limiting section 47, a person is taken, for the purposes of
that section, to have a radiocommunications device in his or her
possession for the purpose of operation if it is in his or her
possession, otherwise than for the purpose of supply to another
person, and can be operated merely by doing one or more of the
following:
(a) connecting the device to an electric power supply by means
of an electric plug or other electrical connection;
(b) connecting a microphone to the device by inserting a
microphone plug into the device;
(c) switching on the device;
(d) switching on any other equipment relevant to the device’s
operation;
(e) adjusting settings by manipulating the device’s external
switches, dials or other controls;
(f) connecting the device to an antenna.
(2) Subsection (1) only applies in the absence of any evidence to the
contrary.
(3) A reference in this Division to a person having a
radiocommunications device in his or her possession includes a
reference to the person having it under control in any place
whatever, whether for the use or benefit of that person or another
person, and although another person has the actual possession or
custody of it.