vks737 or Hfradioclub?

[Vk3bq Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vk3bq]

hello, just trying to work out whats the better option to go with? a big trip to the Kimberley.

hfradioclub http://www.hfradioclub.com.au/ has GPS tracking and the like, i can just send position data for family/outaws to wacth our progress

VKS737 http://www.vks737.on.net/ seems to be much bigger, though this is not always such a good thing? and no tracking,

(i always have ham radio to chat with people)

what do people think of the above (and have I missed any) thanks

[Yota Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Yota]

I was about to recommend HFoz also, but after looking at the hfradioclub website I wouldnt bother. The HF radio club didnt have all those features last time I looked, I recon I will be ditching HFoz and swapping before my next trip.

I would personaly get both, I think VKS has a bigger member base, bad for heavy traffic at sched times but, good for finding people to give you a hand if needed.

[Vk3bq Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vk3bq]

thanks, hfoz seems to be similar to hfradioclub, but based on the price, (and a codan dealer pointing me to hfradioclub instead of vks737) think ill give them a try.. (just for message forwarding and tracking)..

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

thanks, hfoz seems to be similar to hfradioclub, but based on the price, (and a codan dealer pointing me to hfradioclub instead of vks737) think ill give them a try.. (just for message forwarding and tracking)..

Did you go with HFRadioClub in the end? I've just joined and they seem pretty good and excellent value for money - I do like the GPS tracking. Having said all that I haven't got my radio yet - it's on order and probably due next week

[Vk3bq Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vk3bq]

ended up with both hfradioclub and vks737. heading to kimberley soon, and some advice was that while HFradioclub is great (i have used it a lot this side of Australia already) the coverage far north west isn't as good/as consistent, but it should be enough for what I will use it for, i have hfradioclub for GPS tracking and the cheap phone calls, and vks737 for peace of mind coverage when remote away, if i wasn't going to Kimberley this winter, (and for next year, when i really only travel 1-2 days from Melbourne) ill keep hf radio club into the future. (its only money)..

additionally, the traffic on both is down a bit over summer, (they both advise) as their aern't as many people traveling/moving around (grey nomad winter warm climate driving ) but this will pick up over the winter months.

some of the tracks ive created with GPS over the last month


Untitled by asphotos, on Flickr

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Thanks for that - I may end up with both eventually as well, but for now I think HFRC will be fine for me.

I have the Amateur pack with my radio so I should be able to contact people through that as well.

[billbo120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close billbo120]

Thanks for that - I may end up with both eventually as well, but for now I think HFRC will be fine for me.

I have the Amateur pack with my radio so I should be able to contact people through that as well.

Hi

There used to be the Travellers Net on 20 metres during the day i think around 1300 hours where amateurs would log in give possition reports etc dont know if it still going but used to be able to keep track of fellow hams on there outback travels even without working them directly.

[Vk3bq Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vk3bq]

Travellers net still runs. 14.116mhz?? And 21mhz as well daily. Around 1pm eastern time. That's always another option.

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Travellers net still runs. 14.116mhz?? And 21mhz as well daily. Around 1pm eastern time. That's always another option.

Thanks guys, I will have to have a listen in. Hopefully the radio should arrive today.

[vk2ss55 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vk2ss55]

VK3BQ de VK2SS you could use APRS on 30M ?
Cheers Ross

[Vk3bq Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vk3bq]

Vk2ss. I am. I do and I will. Need time to make tiny track cable for codan!!

[Vk3bq Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vk3bq]

for those hams, the travellers net details have been updated today http://www.wia.org.au/members/nets/travellers/

The Australian Travellers Net
14.116MHz & 21.185MHz

The Australian Travellers Net operates 365 days of the year to provide a mantle of safety for Amateurs travelling long distances often in remote areas of Australia. This service is also available to Amateurs that are Maritime Mobile.
Phone numbers are available to anyone who wishes to send a message to travellers or inquire about their whereabouts. (Refer to contact list below) Urgent traffic will be given priority over Stations checking in.

If you are trying to contact a traveller directly please call via the net control then QSY to a clear frequency. During call backs the list of logged stations will be read back by net control, he will then call for any late check in and invite stations that may have messages for travellers to call now. Stations with traffic should then QSY to a clear frequency.
Relay stations will then be invited to call for stations that may not have been heard by net control.
Two Travellers Net Frequencies And Times

There are two nets in operation being 14.116MHz & 21.185 MHz.
The 14.116 MHz is manned from 0200 UTC daily for check ins. Call Back Time is 0300 UTC.
The 21.185 MHz is manned from 0400 UTC daily for check ins Call Back Time is 0500 UTC
The Aim Of The Travellers Net

1) Any urgent or priority traffic or relays to and from travellers as required.
2) A time and frequency for travellers to meet (a central get together point) and arrange to QSY up the band.
3) A terminal point (phone contact numbers) where messages can be left by family or friends to relay to travellers when they call in or an inquiry from family or friends as to a travellers last known location.
4) A known time and frequency where a traveller can guarantee contact in the event of a breakdown. It is assumed that all travellers driving in remote areas will have sufficient food and water to sustain themselves for a number of days.
5) A relay service between travellers when required.
14.116 MHz Travellers Net operator contact details:

Check In 02:00 UTC
Call Back 03:00 UTC
Net Control Bob VK6KW - [email protected] - 0407 442 650
Relay/Net control Ross VK5KMH - [email protected] - 08 7225 0442
Relay/Net control Noel VK4NL - [email protected] - 0413 958 216
Relay/Net control Victor VK4WST - [email protected] - 07 3286 2461
Relay Dougal VK4EKA - [email protected]
Relay Doug VK3DEC - [email protected]
21.185 MHz Travellers Net operator contact details:

Check In 04:00 UTC
Call Back 05:00 UTC
Relay/Net control Ross VK5KMH - [email protected] - 08 7225 0442
Relay Noel VK4NL - [email protected] - 0413 958 216
Relay George VK4HGT - [email protected] - 07 3245 4411