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Preamble Welcome to the March 1998 Internet Edition of Network News. There has been a great deal of Network expansion and changes taking place over the past few months so it has been decided to bring the "May" issue forward a couple of months to keep members informed of the changes before they start off on their middle of the year travels. The first important change is the relocation of the Gosford Base to its new home at Firefly on the NSW Mid - North Coast. Firefly is just west of Nabiac which is about 30km south of Taree (314km north of Sydney) on the Pacific Highway. Unlike Gosford, the new base is located well away from residential areas and is not be subject to the usual local noise and interference that previously degraded the incoming HF signals. The only change that members will notice with the move will be improved quality of communications, everything else, except the telephone and fax numbers, will remain the same. The main Network expansion has been the addition of new remote controlled transceivers and telephone interconnection units at the Alice Springs, Perth and St Marys bases. The new equipment will allow Base Station operators to take control of any base station should the need arise, ie if a member in Western South Australia is speaking with St Marys Base and having trouble then, at the push of a button, the operator can switch on the Perth Base, hopefully resulting in better communications. The new equipment will also allow members to make telephone calls through the bases to family and friends. Initially we will be providing telephone services through Alice Springs and Perth, this is in conjunction to our existing service through the Gosford Base. Details of the new services appear later in the newsletter. Another new benefit to members comes from our recent joining of forces with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia - Western Operations. The initial benefit is the ability of members to make direct emergency contact with the RFDS control centre at Jandakot Airport via our base stations. For those with basic radios it will be a matter of contacting the base operator who will then make the link up with RFDS. For those with Selcall equipped radios is will be as simple as calling Selcall Number 0511 through Perth Base or 0811 through Alice Springs Base. It is planned to have the Selcall facility available through Adelaide and St Marys bases later this year. The Selcall number xx11 has been reserved for all future interconnects to give a common number to call RFDS regardless of which interconnect the call is made through. Members contacting Firefly Base with medical emergencies will still be connected to the RFDS Base at Broken Hill. Adelaide Base. Interconnect - Beacon 0699 Selcall 0601 Duty
Operator
1
Selcall 0606 Customs Watch
(Canberra)
Selcall 0692 Deputy Network
Coordinator
Selcall 0698 SA Police Emergency Calls Note: All non listed Selcall numbers in the block 0601 to 0699 are used for member telephone interconnection services. Operators:
Beacon Calls:
Voice Call Schedules:
1830 - 1900hrs Daylight Saving Time (November to March) Skeds initially commence on 5455kHz then move to the other Network frequencies. During heavy traffic periods the sked may extend past the published time and/or may be assisted by Alice Springs and St Marys Bases. Other frequencies and sked times are available on request to the duty operator. Reports:
Selcall Operating Hours (SA
Time):
Emergency Calls (Selcall):
Note: All non listed Selcall numbers in the block 0601 to 0699 are used for member telephone interconnection services. Communication Quips This is a transcript of a radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995. Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision. Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the south to avoid collision. Americans: This is the captain of a US navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course. Canadians: No. I say again you divert YOUR course. Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Missouri, we are a large warship of the US navy. Divert your course NOW. Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your
call.
The Worldwide Ute News Club is a
non-profit
hobby club formed in January 1995 to promote the sharing of info about
the shortwave utility hobby. For further information please refer to the
club web page at:
Alice Springs Base. Selcall 0003 with Selective Beacon. Interconnect - Beacon 0899
Selcall 0806 Customs Service
Selcall 0891 Network
Coordinator
Selcall 0897 SA Police
Switchboard
Note: All non listed Selcall numbers in the block 0801 to 0899 are used for member telephone interconnection services. Operators:
Via Interconnect
Base Selcall Operating Hours (NT
Time):
Base Voice Operating Hours (NT
Time):
Base Station Closures (NT
Time):
Voice Call Schedules (NT Time):
Emergency Calls (Selcall):
Skeds initially commence on 5455kHz then move to the other Network frequencies. During heavy traffic periods the sked may extend past the published time and/or may be assisted by the other bases. Reports:
The Alice Springs Base also monitors the Bushfire Council of NT frequencies and provides support, including after-hours and weekends, for that organisation.
Selcall 0090 with Selective
Beacon
Operators:
Selcall Operating Hours (NSW
time):
Beacon Calls:
Emergency Selcall Service:
Tone Call (RFDS Emergency
Call):
Members listening on 8022kHz
would
no doubt have heard conversations taking place between users with
callsigns
such as "Grace II", "Born Free", "Island Mercy" etc. These callsigns
belong
to sailing vessels and vehicles involved with the
Coastlands
Ministry
which operates out of Bowen
in Far North Queensland.
There are many isolated communities in the island nations of this world that can only be reached by sea or air. The churches and leadership in these places are often overlooked when it comes to receiving visiting ministry and assistance. Most churches in Australia enjoy regular visiting ministry with the Pastors being able to pick up a phone and call their peers when needing advice or encouragement. Coastlands is a facilitating organisation networking with those who
have the common goal of ministering in these island communities.
One key is being able to maintain a good relationship with skippers and crew through their communications station set up at Bowen. They have a selection of HF frequencies which are scanned 24 hours a day. Through the use of Selcall as well as a telephone interconnect they are able to provide continuous communication. When the base is not manned the interconnect automatically connects through to the duty operator. The base provides regular daily schedules from 0800 to 0845 and from 1600 to 1645 (Queensland time) for position reporting and weather forecasts and is an excellent time for people to share and deal with any difficulties they are having. The regular operators at Coastlands Base are: * Wendy Ive
VKS-737 members are requested to keep traffic to a minimum on 8022kHz during these periods to ensure that essential traffic such as weather warnings etc can be passed onto to vessels at sea. As well as providing the vital communications link, they, as an organisation, have networked together various people with skills in electronics, communications, engineering, medical and pastoral care skills to help with needs as they arise. Every member of Coastlands is sent from a local church and is encouraged to continue to relate to their own pastor and congregation while out on outreach. Because of their telephone interconnect they are able to do so freely. January to April is used as a time for skippers, family and crew to prepare vessels for outreach. This is due to the fact that it is safer to be back in home port during these months because of the danger of cyclones during this period. This preparation time is used for maintenance, crew training, resource gathering, ministering in supporting churches and occasionally resting. Most outreaches commence around April and last up to six months, utilising the trade winds to reach various isolated islands in the South Pacific. If you would like further information on the activities of the Coastlands Ministry please write to: Pastor
John Robertshaw
Interconnect - Beacon 0599 Selcall 0501 Duty
Operator
1
Selcall 0511 RFDS Western
Operations
Selcall 0594 Worldcare
Assistance
Services
Note: All non listed Selcall numbers in the block 0601 to 0699 are used for member telephone interconnection services. Operators:
Voice Operating Hours (WA
Time):
Voice Call Schedules (WA Time):
0730 to 0800 (via interconnect) Sat, Sun, Holidays.
1900 to 1930 (via interconnect) 7 days Selcall Operating Hours (WA
Time):
Beacon Calls:
On Saturday 7th March 1998 the Alice Springs Base logged its 2000th contact since commencing operation on the 3rd of May 1997. The contact was made at 7:23pm (Northern Territory time) with Steve - Victor 29 at Gippsland in Victoria. Congratulations to Ken & Carmen for the effort that they have put
into running the base. I wonder how long it will them to make the next
2000 contacts?
Are you looking for: * a new 4WD,
Would you like to meet some of the VKS737 team? If so you should visit our stand at the 1998 4WD and Outdoor Shows when they come to your area: Brisbane. July 17,18, 19. Sydney. August 14, 15, 16. Adelaide. October 23, 24, 25. Perth. November 20, 21, 22. For further details about the 4WD and
Outdoor
Shows contact Chris
Osborne or Bob
Schrader on
On Sunday 22nd February the Australian National 4WD Radio Network set up a display at the Wandin Field Day held at Wandin Park approximately 40km east of Melbourne. The event was extremely successful with around 80 commercial exhibitors and 20 4WD Clubs taking part. The show attracted around 10,000 visitors (and created quite a major traffic jam on the roads leading to the venue). It was good to meet up with those Network members who visited the display - it is nice to be able to put faces to the callsigns. The Radio Network display was situated among the 4WD Club sites and we wish to thank all of those club members who made us feel so welcome at the event, and also helped the Network by displaying information and encouraging visitors to join the Network. It was a good example of how the AN4WDRN, the ANFWDC and the 4WD Clubs through the VAFWDC are working together. Thanks must go to Steve & Heather Scroope, Steve Charles, Ian Lacey, John & Rosemary Wood, & Steve Johnston for their work in both manning the display as well preparation for the event. Thanks also to John Davis and all of the members of the Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria for inviting us to take part in such a successful event and we are looking forward to the show next year.
Selcall 0043 with Selective Beacon Interconnect - Beacon 0799 Selcall 0701 Duty
Operator
1
Selcall 0706 Customs Watch
(Canberra)
Selcall 0791 Network
Coordinator
Selcall 0794 Worldcare
Assistance
Services
Note: All non listed Selcall numbers in
the
block 0701 to 0799 are used for member telephone interconnection
services
Beacon Calls:
Voice Call Schedules: (Tasmanian
Time)
Skeds initially commence on 11612kHz then move to the other Network frequencies. During heavy traffic periods the sked may extend past the published time and/or may be assisted by the other bases. Emergency Calls (Selcall):
A repeater is basically two UHF transceivers connected back to back,
located in a location chosen to provide an extension of the operating
range
of UHF CB.
To use a repeater you must first switch your UHF CB to the desired channel 1 to 8 then you must select Duplex or Repeater mode. Your radio will now listen on the selected frequency. When you operate the Press to Talk, your radio will automatically move up 30 channels to the correct repeater input channel. If you forget to select Duplex or Repeater mode, pressing the Press to Talk will result in you transmitting on the Repeater output channel and possibly cause interference to other users. Repeater channels are not to be used for single frequency (simplex) communications in locations that are designated as Repeater coverage areas. Repeater channels may be used for single frequency (simplex) communications in areas where they are not allocated for repeater use. Channels 5 and 35, however, are dedicated for Emergency Communications only. A list of Australian UHF Repeater locations is listed below. This list has been compiled from information received from ACBRO and is believed to be accurate as at January 1997. ACBRO would appreciate notification by users of any errors or omissions. New South Wales Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 3
Channel 4
Channel 5 EMERGENCY Repeaters
Channel 6
Channel 7
Channel 8
Northern Territory Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 3
Channel 4
Channel 5 EMERGENCY Repeaters
Channel 6
Channel 7
Channel 8
Queensland Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 3
Channel 4
Channel 5 EMERGENCY Repeaters
Channel 6
Channel 7
Channel 8
South Australia Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 3
Channel 4
Channel 5 EMERGENCY Repeaters
Channel 6
Channel 7
Channel 8
Tasmania Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 3
Channel 4
Channel 5 EMERGENCY Repeaters
Channel 6
Channel 7
Channel 8
Victoria Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 3
Channel 4
Channel 5 EMERGENCY Repeaters
Channel 6
Channel 7
Channel 8
Western Australia Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 3
Channel 4
Channel 5 EMERGENCY Repeaters
Channel 6
Channel 7
Channel 8
Australian Capital Territory Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 3
Channel 4
Channel 5 EMERGENCY Repeaters
Channel 6
Channel 7
Channel 8
Members are reminded that the RFDS bases at Broken Hill (NSW) and Jandakot (WA) provide direct support to members via our bases. The RFDS relies on support from the public to fund their invaluable service and members are encouraged to make donations to this very valuable cause. [See Review here] Do you
Then you should come along to one of the Australian National 4WD Radio Network Jamborees at various locations around Australia on the weekend of September 5th & 6th 1998. These events will be open to all members of the VKS-737 Network as well as to any member of the public that may wish to find out more about the operation of the VKS-737 Network. Full information about the events will be included in the next issue of Network News, however if you would like further information in the mean time contact the following Jamboree organisers: NSW: Mervyn
Vessey
[02] 9484 6861
"Travel all over the Countryside
...."
In response to viewer's letters and questions they "Travelled all over the Countrvside", with their families, showing us interesting places, people, occupations and hobbies. They made about 150 TV programs which were screened, and often repeated, over many years. Their down to earth Boy-Next-Door" presentation satisfied the latent traveller in most of us. For some, Mike and Mal's TV program "Ask the Leyland Brothers", stimulated such a desire to travel and see the country, that they bought a 4WD and hit the road. I sometimes wonder how many people joined 4WD Clubs because of their TV programs. The Leylands have been satirized on occasions, and, although it's somewhat cruel at times, it could be taken as a measure of their success -- there have been many subsequent TV programs that have followed, using the format they pioneered. But There's More!
Their philosophy for these travels was very simple; they sat down and thought about something no-one had done before; they then went and did it. "Down the Darling"
"Wheels Across a Wilderness"
It was the first time that vehicles had travelled from the western extremity of the continent (Steep Point), due east across the Gibson Desert to Ayers Rock, then across the Simpson Desert to Birdsville, then onto the eastern extremity of the continent (Cape Byron). This three and a half month trip resulted in a film called "Wheels Across a Wilderness" and a book titled "Where Dead Men Lie". The film shows a slice of life as it was in the outback about thirty years ago, and even in that fairly short time it is surprising how different many things are from today. The film includes;
"Open Boat to Adventure"
So, Why am I Writing This?
The high cost of transferring old film stock to video, plus the
thoughts
of some is that the material is "old hat" is a barrier. It's difficult
to gauge whether there is sufficient interest to cover the cost of
transferring
the film to video. So, I come to my selfish reason for writing this
article.
I haven't seen these films for over 25 years. I'd like to see them again
and have a video copy, wouldn't you?
Let's start with: "Wheels
Across a Wilderness"
During the later half of 1997 members of National Parks and Wildlife, stationed at Port Augusta (SA) have commenced upgrading of the Dalhousie camp ground area. The upgrade to date has included: * The ECO hut has been relocated to a position away from the main spring area. * The demolition of the old sheds adjacent to the main springs and their replacement with a new colour-bonded shed situated near the stock yards. * A new tank has been installed at the toilet block. * There is now a day visitor park in the area. * A new camping area set 200 metres back from the main springs has been set up. To denote the camping area bollarding has been commenced- wires are to be strung between the posts. To give a natural appearance and to represent European settlement bridge timbers have been used in preference to treated pine in the construction. * The old camp area is being rehabilitated. * A bore has been installed at Three O'Clock Creek camp area. * To prevent storm water and debris from been washed into the main spring, a contour has been created by a grader. This should allow for seeds to be trapped and resulting in natural revegetation. * Materials have been stocked piled in readiness for completion of the project in March this year. Plans for future work include
The Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc. now has its own Internet Web Page which is located at: The page is provided with the compliments of Sofcom Internet Publishers who also operate the 4WD Internet Magazine. They also provide a database of all Australian and Overseas 4WD Clubs and links to 4WD sites worldwide. The page provides details of the Network as well as copies of Network News and News Releases from the past 12 months. E-mail to the VKS-737 Network can be sent to: vks737@camtech.net.au
As part of the ever increasing range of benefits available to members we now have telephone interconnects available at all of our bases to allow members to make telephone calls while travelling. The Firefly base is an operator connected system which allows members to contact any telephone number in Australia. Alice Springs has similar facilities when the base is manned, while Perth provides a similar service during business hours. To use the above facilities members pay a monthly subscription fee ($20 first month and $10 each additional month) plus a connection fee of $2 per call and $1 per minute for all calls. For those members with radios equipped with Selcall we also have "Preset Number" semi-automatic dialling through the Adelaide, Alice Springs, Perth and St Marys bases. To use this system members pay a monthly subscription fee ($20 first month and $10 each additional month) for each preset number reserved plus a call charge of $1 per minute. The service is limited to around 60 users maximum on any interconnect as the remaining numbers are allocated to emergency calls to Police, RFDS etc. Members wishing to use the telephone service can obtain further
details
from the Base Operators or from the Network Coordinator.
Any members of the Network who are in Adelaide on Sunday 5th of July 1998 are invited to attend a organ concert/film afternoon at the Capri Theatre at Goodwood. The cost is $6 per person which includes afternoon tea/coffee. The concert is a fundraiser for the Theatre Organ Society of SA Ladies Auxiliary and is being publicised through groups such as the Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc. The concert will commence at 1:30pm with an organ recital by four of Adelaide's leading theatre organists playing the mighty WurliTzer Organ (see Network News August 1997), this will be followed by the film "Brassed Off". Even though the theatre holds 822 people it is expected (as in previous concerts) that there will be no tickets available at the door - please book early if you wish to attend. Tickets can be obtained from the Secretary TOSA, PO Box 307, Goodwood. SA. 5034 (please enclose a Stamped Self Addressed Envelope for the return of your tickets). Please make cheques payable to TOSA. Tickets may also be purchased from the Capri Ticket Office from the beginning of May.
The following companies are known to be actively encouraging membership of the Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc. If you are looking to purchase equipment, or require work to be done on your vehicle, radio etc please give one of the listed dealers the opportunity to give you a quote. Let them know you saw their listing in Network News, and identify yourself using your 1998 Membership Card / Licence Authority. ADELAIDE (SA) Adventure Camping & Off-Road Trailers.
(08) 8276 5666
Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE,
Marleston
Campus. (08) 8226 0634, (08) 8336 1147
after
hours
Elco
Communications.
(08) 8373 4199
Electric Bug. (08)
8346 9234
Exciters Auto
Striping
(018) 82 1437
Independant Battery
Distributors
(08) 8260 6111 (Pooraka)
(08) 8296 6311 (Mitchell Park)
Johnston
Electronics. (08) 8287
1061
fax 8287 0422
Kryn Buitendyk
(08)
8250 2365 fax 8250 2299
Multicom Communications Pty
Ltd.
(08) 8271 8300
Off Road Action 4WD Training
Centre
(08) 8326 4001, (08) 8268 1896
On All Four (08)
8263
9729
ALICE SPRINGS (NT) Alice Tinting.
(08)
8953 0983
Battery City. (08)
8953 1799
BP The Gap. (08)
8952
3154
Codan
Communications.
(08) 8955 5455
Country Diesel
Maintenance.
(08) 8952 1712
Farmer
Electronics.
(08) 8952 2388
J & A
Spareparts.
(08) 8952 3359, fax (08) 8953 0109
ALBURY (NSW) Independant Battery
Distributors
(02) 6021 3278
AUSTRALIA WIDE 4WD Owners Card.
(1800)
06 6957
Worldcare Assistance
Services.
(1800) 63 6313
BALLARAT (Vic) Independant Battery
Distributors
(03) 5331 7155 mobile (015) 51 9350
BRISBANE (Qld) Mobile Australia.
(07)
3279 5577
CAIRNS (Qld) Billabong Takeaway - Shell
Roadhouse.
(07) 4055 3066 (Clifton Beach)
Elco
Communications.
(07) 4037 0300 fax (07) 4037 0311
CEDUNA (SA) Gillard Outback
Communications.
(08) 8625 2796
DARWIN (NT) Independant Battery
Distributors
(08) 8981 6911
ESPERANCE (WA) GIS
Communications.
(08) 9071 5188
FINGAL (Tas) North East Communications & Elect
Services.
(03) 6374 2274 mobile 0419 37 1405
GARBUTT (QLD) Independant Battery
Distributors
(07) 4779 8077
GAWLER (SA) Northern
Communications.
(08) 8522 6081
GEELONG (Vic) Independant Battery
Distributors
(03) 5221 8803
GERALDTON (WA) Geraldton TV & Radio Services
Co.
(08) 9964 2777
GORDONVALE (QLD) Independant Battery
Distributors
(07) 4056 1772
HOBART (Tas) Desmond
Communications. (03) 6228 1331.
Independant Battery
Distributors
(03) 6234 3021
HUNTER VALLEY (NSW) Industrial Commercial & Marine. (02)
4930
0344, (018) 68 5267 mobile
JANDAKOT (WA) Independant Battery
Distributors
(08) 9417 7033
JUNEE (NSW) Independant Battery
Distributors
(02) 6924 1288
KALGOORLIE (WA) GIS Communications. (08) 9021
8610
Rodger Williams
Communications.
(08) 9093 4443
LAUNCESTON (Tas) Marcom & Watson
Group
(03) 6331 2711 fax (03) 6331 6332
LOBETHAL (SA) Bridgestone Tyres - Lobethal
Motors
(08) 8389 6436
MACKAY (QLD) Independant Battery
Distributors
(07) 4957 6111
MAREEBA (QLD) Independant Battery
Distributors
(07) 4092 1659
MELBOURNE (Vic) 4WD Connections.
(03)
9439 6122
Independant Battery
Distributors
Just
Communications.
0414 85 4100
Kaymar 4WD
Accessories.
(03) 9870 4419
Long Distance
Communications.
(03) 9511 4362
Morgan Electronic
Services.
(03) 9844 1756
Time
Plus Pty Ltd. (03) 9380 4172, (03) 9380
4942
MILPERRA (NSW) Independant Battery
Distributors
(02) 9774 5671, 9772 3979. Fax (02) 9774 4943
MORWELL (Vic) Independant Battery
Distributors
(03) 0513 9993
Mt DRUITT (NSW) Independant Battery
Distributors
(02) 9832 2543
Mt ISA (QLD) Independant Battery
Distributors
(07) 4743 6555
MURRAY BRIDGE (SA) Bushcomm Pty Ltd.
(08)
8532 5110
D Edwards 4WD &
Marine
(08) 8531 0148
ORANGE (NSW) Independant Battery
Distributors
(02) 6361 2850
PERTH (WA) Allcom
Communications.
(08) 9479 4997
ARB 4x4
Accessories.
(08) 9244 3553
Barrett
Communications. (08) 9434 1700
Beta Products.
(08)
9573 1316
Debon
Communications. (08) 9306 3740
Jenal
Communications.
(08) 9370 5533
Magellan
GPS Systems / PHM Survey Centre. (08) 9444
0233 (1800 64 4033 Interstate)
Q-Mac Electronics Pty
Ltd.
(08) 9443 9336
Rodger Williams
Communications.
(08) 9451 7588
Terlin
"Outbacker" Aerials. (08) 9455
4288
PIALBA (QLD) Independant Battery
Distributors
(07) 4124 2013
ROSEBERY (NSW) Independant Battery
Distributors
(02) 9310 1579
SEVEN HILLS (NSW) Independant Battery
Distributors
(02) 9624 4433
SYDNEY (NSW) Auswide
Communications.
(02) 9907 9509
Philip
Collins
& Associates. (02) 9416 8799
Phoenix HF Communications Pty
Ltd.
(02) 9544 6355
TAMWORTH (NSW) Signal One Communications Pty
Ltd.
(02) 6766 6806
Independant Battery
Distributors
(018) 66 0204
TARCOOLA (SA) Wally Spackman.
(08)
8672 2039
TELEGRAPH POINT (NSW) Independant Battery
Distributors
(02) 6585 0045
TENNANT CREEK (NT) Territory Communications
Services.
(08) 8962 2661
TOOWOOMBA (QLD) Independant Battery
Distributors
(07) 4632 6806
WHYALLA (SA) TH & SA Beck Outback
Communications.
(08) 8645 4615
WINDSOR (NSW) Independant Battery
Distributors
(02) 4577 3769
WOLLONGONG (NSW) Independant Battery
Distributors
(02) 4228 9949
WYNNUM (QLD) Independant Battery Distributors (07) 3396
4806 Fax (07) 3348 7566
Committee:
Committee Member: Ro
Franceschini. [08] 8270 1073
Representatives/Delegates:
CARES: Bruce Chesterfield. [08] 9344 1786
Queensland:
Tread Lightly Australia: Jan
Scudamore. [07] 3379 9129 Fax [07] 3379 1679
Adelaide Base: Colin & Jean Brown. [08] 8356
9641
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