Australian National Four Wheel Drive Radio Network. VKS-737 Established 1993, PO Box 67, Elizabeth. SA. 5112. Telephone: [08] 8287 1061. Fax [08] 8287 1255. E-mail: vks737@camtech.net.au Patron: Anne Beadell

28 August 1998: the AN4WDRN is moving to this new url: [new location]

News:

Jamboree (4-6 Sept), 6/3/1998 station relocation, 1/3/1998 newsletter, 1/3/1998 network map,

28/12/1997, 25/11/1997, 30/10/1997, 26/08/1997, 27/06/1997, 17/06/1997.

/News/AN4WDRN.html

Profile

The Australian National 4WD Radio Network is a Public Benevolent Institution established to provide communications and safety logging services for members of the public travelling and working in the remote areas of Australia. The Network also provides similar services for users of aircraft and marine pleasure craft.

The Network was established in 1993 following a request from the Australian Communications Authority (formerly the Spectrum Management Agency) in Adelaide with the view to setting up an Australia Wide 4WD HF Radio Network for use by Outback travellers.

The need for a dedicated 4WD Radio Network stemmed from an ACA decision to clamp down on the illegal use by Four Wheel Drivers of Outpost Radio Frequencies such as 5300kHz, 5360kHz, 5410kHz etc. to make contact from their homes to others travelling in the Outback. At times Emergency Calls through RFDS bases had been disrupted when "illegal" users had refused to clear the channels when requested to do so by the base operators.

The Network commenced operation in November 1993 with a single frequency of 5455kHz with a base station located at Hilton near Adelaide. The Network at this stage was under the control of the South Australian Association of 4WD Clubs Inc.

At the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council conference in Tallebudgera (Qld) in September 1994 the Network was renamed as the VKS-737 Australia Wide 4WD Radio Network and placed under the control of the National Radio Officer who was part of the ANFWDC Inc. The Network was now available for use by members of all four wheel drive clubs Australia Wide that were affiliated with the ANFWDC via the relevant State 4WD Associations.

Over the next couple of years the Network was expanded with the addition of 4 extra frequencies and also additional base stations located in strategic locations around Australia.

Towards the end of 1995 and in early 1996 it was decided that membership of the Network should be made available to all outback travellers rather than being restricted to only members of 4WD clubs. A referendum of members was held, and it was approved by a majority vote that the network undergo major changes including becoming a separate body, affiliated with, but no longer under the control of the 4WD Association.

In December 1996 the Network was transferred to the control of the Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc. and was given Public Benevolent Institution status by the Australian Taxation Office.

The Network has two way affiliation with the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council Inc. The Chairman of the Australian National 4WD Radio Network holds the position of National Radio Officer in the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council Inc, while the Council also has a Voting Representative on the Radio Network Committee.

The Australian National 4WD Radio Network has two way affiliations with the following volunteer emergency service groups: Australian Citizens Radio Monitors Inc., Central Australia Radio Emergency Service Inc., Citizens Radio Emergency Service Teams Inc.

In January 1997 the Australian National 4WD Radio Network became a partner in Tread Lightly Australia. At the Tread Lightly Annual General Meeting held at Coffs Harbour in March 1997, Steve Johnston, the Chairman of the Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc., was appointed to the Board of Directors of Tread Lightly Australia for a two year term of office.

In the middle of 1997 a formal agreement was signed between the Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc. and the South Australian Police to provide a joint safety communications network for members using VKS-737 Network frequencies fitted in SA Police country and remote area patrol cars and police stations.

Similarly an agreement was signed with the Australian Customs Service to provide a service by our members towards the running of the Customs Watch program. All of our bases are linked directly to the above organisations and members have direct access 24 hours a day using Selcall.

Arrangements were also made to fit the VKS737 frequencies into the Department of Environment and Natural Resources vehicles in SA. This allows members direct access to National Parks Rangers to obtain information and get help in the case of emergencies etc.

The Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc. is controlled by an Executive Committee of seven people (who are elected for two year terms by the members of the Network), plus representatives from affiliated organisations:

Committee:

Representatives/Delegates:

Base Station Operators:

The base station operators are also assisted by volunteers who run the bases on a roster system and who also can step in should the main operators be unavailable for any reason. The bases at Adelaide, Alice Springs, Perth & St Marys can be remotely operated by telephone from anywhere in Australia should the need arise.

The base station operators provide the following services to members:

• Daily safety logging of members locations and planned movements over the following days.
• Message handling to and from family, friends etc.
• Medical advice and emergency aid arranged through RFDS Bases at Broken Hill (via Gosford Base) and Jandakot (WA), as well as from the SA Police.
• Road Condition Reports from Transport SA & NT Police.
• Weather Reports, Bushfire Danger Index Warnings* and Tropical Cyclone Warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology Darwin.
• HF Propagation Warnings and Information supplied from IPS Radio & Space Services.
• Direct communications link with Worldcare Assistance Services should a member require emergency vehicle assistance.
• The Alice Springs Base provides Bushfire Danger Index Warnings for the benefit of our members as well as the members of the Alice Springs Volunteer Bushfire Brigade. This service is part of a joint working agreement in which the Australian National 4WD Radio Network provides the emergency radio communications service for the Alice Springs Volunteer Bushfire Brigade.

The Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc. is operated in conjunction with:

• Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council Inc. and affiliated State 4WD Associations
• Alice Springs Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
• Australian Association of Citizen and Band Radio Operators Inc.
• Australian Citizen Radio Monitors Inc.
• Australian Customs Service
• Bureau of Meteorology (Northern Territory Regional Office)
• Bush Fires Council NT - Alice Springs West Region
• Central Australia Radio Emergency Service Inc.
• Citizens Radio Emergency Service Teams (NT) Inc.
• Department of Environment & Natural Resources (SA)
• IPS Radio & Space Services
• Penta Radio Communications
• Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia - Western Operations
• South Australia Police
• The 4WD Owners Card
• Tread Lightly Australia
• Worldcare Assistance Services

VKS-737 Serving Outback Travellers since 1993