{"id":36168,"date":"2019-02-19T08:08:34","date_gmt":"2019-02-19T12:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=36168"},"modified":"2019-02-19T08:08:34","modified_gmt":"2019-02-19T12:08:34","slug":"vks-737-australian-hf-communications-services-for-travellers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/02\/vks-737-australian-hf-communications-services-for-travellers\/","title":{"rendered":"VKS-737 Australian HF Communications services for travellers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor,\u00a0Jerome van der Linden, who writes:<\/p>\n

At the Adelaide Caravan & Camping Show this last weekend, I picked up a brochure outlining the services of the VKS-737 HF Radio Network operated by a Public Benevolent Institution Established in 1993.<\/p>\n

Its mission statement is to provide emergency and general radio communications assistance services to travellers in rural and remote areas of Australia using Base stations located in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Cairns, Carnarvon, Charleville, Charters Towers, Darwin, Derby, Meekatharra, Mount Isa, Newcastle, Perth, Port Hedland, St Marys, and Swan Hill. Some of these stations are Royal Flying Doctor base stations.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The brochure details the Channels \/ Frequencies used as follows: 1: 5,455kHz; 2: 8,022; 3:11,612; 4: 14,977; 5: 3,995; 6: 6,796, and 7: 10,180kHz<\/p>\n

The VKS-737 web site also has an interesting and at times humorous example of a couple of videos showing travellers making use of the system.
\nhttps:\/\/vks737.radio\/how-good-is-hf-radio\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Apparently, apart from licensing requirements, the equipment required is not cheap, being in the order of AU$3,800 to $4,300. I think the equipment is made by Codan. The brochure also makes the point that HF radio can be used for entertainment such as to receive BBC World Service and Radio New Zealand. Clearly, the group is up to date in being aware that Australia’s own short wave broadcasting services are now – regrettably – a non event.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thank you for sharing this, Jerome! I’ve heard of the VKS-737 service, but did not realize their network was so robust and that it piggybacks on a portion of the\u00a0Royal Flying Doctor network.<\/p>\n

Post readers:<\/em> Anyone here familiar with the VKS-737 network?\u00a0 Have you ever used the system\u00a0 Please comment!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0Jerome van der Linden, who writes: At the Adelaide Caravan & Camping Show this last weekend, I picked up a brochure outlining the services of the VKS-737 HF Radio Network operated by a Public Benevolent Institution Established in 1993. Its mission statement is to provide emergency and general radio communications […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3],"tags":[887,6387,7618],"class_list":["post-36168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-australia","tag-jerome-van-der-linden","tag-vks-737"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-9pm","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":23506,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/ross-knows-firsthand-the-importance-of-abcradio-australia-shortwave\/","url_meta":{"origin":36168,"position":0},"title":"Ross knows firsthand the importance of ABC\/Radio Australia shortwave","author":"Thomas","date":"January 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday, we posted a\u00a0news item\u00a0regarding the importance of the ABC's shortwave service to those working and living in the Australian Outback.\u00a0It appears\u00a0the ABC has no intention of reversing the decision in any meaningful way. A follow-up piece from The Guardian: The ABC has remained steadfast in its decision to scrap\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Radio-Dial-2-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Radio-Dial-2-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Radio-Dial-2-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":63350,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/07\/auroras-hf-predictions-and-more-a-look-at-australias-space-weather-site\/","url_meta":{"origin":36168,"position":1},"title":"Auroras, HF Predictions, and More: A Look at Australia\u2019s Space Weather Site","author":"Thomas","date":"July 7, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jerome van der Linden, who writes: For some time, I have subscribed to a service that alerts me via email when our weather bureau wants to inform people about the likelihood of aurora activity that might lead to the ability to observe the southern\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48720,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/05\/guest-post-jeromes-experiences-as-an-swl-in-saudi-arabia-from-1990-91\/","url_meta":{"origin":36168,"position":2},"title":"Guest Post: Jerome’s experiences as an SWL in Saudi Arabia from 1990-91","author":"Thomas","date":"May 2, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jerome van der Linden, for the following guest post: Experiences as an SWL in Saudi Arabia 1990 \/91 by Jerome van der Linden From about 1986 I worked for the Broadcasting Division of Telecom Australia (now \"Telstra\"), in Adelaide, South Australia. This Division of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Sony-ICF-2010-close-up-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Sony-ICF-2010-close-up-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Sony-ICF-2010-close-up-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Sony-ICF-2010-close-up-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35332,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/sydney-hobart-yacht-race-frequencies\/","url_meta":{"origin":36168,"position":3},"title":"Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Frequencies","author":"Thomas","date":"December 26, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jerome van der Linden, who writes: I just found after reviewing a 16 page PDF of regulations etc from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, some relevant information for listeners who may want to try to hear the boat to shore communications of yachts\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Current Events"","block_context":{"text":"Current Events","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/current-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/1B3D877C-EEEB-4210-B27D-3F8B4B7576AE.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/1B3D877C-EEEB-4210-B27D-3F8B4B7576AE.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/1B3D877C-EEEB-4210-B27D-3F8B4B7576AE.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/1B3D877C-EEEB-4210-B27D-3F8B4B7576AE.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53858,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/guest-commentary-nothing-is-so-constant-as-change\/","url_meta":{"origin":36168,"position":4},"title":"Guest commentary: Nothing is so constant as change","author":"Thomas","date":"September 1, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor, Jerome van der Linden, who shares the following guest post: Nothing is so constant as change by Jerome van der Linden Those of us who have had an interest in broadcasting over many years realize pretty soon that technology is constantly changing. 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