SKED is a standard abbreviation for a scheduled radio contact at a specific time. (i.e. every day at the same time). Austravel SafetyNet sked operators make voice calls on 30 frequencies every day. These times and channels/frequencies are listed below in the sked timetable link and in the beginning pages of the selcall list. 

Skeds will change each summer and winter seasons as daylight effects the best channels to use around sked times as we cater for solar activity increases. These progressive changes are needed to keep providing the best HF radio coverage of Australia at sked times. Our bases and sked time selection are designed to provide strong signals to the travelling members, improving reception by overcoming potential local noise problems. Please stay up to date and check on the changes as each new selcall list comes out. Get a current copy before you head "outback".  Of course, if you are travelling and out of email range, as a regular caller on the skeds the operators will let you know in advance of any pending sked changes.

Please note... The Summer time timetable is active when daylight saving begins in the East and reverts to the Winter time table as day light saving finishes.  Skeds keep the same actual times as before but are adjusted for local times during daylight saving. It is suggested that you print a copy of below and take it with you.

Notes:  The UTC and actual sked times stay the same summer to winter but local times vary with daylight savings.

New Winter time table available soon.   WA will be the same as the summer.

Winter 2024 Time Table East and West. Rev 1.3

Check out the Space Weather web site (click on link located at the top left labelled “HF Radio Conditions”) which provides HAP charts for our bases. This information provides a guide to the predicted transmit and receive range within Australia of each channel, current to within the hour or look at the past 24 Hr history.

Would you like to become a  sked operator?.

Austravel SafetyNet is always looking for new sked operators.   Perhaps you are house bound, maybe you have some previous history operating radios in military or marine activities or are just very interested in general.   You do not need a HF radio, just some spare time and internet access.

Our base station equipment that allows members to make a phone calls from their vehicle mounted radios can be used in the reverse direction. i.e  Trained sked operators  can dial into a base with a phone and password, enabling remote access to the Austravel HF radio base station network.  This allows skeds to be run from a mobile phone or desk top soft phone application. 

This option allows anybody with a little spare time, an interest in HF radio which provides long distance communication and a reliable internet connection to become a sked operator.   Training assistance is available and we have a sked operator guidebook to guide you through  the process.  It is easier than you may think.