Our H.E.L.P. (4357) system is available to all members - On some radios your emergency button(s) can be programmed, so that with a single press the radio automatically sends a distress alert call, gaining automatic access to a human operator.  Anybody in the vehicle can send an emergency HELP call. Our HELP is not just for life threatening emergencies. Tripple zero (000) on your phone is still your primary emergency call number for life threatening emergencies if you have phone service. Out of phone range HF radio can be a life saver and of course there are many circumstances that can arise  in remote areas where you may just require assistance, before a situation becomes life threatening.

 Channel  selection at bases is to provide optimal coverage and parallel simultaneous  usage of bases by members.

We allow all of our channels to be used mobile to mobile including vessels, just be mindful of the sked times to minimise interference. In fact, we are the largest HF radio network in Australia that provides emergency call support, with licensing which also allows for mobile to mobile to base general radio traffic.  In total Austravel has 32 licensed frequencies which cover all of Australia with all bases having Telcall+ which  provides direct dial Phone access, GPS logging, SMS to any mobile phone, Mail Box messaging and Emergency (Help) call monitoring. 

We make the most of operational features available on newer CODAN, BARRETT and ICOM commercial radios, while still supporting older radios, making Austravel SafetyNet the premier of all HF radio networks.

Austravel now has six bases in total, two of which are North of the Tropic of Capricorn.   That locates two bases  covering very remote areas  where it is nice to travel and mobile phone communication is sporadic. (See map below)  We have a focus on having a high technical standard at the bases.   In the North bases have two antennas each to cater for close and long range communication while Perth base as a specific antenna to provide very strong signals to the North,  North East covering the vast state of W.A.  and into the N.T.

As membership grows we will add additional bases to continue to allow parallel, simultaneous operation by members for the all the Telcall+ features as listed above.  Meaning all the bases can be used at the same time.  The Austravel committee has approved a new base installation in the South West of South Australia planned for 2022.   This is members funds at work expaning the netowrk.

Base and mobile frequencies

YOU MUST HAVE AN AUTHORITY TO TRANSMIT AND HAVE A TYPE APPROVED RADIO TO USE THESE FREQUENCIES

(Networ range is restricted by license  to calls within  Australia and Australian commercial waters zone.)

Amateur radios generally are ARE NOT TYPE APPROVED.

Operating protocol

• Always use your selcall ID upon initial contact.  
• Using the network callsign is not essential as the base operators will announce at the statutory intervals.  
• If your radio does not have a roger beep, please use OVER at the end of your turn.  (The base operators may sometimes find it difficult to determine if you have finished without the roger beep or an OVER.) 
• Take your time when talking, HF conditions can make conversations difficult to follow if you speak too quickly or too far away from the microphone. Project your voice and annunciate clearly, however there is no need to shout!  Hold the microphone near your mouth tilted at an angle, imagine talking across the face of the microphone in a slightly elevated, normal speaking voice.   Phonetics are useful if the conditions are poor, we strongly recommend learning them but it is not essential.  You may be asked to "say again" by the base operators, take your time there's no rush.  
• There is a slight delay through the phone network and release time for a base to return to receive after the operater is speaking.  Allow about 1 second before replying to the operator.

Note that our or base operators and emergency responders are unpaid volunteers.  

Telco coverage mobile phones:-

The light ares on the map below show the areas of no mobile phone coverage.  The yellow icons show Austravel bases, with each having a realistic range of 1500Km in every direction, providing overlaping coverage. Austravel SafetyNet HF radio covers 100% of Australia.