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 on multiple channels, gaining automatic access to a human operator.  Our HELP is not just for life threatening emergencies. There are many circumstances that can arise  in remote areas where you may just require assistance.

 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, be mindful of the sked times to minimise interference to others.  In total Austravel has 31 licensed frequencies which cover all of Australia and all bases have Telcall+ which  provildes 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.

Base and mobile frequencies

(Restricted by license  to calls in Australia and Australian commercial waters zone.)

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

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.