Our H.E.L.P. (4357) system is available to all members - On some radios your emergency button(s) can be programmed to automatically send a distress alert message on multiple channels.

N.B. all channels are available mobile to mobile including marine vessels in Australian waters.

We allow all of the channels to be used mobile to mobile including vessels, be mindful of the sked times to minimise interference to others.  In total Austravel has 26 licensed frequencies which all provilde direct dial Phone access, GPS logging, SMS to any mobile phone, Mail Box messaging and Emergency call monitoring. (restricted to calls in Australia and Australian commercial waters zone.)  We make more use of the features available on CODAN and BARRETT radios than any other network.

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 you radio does not have a roger beep, please use OVER at the end of your turn.  The base operators will 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.  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 normal speaking voice.   Phonetics are useful if the conditions are poor, we strongly recommend learning then but are not essential.  You may be asked to "say again" by the base operators, take your time there's no rush.  

Also note that our or base operators are unpaid volunteers.