Codan 8558???

now your talking! we use codans where I work you will have no problems getting them fixed or finding people that know how to program them etc etc dont know that model specifically but the price sounds ok because those auto tune ariels are ex$$ our work ones seem to be able to get just about any channel you want as the arial just tunes into the frequency it has well over 100 channels on it. we use sat phones as well and often find voice quality is better with these especially with the hands free unit. However I think someone such as yourself may find the social nature of HF is more to your liking

Hi Melissa
did a check of mine and the model numbers are
8558 auto tune antenna
8525 radio main box
8530 remote head
I think 8511 is the antenna controller for the auto tune antenna,but mine has gone missing and will have to locate another one. you can still use a multi tap antenna if the auto tune goes bung.
the model codan prefix No. 85xx refers to the year 85 being 1985 model.
There is a lot of codan gear over in the west you can keep an eye on ebay,you might get one cheaper.
Gerald Muscat ph 08-80881242 in Broken Hill he repairs and set up the radio's for the Flying Doctor Service & Telstra, you can give him a call, he can help you out with your questions.
When you do get your codan, they hate voltage drop, if you get the original 12v feed for it ,it is quite large . A loud squark out of the speaker and an "E1" fault on the display is low voltage just something to remember if you have trouble
regards
Bob

Hi Melissa,
Look at the net present value cost comparision between a sat phone and HF on this site under 'Communications' comes out with the HF way out in front over a theoretical ten year ownership period.

Also work looking at www.bushcomm.com.au Based in Perth and specialises in 2nd hand HF radios.

Regards

John

Hi Melissa
Also it is worth looking at a Barrett, either with auto tune or tapped verticle antenna. If the Codan has the frequencies you require then it should be fine. The Barrett is very easy to have frequencies added to it.
Regards Ray
VKS Victor 2010

We went thru the same thing a few months ago, ended up going for the Sat phone as we can use it outside the vehicle and take it with us on walks....Walked a few k's out on a salt lake once and we were looking at our cars in the distance thinking if anyone drove up and did anything to the cars we'd be well and truly stu ffed.
I know it's not very likely but it got me thinking.
We also grabbed the Sat phone thru telstra and just pay it off interest free, which suited out pockets at the time of going away. I still want to get an HF eventualy, for grabbing information etc, but for us the sat phone was a better option for emegrencies. Also often leave it with someone who wants to stay at camp while the other goes for a drive or to a town.
One other thing, I originaly wanted the HF first because I thought if something goes wrong, like a break down, I don't want to have to ring a town, when all I may need is someone who might be just over the hill driving past, and someone I met on a trip suggested simply having the VKS phone number and calling them, and they could call out to the people with HF's and see if assistance was available.

Hi Melissa.

Speak to Terry Clinch at Terlina Outbacker Aerials in Canningvale. He is a straight shooter and not full of BS. Talk to him about second hand HF Radios, Barret -v- Codan.

Barret is made here in W.A. in Bibra Lake and their after sales service is next to none. Here I speak from experience on both counts.

Regards