VKS 737 Radio Network

24/10/2026

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Gerald Aulich AFSM (VKS-737 Mobile 2283) on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, aged 84 years, following a long illness.

In May 1997, Gerald joined the VKS-737 Radio Network alongside his wife, Wendy, and son, Michael. Shortly thereafter, he offered to host a base station on their property in St Marys, Tasmania.

Commissioned in December 1997, the St. Marys Base continues to provide excellent service to VKS-737 travellers, who have always been warmly welcomed to visit.

In June 2013, Gerald, Wendy, and Michael were awarded Life Memberships in recognition of their dedicated contributions to the operations of the VKS-737 Radio Network.

Alongside his work with the VKS-737 Radio Network, Gerald dedicated more than six decades to the Tasmania Fire Service, having first joined the organisation in September 1960.

In 2009, Gerald was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in recognition of his exemplary leadership, professionalism, and outstanding service at a national level.

Further honoring his six-decade commitment to community safety, he was presented with the Commissioners Medal for Distinguished Service and a 60-year Tasmanian Fire Service Long Service Certificate and Medal in December 2024."

We extend our deepest sympathy to Gerald's wife Wendy, his family, and his many friends.

Gerald was always so deeply appreciated, and he will be long remembered by us all.

19/10/2026

Have you tried Channel FOUR?

We introduced Channel FOUR (our 15MHz Frequency) early this year to make it easier for people to make contact when a long way from an available base. We're not sure if people actually appreciated how well it works during the day when you are 1500km or further away from any base.

As an example of its reach, one of our volunteer base operators recently talked to our Charters Towers Base from the very south of the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. Signals were loud and clear both ways. That's typical of this frequency's reach. It works from one end of Australia to the other.

I can talk to Meekatharra Base from my car in Victoria's Grampians on Channel Four, using just a 900mm whip. Remember, it's a long distance, daytime frequency.

We listen for the first five minutes of most daily voice skeds. Check the current Summer Schedule for times and give it a go. Channel Two is generally for distances up to maybe half way across the country and Channel One is for shorter hops and night time use.

Locking in to the nearest base can leave you disadvantaged. What about it? Give it a go!

15/10/2026

CHANNEL TWO (8 Mhz) TERRIBLE TONIGHT:

Thursday 15th October: I've been listening both on Adelaide and Stawell Bases, as I normally do given that Stawell Base is located on my property.

HF conditions on 8MHz have been absolutely terrible lately at this time of the day (1900 Hours SA Time). When transmitting on one base I hear nothing on the other. On our 5MHz frequency (Channel ONE) the 500km path is perfect.

SO... Don't be a Channel TWO purist. If you can't get through on that and you are less then a thousand kilometres from a base, try Channel ONE. You might be pleasantly surprised with its performance, especially when conditions don't favour Channel TWO.

Having said this, 10 minutes later on Channel TWO the path between St. Marys Base in Tasmania and Stawell Base in the Grampians is excellent. Ever tried St. Marys Base? Give it a go! I've regularly worked into WA from St. Marys Base.

15/10/2026

This article was published recently by Garry Cratt of Tecsun Radios Australia. It is reproduced here with his permission:

Historically HF radio has been the backbone of military communications in all conflicts since WW2. Able to provide long distance communications via skywave or short range communications via ground wave, manpack transceivers have become the norm in most conflicts.

The advent of satellite communications has opened up real time broadband links from command centre to front line, provided there was sufficient space and power available. HF still rules where SATCOM is not viable, ie in jungle, polar regions, valleys and where a clear sky is not possible.

One important consideration of modern military communications is the vulnerability of satellites in space, which can be disabled or jammed. Countries of significant military capability have demonstrated the capability of destroying in orbit satellites and jamming spaceborne navigation networks.

In this scenario HF communications becomes a viable backup to SATCOM. It is for this reason that in addition to routine communications, Emergency Action Messages utilize HF. This may be of interest to shortwave listeners.

The term EAM refers to plain voice encoded messages sent on shortwave (HF) frequencies by the US military to communicate with nuclear capable assets. Such communications are normally used for training, but can be used to authenticate and authorize deployment of strategic nuclear weapons.

Frequency of EAMs can vary with current military threat levels and hold more importance during times of conflict.

The frequencies used are public knowledge and are used to routinely broadcast several times each day. They are intended to be heard and used by aircraft and nuclear silos to issue commands and to confuse enemy intelligence. These messages generally originate in the Northern hemisphere but shortwave propagation means they can be heard around the world at various times.

With the advent of a world wide network of online SDRs, listening has been made even easier.

The frequencies used are part of the High Frequency Global Communications System (HFGCS) and include 4724, 6712, 6739, 8992, 11175, 13200, and 15016 Khz. These transmissions are always in USB mode and form another interesting facet of shortwave listening.

Apart from EAMs, there are many country specific military HF communications networks that can prove interesting to shortwave listeners. Both the Australia and New Zealand military have HF networks. Information on these networks including voice frequencies are public knowledge.

Voice frequencies reportedly used in Australia include: 12172, 15962, 9047, 5878 and 22868 Khz.

5696 Khz has been reserved and allocated for military distress traffic.

12/10/2026

VKS-737 Colin Brown Celebration of Life...

Back on September 19th we published a notification that Colin Brown, one of the people instrumental in the establishment of the VKS-737 Radio Network and the first ever Base Operator had passed away at 93 years of age.

The Celebration of Life for Colin Brown will be held on Wednesday 18th November from 2pm until 5pm at the Henley and Grange Baseball Club, 233 Bartley Terrace, West Lakes Shore SA 5020.

To attend you need to book ahead by going to:

www.trybooking.com/DQOVY

Join family and friends to celebrate the life of club member Colin Brown.

19/09/2026

It is with great sorrow that I have to announce the passing of Colin Brown (VKS-737 Mobile 0009), aged 93 years, on Monday 14/09/2026 following a short illness.

Colin undertook an active part in the initial negotiations with the then Department of Transport and Communications (now Australian Communications and Media Authority) in 1992 which led to the establishment of a HF radio network for use by 4WD club members.

Colin was the inaugural radio operator for the Adelaide Base when the VKS-737 Radio Network commenced in 1993. He continued in the role of an operator for many years until his hearing began to fail and he found it difficult to manage radio calls.

In the early days details of calls to Network base stations were manually recorded in a logbook. Weather and road condition reports were sent to Colin by fax in a very log single sheet which Colin used to wrap around a 4-litre paint tin for ease of reading (see photos below).

Colin was also a regular volunteer at 4WD and Caravan & Camping Shows until 2021.

In acknowledging his dedicated input into the operations of the Network, Colin was awarded Life Membership in June 2013 (see photo below).

Colin’s family is planning a Celebration of Life Ceremony. As soon as I have the details thereof I will publish them to assist those who may wish to attend.

Rest in peace Colin. You were a great mentor and wonderful friend of mine.

Steve Johnston OAM
Chairman / Administration Manager
17th September 2026

07/09/2026

Daylight Savings Approaching and a Bit on Channel Two Purism:

Don't forget that we change to our Daylight Savings Schedule from the first Sunday in October. In areas affected by Daylight Savings you only need to remember that skeds are an hour later. Non Daylight Savings areas - No Change.

Are You a Channel Two Purist?

Yes? No? If Yes then you may well be disadvantaged when it comes to making contact on your trips or even out from home.

We introduced Channel FOUR earlier this year, during the first five minutes of skeds that operate while the sun is up in that particular location. It was to enable people who were a long way from a base they wanted to contact. We're talking upwards of 2000 kilometres or even more.

As an example, I can work Meekatharra Base in WA while mobile in Western Victoria. Same with Alice Springs Base and that's using a one metre long mobile whip.

Another point... What about Channel One? You may be surprised how well that works as the sun goes down. St. Marys Base in particular gets significant distances around the country on both Channel Two and One. Have you ever tried that base?

Don't lock yourself into working the nearest base or just a single channel. All our logs go into a national database. Give others a try.

19/08/2026

Annual Moonambel Gathering:

Once again the annual Moonambel gathering will be held on the third weekend in October. This has been going for well over 20 years and is an excellent social event. It's open to anyone with an interest in HF Radio. You don't have to be a VKS Subscriber to take part.

You can contact Stuart Boden on 0439 550 167 or just rock up if you're in the general area.

See you there!

29/04/2026

Channel 4 Now Being Used Successfully on our daily Voice Skeds:

Since the introduction of this Channel into the mix we're getting really good results, including up and down the East Coast and to Alice Springs, all the way across the Nullarbor and from the East to the West.

Remember that it is a long distance frequency (1,500 kilometres PLUS), suitable for daytime use. All of our daily voice skeds, with the exception of St. Marys Base start with at least a five minute listen on Channel 4.

Give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised.

25/04/2026

Today is a time to pause and remember honour and courage, also the sacrifices of those who served in various conflicts, past and present.

Anzac Day is a time to reflect not only on past events that drew our military services into action, often resulting in extraordinary losses but to also remember often forgotten heroes that stood beside them. From horses, carrying soldiers across harsh terrain over a hundred years ago, dogs who delivered messages while providing comfort and pigeons that flew through danger to deliver vital messages before the advent of modern communications.

Their contributions were extraordinary and their bonds with those who served alongside cannot be forgotten.

Let us also remember the many members of our Armed Services who are currently deployed around the world, some in hostile environments. May they stay safe and well.

Lest we forget...

Check this article on our Website for more images:

https://vks737.radio/anzac-day-2026/