Radio Communication frequencies inc Aircraft, Military, Amateur Radio, Shortwave and anything else that comes under the Radar in N.S.W. - by Michael Bailey
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Hello and Welcome Back... Prob the cheapest Airband radio you can get.. My Quansheng came today, i ordered last Wednesday and it came today (Monday)... That's super fast and only cost me $20 something dollars..
Im going to try to flash the software sometime soon.. Good to see the Airband has had an update too
Holsworthy military base (ICAO: YSHW) is an Australian Army military barracks, located in the Heathcote National Park in Holsworthy approximately 25 km (16 mi) from the central business district, in south-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
The barracks is part of the Holsworthy military reserve, which is 22,000 ha (54,000-acre) training area and artillery range for the Australian Army.
Holsworthy Army Barracks is home to
145 Signal Squadron 2nd Commando Regiment 6th Aviation Regiment 1st Health Support Battalion
Home to Blackhawk & Sea King helicopters.. Sadly the Taipan Helicopters are no longer..
FREQUENCIES
72.350 - Agency Range (Primary) 77.825 - Army 82.400 - Agency Range (Secondary) 121.000 - 6 AVN RGT HQ (CTAF) 124.550 - Sydney Radar 132.900 - Holsworthy (Dept of Defence) 136.500 - Holsworthy (Dept of Defence) 150.9625 - Holsworthy (Dept of Defence) 151.025 - Holsworthy (Dept of Defence) 151.1625 - Holsworthy (Dept of Defence) 151.2125 - Holsworthy (Dept of Defence) 151.275 - Holsworthy (Dept of Defence) 161.200 - Dept Of Defence (Moorebank) 285.400 - Army 394.900 - Army 487.200 - Holsworthy (Dept of Defence) 490.5375 - Holsworthy 492.925 - Holsworthy Range Control
#army
#armyfrequencies
#holsworthyfrequencies
#NOTE - These frequencies are for military / aviation enthusiasts only.
Hello and Welcome Back... Summer has come early this time around, and while i love the heat, so does Bushfires..
(Winmalee Fires 2013) (above)
I live in Springwood, bang smack in the middle (almost) of the Blue Mountains.
There have been several large bushfires in the Blue Mountains over the years, but the biggest and most scariest for me was the 2013 Winmalee fires.
It was a hot, windy day and i was getting ready to go pick my kids up from Winmalee High & Winmalee Public school around 2pm
As I was about to leave, I heard a heap of sirens so I figured I would grab my scanner and a little birdie in my head told me to grab my camera as well... I'm Glad I Did
As I was rounding the top of Hawkesbury rd, Springwood near the golf course, i could see a huge plume of smoke..
This was the view (below)
My first thoughts were, 'Shit, My Kids Are In There Somewhere'... sadly, I didn't get to them.. It was to be 3-4 days before i would get to see my kids again..
I made it to the bottom of the hill and that's where i was stuck as the road I was now on resembling a car park. The amount of Emergency Vehicles that was now flying past me was staggering..
I turned on the scanner to revealed the true horror, multiple 'Red' messages were coming through the speaker from both the RFS (Rural Fire) and Fire Brigade (Fire & Rescue) as one by one, various trucks from other suburbs were now flying past me..
I tried to phone my wife but phones were out as the influx of people trying to contact love ones pushed the nearest phone tower to its limit.. So was internet, that was down too.. I sent multiple messages trying to let my wife know what was happening, who was at home, oblivious to what was going on
This was the view from where i was parked (Below)
Thankfully, one of my messages got through and my wife rang relatives who lived on the other side of the fire who picked up my kids before things really hit the fan..
From where I was, nobody knew how big this fire had spread in such a small space of time... I did, because my scanner was now, my only form of communication... I could hear what was happening, as it happened..
In a Bushfire, never rely on the phone network as i just gets choked with messages, phone calls and internet all trying to get information, all at the same time..
Your scanner, when programmed correctly, is your only source of instant information that could mean life or death..
That day on 17th October 2013, 248 dwellings in Winmalee, Yellow Rock and surrounds were burnt to the ground, 193 houses were lost while another 109 houses were damaged.. Sadly 2 people died..
It all started when trees hit power-lines causing then to spark..
So, What To Program?
The first thing I always program into my radio are the Air Frequencies as helicopter support are often the first real good 'Birds Eye' view on how big the fire is and where its heading..
RFS (Rural Fire Service) has several helicopters & other large aircraft on standby at any given notice, those include Large Air Tankers, three fixing wing aircraft and seven helicopters including a CH-47 Chinook
Next thing I program is RFS Fireground channels as this get a good idea of whats happening on the ground.. Fire Ground is limited to 5w of power so you have to be fairly close to hear them..
161.0125 - NSW Fire Service Headquarters (Homebush) 161.1500 - NSW Fire Service Headquarters (Homebush) 460.69375 - NSW Fire Service Headquarters (Homebush)
RFS - PMR (Personal Mobile Radio)
Kurrajong RFS
-
77.6625
Yetholme RFS
-
77.9125
Jews Mtn RFS
-
78.2125
Lithgow (Hassans Walls) RFS
-
78.2375
Terrey Hills RFS
-
78.7375
Hillside RFS
-
78.825
Glenorie RFS
-
78.825
Heathcote RFS
-
78.925
Razorback (Camden) RFS
-
78.9875
Homebush (Olympic Park)
-
161.0125
Hornsby Heights RFS
-
161.0375
Terrey Hills RFS
-
161.0625
Hillside RFS
-
161.0750
Glenorie RFS
-
161.0750
Prestons (Liverpool) RFS
-
161.0875
Heathcote RFS
-
161.1125
Homebush (Olympic Park)
-
161.150
Plumpton RFS
-
161.2125
Oberon RFS
-
161.2250
Wilberforce RFS
-
161.2375
Campbelltown RFS
-
161.250
Silverdale RFS
-
161.3375
Narellan RFS
-
161.3625
Regentville (Penrith) RFS
-
161.3875
Nattai RFS
-
161.400
Terrey Hills RFS
-
161.400
Kingswood RFS
-
461.04375
Lithgow RFS
-
461.31875
And Lastly PSN (Public Safety Network) ex GRN (Government Radio Network) (P25)
Programming for PSN/GRN can be complicated as you will need to program Base Frequencies as well as TGID (ID Tags) that tell your scanner who using the radio..
The PSN can be complicated for new users or scanner lovers who have come back to scanning after a long time away from the radio...
I offer a service where I will program everything you need in case of emergency... and more.
In regards to PSN/GRN Programming, I use settings that make the radio more sensitive, COWs (Cell On Wheels) so your radio stays working while planned work or emergency's do things to the towers, I also have 35 years of scanning experience and I live in Springwood, Blue Mountains as the radio program I use to keep my friends and family safe is the same one I offer you..
Hello and Welcome Back... I Finally managed to get my hands on a Uniden 325P2 Radio Scanner and have been playing with it for a week or so.. Here is My Thoughts.
If this radio looks familiar, that's because its built using the same casing as Uniden UBC93XLT, Is this a good thing? Lets Find Out..
So, i'm guessing someone from Uniden seen that they had excess casings of an old scanner and decided to breath new life into the budget scanner market.. and so the 325P2 was born..
And it kinda works, almost..
Inside it has the same menu system as the 396T/XT which makes this radio compatible with Freescan software.. But that's where the resemblance to the 396XT ends. I was hoping that the 325P2 was a 396XT with added features but, sadly no.
For those who don't know, the 396XT has to one of the best scanners ever invented. The sensitivity of the 396XT is legendary, excellent for Airband, Military Scanning and just about anything you can throw at it so when i seen that the 325P2 had the same menu system, I remained hopeful that it had the same sensitivity as its little brother (396xt) Buuuut... Sadly no.
(a Uniden 235P2 in the Wild) (Above)
Firstly the 325P2 seems deaf.. Using the supplied antenna, i was surprised how it seemed to hardly pick anything up... Was it in the programming?
I switched to 2 different programming software to see if something was not right, I started with Freescan then went to Proscan (Proscan has better settings esp with DMR)
But nothing seemed to work so then i thought 'Antenna'
I hooked the radio up to my outdoor antnna and it started to receive better. I also noticed that the firmware was was behind (Use UBC VUP3 to update firmware) so i updated the firmware.. Not sure if its just me but i thought this update only made it more deaf..
Using the outdoor antenna seemed to be overkill so i looked at handheld antennas but was limited as the 325P2 uses a BNC connection and most of my handheld antennas are SMA.
I run a Diamond SRH771 on my 436PT and absolutely love it, its has to be my fav antenna but what to do with my 325P2?
So i decided to buy a BNC to SMA Female adapter so i could mate the Diamond antenna to the adapter and try that..annnnd.. IT WORKED
The 325PT burst into life, It was like a new radio.. It kinda looked funny with the adapter and a gap where the antenna connected so i got a couple of little washers to fill in the gap and some heat shrink and DONE.. now not only does it receive excellent, it looks good too.. Win Win
GOOD POINTS
Large Screen and Well Lit
DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) Compatable
NXDN Compatable
Phase 1 & 2 P25
Good Size (Fits Well Into Hand)
BAD POINTS
No Backlit Keypad
Seems Deaf without a Decent Antenna
2 Battery's Only (Battery's tend to die quickly when using P25 /DMR)
Limited in Programming = Limit of 255 sites in PSN/GRN
Limited in Programming = limit to 20 groups for each bank
Limited in Programming = Limit to 500 TGIDs in Trunked P25 Sites Only
(Only 2 battery's for this radio, 3 would have been better) (Above) Recommend Enloop Pro 4300mha batterys
CONCLUSION
Should You Buy One Of These Radio's?
YES
Once you get a decent antenna (something with a bit of gain), some good battery's and programmed properly, its an excellent little radio.. The screen is easy to read, i wear reading glasses and even without my glasses, i can still see the screen.. The backlight is also excellent, i just wish it followed down to the keypad..
Sensitivity could be better, something as good as the 396xt would be the best and having 3 batterys for when the going get tough decoding P25 or DMR
Hello
and welcome back.... Surf Lifesaving NSW patrol season started on 16/09/23 for the 2023/24 Season so I thought i would update my database, South Coast to Newcastle (for now)...
FREQUENCIES... Most of these frequencies require DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) activated on your radio (cc = Colour Code)
SLSA VHF 27.750000 Central Coast SLSA 464.725000 Central Coast SLSA 465.112500 Central Coast SLSA 467.337500 Central Coast SLSA 470.525000 Waverley / Bondi SLSA 471.200000 (Surfcom) (cc8) Far South / Newcastle Coast 472.675000 Northern Beaches SLSA (Collaroy) 472.750000 South / North Coast SLSA 472.950000 Far South Coast (Bega) 473.250000 Central Coast SLSA 473.300000 Central Coast SLSA 473.425000 Waverley / Bondi SLSA 473.525000 Central Coast SLSA 473.575000 La Perouse SLSA 473.675000 Wollongong SLSA 473.800000 Central Coast SLSA 474.025000 (Wollongong Surfcom) (cc8) Cronulla SLSA 474.050000 Central Coast SLSA 474.175000 Wollongong SLSA 474.250000 Northern Beaches SLSA (Manly) 474.725000 (cc7) SLSA Helicopter Base (La Perouse) 474.862500 South Coast SLSA 474.987500 SLSA Helicopter Base (La Perouse) 475.100000 Central Coast / Newcastle SLSA 484.825000 Surf Lifesaving (Aust Wide) 484.950000 Surf Lifesaving (Aust Wide) 485.000000 South Coast SLSA (Maiua Bay) 485.137500 Central Coast SLSA 487.850000 Central Coast SLSA 488.625000 South / Central Coast SLSA 488.650000 South / Central Coast SLSA 489.225000 Central Coast SLSA 490.175000 Cronulla SLSA 490.575000 La Perouse SLSA 491.087500 Various SLSA (Bega) (Collaroy) 494.550000
477.025 = UHF CB Ch 25 - Training & Patrols 477.150 = UHF CB Ch 30 - Training & Patrols
WESTPAC RESCUE HELICOPTER
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Services runs several bases across NSW. Their main Northern site is at Broadmeadow (outside Newcastle) which is their Maintenance Facility.
Another's are (Lifesaver 21) @ La Perouse (Sydney), Belmont, Lismore & Tamworth & (Lifesaver 23) @ Moruya (South Coast)
01 = on duty, available for tasking
02 = on standby and available for tasking
03 = on meal break
04 = begin pack up patrol area
05 = leaving beach, toilet break
06 = entering water for training
07 = unavailable to respond to calls
08 = unable to be contacted
09 = entering water to undertake rescue
10 = lifeguard in trouble
11 = search for missing person in water
12 = search for missing person on land
13 = mass rescue, many patients
14 = deceased person
15 = CPR incident
16 = shark sighting
17 = shark attack
18 = indecent behaviour
19 = undertaking first aid treatment
20 = undertaking enforcement function
21 = aircraft accident
Hello and Welcome Back... I thought i would do a review on the remaining available radio scanners that do Phase 2 (P25) PSN (Public Safety Network) / GRN (Government Radio Network) This is where you will find NSW Ambulance, Rural Fire, Fire & Rescue, SES, State Rail and heaps more (See Full List Here)
So, today, I Take a look (and listen) to the main drivers of Handheld Radio Scanning in 2023 before you pay out your hard earned cash
Who will be our winner??
Sadly, The Uniden UBCD396XT will not feature in this showdown as this radio is Phase 1 only.. :(
Uniden 396XT is a robust radio scanner that is excellent for Aviation / Military Listening (Above)
CONTESTANTS
UNIDEN 396XT (N/A) (Phase 1 only)
UNIDEN 325P2
UNIDEN BCD160DN (N/A) (No P25)
UNIDEN 436PT
UNIDEN SDS100
WHISTLER WS1040 (N/A) (Yet To Test)
*** UNIDEN 325P2 ***
GOOD
* Robust Construction
* Phase 1 & 2
* DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) Compatible
* Easy To Program (Proscan/Freescan)
BAD
* Battery Life is Woeful
* No Backlight Keypad
* Limited to 255 sites on P25
The Uniden 325P2 is a remake of the UBC93XLT which is why these scanners still has the 2 battery configuration which is this radio's downfall. When you add power hungry P25 & DMR decoding, you need power to back it up... Most radios that do this decoding have 3 battery's, not this scanner. Battery problems aside, this scanner has the same inside architecture (Radio Menu) as the UBCD396XT so its fairly easy to program.
Reception on analog like Airband / Military Airband is excellent and is the last of the full analog type scanners as the SDS100 & 436PT use SDR (Software Defined Radio) as part of there reception..Prices for these radios have gone up substantially
*** UNDEN 463PT ***
GOOD
* Robust Construction
* Backlit Keypad
* Phase 1 & 2
* DMR / NXDN Compatible (Digital Mobile Radio / Next Generation Digital Narrowband)
* Micro SD Card (up to 32gb)
BAD
* Screen Is Hard To See In Sunlight
* Programming Is A Nightmare (Use Australian Version of Sentinal Software)
* Reception Can Be Hit And Miss (does well with an External Outdoor Antenna)
* No Actual 'Scan / Hold' Button
* Speaker Is Prone To Burn Out If Up Too Loud (Don't turn up over 8, the speaker will burn out)
These radios are a hybrid of Analog and SDR (Software Defined Radio) have an extremely well build to them, it feels solid in your hand. Sometimes a bit deaf using an handheld antenna, hooking up to an outdoor antenna will give you the best results. The 436PT uses 3 battery configuration and can charge rechargeable battery's in the scanner.
The 436PT uses a Mirco SD card (up to 32gb) for it memory and is a very strong learning curb to program. Took me several months to nut out the various menu systems so if you like database type programming, you will do well with this radio.
One thing i noticed going from a cold environment to a warm environment (inside the house to outside in the sun) the screen tends to fog up..
Over all, an excellent scanning experience..
*** SDS100 ***
GOOD
* Waterproof Construction
* Large Colour Screen
* Phase 1 & 2
* DMR / NXDN Compatible (Digital Mobile Radio / Next Generation Digital Narrowband)
* Micro SD Card (up to 32gb)
* Excellent For PSN/GRN Decoding
BAD
* Antenna Socket Limited (only a few antennas will fit due to plastic rim protruding due to waterproofing)
* Battery Clip Prone To Snapping
* Side Recharging Port Prone To Breaking (USB Charging Port)
* Cold Solder Joint Problem
* Heats Up Like An Oven
* Screen Is Hard To See In Sunlight
* Battery is Limited (Brick Style Battery, No AA Battery Option)
* Programming Is A Nightmare (Use U.S Version of Sentinal Software)
* Reception Can Be Hit And Miss (External Outdoor Antenna is recomended)
* No Actual 'Scan / Hold' Button
* Speaker is half hidden and sounds muffled (Don't turn up over 8, the speaker will burn out)
The Uniden SDS100 is a full SDR (Software Defined Radio) radio scanner built into a waterproof housing. Sounds good on paper but sadly, has a heap of problems. To start, the antenna socked is protruded with a plastic type rim so only a select few antennas fit this radio without the use of a adapter and considering its a $1000 radio, its just a joke. Not only does it look stupid with a SMA to BNC adapter but is prone to easily snap if any pressure is put on it.. Out of 12 antenna's in my collection, only 2 fit and one sits on 2 threads hanging on for dear life
Then there is the 'Cold Solder Joint' problem that plagues these radios. I know of 5 people who have had this happen to them. The Cold Solder Joint problem is where there are 2 main circuit boards joined together in the middle by a connector that can break very easy. What happens is, when in use, these radios heat up massively and the solder that holds the connector in place can snap if bumped or dropped and will have to be sent back to Uniden to get re-soldered (or if your handy with a soldering iron (and out of warranty))
Heat is also a issue as just running it for 30mins to 1 hour can see the screen and antenna socket get almost too hot to touch, one wonders what this does to the internal components of this radio as heat is the number one killer in computers
The side recharging port (USB) is also prone to breaking if too much pressure is applied as is the battery clip that holds the battery cover to the main unit. Numerous pages online of people who have gone with the 'pregnant' extended battery option only to have the clip break in half and is forced to use a rubber band to hold together their sub $1000 radio together. Thankfully you can get a clip made on a 3D printer that seems to work. One wonders why a metal type clip was not used?
On a good note, It does decode P25 PSN/GRN fairly well, I have set the hold for 4 seconds and that seems to work..
*** CONCLUSION ***
Other contenders for this showdown could include 'Whistler' WS1040' but i'm yet to play with one of these scanners so i can't add it..
At the end of the day, everyone is different.. Some people like a challenge and love spending hours and hours learning to program a new scanner and some people just want to turn it on and listen..
For me, i have been using radio scanners since i was 16 with my first being a 10ch Tandy (Realistic) scanner and i still had problems programming various new radios, seriously, they don't need to be this complicated.
My SDS100, I just want to throw out a window, I have owned i for a few weeks and its frustratingly deaf especially on Airband (analog) and don't even try using the handheld antenna, it hardly picks anything up while my 436pt sitting next to it with exact same antenna and using the same set-up programming is going nuts picking up heaps... I'm thinking of selling my SDS100 or doing some modifications, drilling / dremel the antenna socket out so its larger and cut the foam in half for the battery lid so less pressure on the battery clip or replace the clip with stronger built plastic ??
I would have to recommend the Uniden 436PT as my go-to scanner of choice.
The 436PT, once programmed properly, is well build (i have dropped it a few times) radio scanner with heaps of features and with the right combination of programming / battery & antenna setup, its a win win..
I recommend using Panasonic Enloop Pro (2450ma) AA batterys (4 pack coast $30 on Ebay) for extra goodness..
Hand Held Antenna's i recommend is the Nagoya NA-771 or the Diamond SRH771.. I have used both these antennas with excellent results
Hello and Welcome Back... As predictions of a Hot Dry Summer for 2023-24 continue, now is a great time to program the scanner in readiness in case things turn bad..
National Parks & Wildlife Service (also known as Office Of Environment & Heritage (ACMA)) runs a fleet of helicopters & light aircraft around NSW for both Field Operations and Fire Fighting
Current Fleet
Parkair 1 (VH-NPX) - Aerospatiale AS 350B3 Helicopter Parkair 2 (VH-NPD) - Eurocopter AS 350B3 Helicopter Parkair 3 (VH-WDS) - Airbus Helicopters H125 Helicopter Parkair 4 (VH-UAH) - Eurocopter AS 350B3 Helicopter Parkair 5 (VH-ZHG) - Eurocopter AS 350B3 Helicopter Parkair 6 (VH-TFV) - Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Airplane Parkair 7 (VH-TQV) - Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Airplane
Hello and Welcome Back... If you use Flight Tracker, you may have seen these Learjets off the South & North coast of NSW usually in numbers of about 3 or so
Air Affairs Australia (AAA) are owned by Qinetiq, an Australian owned company used by Australian Air Force for Training, Bushfire, Transport of Officials & Aeromedical uses.
Head office is located on South Coast of NSW (Yerriyong, South Nowra)
I have seen them on Flightradar24, usually in 3 formation doing training off Newcastle coast..
South Coast Base (below)
Air Affairs Australia owns and operates a fleet of special mission 30 & 60 series Learjet and Kingair aircraft..
Hello and Welcome Back... Sad News for owners of Uniden 396T / XT
& 996P2 radio scanners as various reports online of Phase 2 PSN is currently
underway.
The Uniden 396T /XT & 996P2 models are Phase 1 Only (sadly)
If
you own a Uniden 396T / XT or 996P2 and the PSN (Ex GRN - Government Radio Network) suddenly stops working,
its a high possibility that your local tower has switched to Phase 2
** What is Phase 2? **
Phase 2 PSN (Public Safety Network) is UHF 6.25khz 2 Channel send/receive while PSN/GRN Phase 1 is 12.5khz single channel..
The Uniden 325PT (handheld) is a basically a remake of the UBCD73XLT but redesigned.
The main problem i encountered with the 325PT was the battery life.
From the forums i read and the various comments, they all said the same
thing, the battery life is crap, like it lasted 3 hours on a set of AA
battery's kind of crap... But on a good note, It does DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) and Phase 2 PSN/GRN
OR
The other option is the UBCD436PT
The first thing that gets you is the large screen and better battery usage but can be a bit steep in price.
The 436pt takes 3 batterys, has DMR and Phase 2 PSN / GRN
I own one of these radios and highly recommend..
OR
the SDS100 (Handheld) / SDS200 (Desktop) (The Best of the Best)
The
SDS100 runs purely on a SDR platform (Software Defined Radio) which is
why these radios can get very hot.. They are also cursed with the
dreaded 'Cold Solder Joint' problem = 2 large boards with a connector
joining the 2, the heat and movement breaks the solder that holds the
two boards together causing a breakdown.. Back to Uniden for repair of
if your handy with a soldering iron, a DIY project...The SDS200 Desktop Model doesn't have the cold solder problem.. Yay
The 2 main
scanners, 436pt & the SDS models take a Micro SD card for their
memory while the 325P2 is programed similar to the 396xt, they even have
the same menu system...
I can supply you with a pre-programmed
card for your new 436PT or SDS100 which is tailored to your area or
interest and i live in NSW, so i know whats going on and use the same
program i give to you.. i also include COWs (Cell on Wheels) frequencies
for the PSN/GRN.. I even adjust radio setting so your radio picks up better on PSN
For more info in getting your pre-programmed card, CLICK HERE..
Hello and Welcome Back.. Ever had one of those days where nothing seems to work ?
thats me today..
When doing email versions of my masterfile to customers, i have been using google drive to send the file as its imperative that the file stay intact = in it folder
during the holidays, my son and i set up a one drive account, mostly for my music files and i decided to also use this method to send my Email Masterfile..
Nope
Every time i try and send it, it continues to open the file and just shows the contents.. Onedrive, why is it so hard for a program to do what its intended to do, eg.. don't open my bloody file.
So after a whole morning wasted working out that the file i'm sending keeps screwing up, i'm going back to google drive
Sorry Phillip.. (current customer) Ill get it sorted...
Hello and Welcome Back... Had a few inquiry's on how to fix the little micro sd card slot door on Uniden Scanners..
Its any easy fix once you know how..
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
1. Toothpick (no, not the drug runner in Magnum P.I)
2. Hands like a surgeon (haha)
be sure to place the scanner with the smaller back part in front of you and hold the broken door upright...
slot the left hand side in first as there is more room on the right hand side, then using said toothpick, gently pluck the right hand side into place...
or, watch the video
HOW TO FIX A BROKEN MICRO SD CARD SLOT DOOR AND INSERT CARD