SO MANY ANTENNAS - OPERATION DAWN STRIKE 2026 (Williamtown RAAF)

 RAAF Wedgetail with a plethora of antenna's 

Live coverage of Operation Dawn Strike from Williamtown RAAF base this morning..

Play Loud

 

 

#RAAF

#OperationDawnStrike

#2026 

UNIDEN 396XT (Only) - MULTI PROGRAMMED FILE (Download File Via Freescan)

Hello and Thank You for purchasing the Master file to program your radio = UBCD396XT ONLY

First thing is to wipe/reset your radio. (If you haven't done so already)

Why?

Because when Uniden shipped out your radio, it was programmed with frequencies from NZ and Australia... we don't need this.

To reset your radio,

0. Turn off your radio

0. Hold down the following keys

0. 2, 9, HOLD

0. Turn on while pressing these 3 buttons

Load Preset will show... press “NO”

Now that your scanner is as fresh as the day you got it, you will want to plug it into your computer and fire up the Freescan (download here = https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MiF8fLqLSgPahH5Sjy8q85UGPgrbsfmk

After the software is up and running, we need to be able to talk to your radio, to do this you need to plug your radio into your computer while the program is running.

Plug your radio into a USB port

Select Comm Port and click on ‘Auto Detect’.. your scanner should show, highlight on scanner in the ‘Comm Port Auto Detect’ an click on ‘Set Select Available Port’

The Com port should now be set

Your radio is now talking to your computer

Exit out of Com port setting

If The software did not start 'Auto Dectect' with your scanner

You may need to unplug and plug back in your radio if no detection is found, even try turning the scanner on and off, each time pressing autodetect once you plugged your radio back into the computer.

Also check the Baud rate is set to 115200 (also check this in Scanner Settings)

Also check this in your scanner settings, click on the button on the side of Scanner (Menu) and go to settings, using the top knob, scroll till ‘Set Serial Port’ press yes, and change to 115200 press yes to exit, then menu side button to exit.

Also closing and reopening the software program also helps.

May take a few go's ... be patient

Sometimes it works first go, sometimes it can take 15mins, just depends on the scanner.

If you still have problems with getting the scanner talking to your computer, try downloading this driver to make your serial cable talk to your computer..LINK = https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ti4wFoCWGOWX5PVIbpfHY2qga-b8nS6O/view

Once your radio is talking to the software, you can now download your master database file and save to your computer

**** YOUR MASTERFILE DOWNLOAD

DOWNLOAD LINK = (save this file on your computer) (Use MASTERFILE 396xt file)

 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N0_ZQrDuu0KuUX_9J3ii4_CvIS-fsTuA 

 

All you need to do now, is open the software and click on database ‘Open’, then search for your downloaded 396XT AIR MASTER17 file and double click... it should now load into software

Once this is done, have your scanner talking to software and click on ‘Upload To Scanner’ under the ‘Systems’ tab to upload... 2nd from the left,

Make sure that EVERYTHING IS TICKED, once done, click on the “Start Upload” button.... it can take around 10-15mins to download to the 396T and about 5mins for the 396XT

Press the Close button once done..

 

BANKS
1 = RURAL FIRE (Fireground, NPWS, Aviation, PMR)
2 = LOCAL COMMS (Medea, Ferries, STA Busses)
3 = MEDICAL RESCUE (Air Medical, ESO, VRA)
4 = MARINE (Marine NSW, Marine Rescue)
5 = SYDNEY AIRPORT (VHF Comms, WSI (Western Sydney Airport)
6 = LOCAL AIRPORTS (Camden, Bankstown, CTAF)
7 = MILITARY (Richmond, Williamtown)
8 = AIR COMPANYS (REX, Qantas, Virgin)
9 = CB RADIO (AM, AM/FM, UHF CB)
0 = AMATEUR RADIO

 

By pressing the various bank numbers on your scanner While you are in SCAN mode, (eg, press the number 5 on your scanner to turn bank 5 off and on)

IMPROVE YOUR SCANNING EXPERIENCE

1. ANTENNA UPGRADE = the rubber antenna that came with your radio is not very good. These radios love a strong signal to work properly so it highly recommended. For a good budget antenna with 3db gain on UHF, I use and recommend these antennas from Secomms (15) = https://secomms.com.au/product/nl701-uniden-upgrade-antenna/ For something with a bit more quality, I use these antennas = Diamond SRH771 from Strictly Ham for $39... LINK = https://www.strictlyham.com.au/diamond-srh-771#.X3_BOS_ZWf0
2. RECHARGEABLE BATTERYS.. Radios with PSN require a good power source as it’s intensive processing required.. I use and recommend Panasonic Eneloop Pro (2450mh) that are made in Japan...Cost is $40-50 for a pack of 4 on EBay (I used Gadgetcity in Merrylands, NSW)
3. Don’t turn your radio over volume 8 for long periods.. it will burn out the speaker

Regards

Michael Bailey

NSW Radio & Communications

 

 

 

TIMELORD17 - LEARNING TO FLY (Story Behind The Video)

Hello and Welcome Back... For those who don't know, not only do I run this site (NSW Radio & Communications) but I also run another site, that being a music website called Electronic80s /Soundz80s.

This site has 2 parts, one side 80s music and the other side is 'Today's Music that Sounds Like it Came From The 80's = Soundz80s 

I am also a music producer going under the name 'Timelord17' where I get to craft various tasty sounds (mostly 80s) using lush 80s synths & drum machines

My latest single blends 2 of my favorite things, 'music & aviation' the song is called 'Learning To Fly'

There are 2 versions of this most wicked song, 1st version is a 'Synth Rock' track and the other, a 'Slow Lush' Version (Higher Than Before Version)

The video for the Synth-Rock version is below.. Take a Listen

 

 

The second version is where my love of aviation comes in. Being a slower song, I was looking for video to match the lushness this song so I reached out to my local airport, namely the 'Australian International Aviation College' in Port Macquarie on the mid north coast..

While they didn't have any video, they did offer me a introductory flight to be able to film my own footage. 

I was chuffed. I have never been in a small light aircraft before so I was a little nervous. The plane that I would be going in is a Diamond DA40 (VH-A13) and the flying instructor was named 'Ben'. 

 

The Beast (above)
 

Getting into this small airplane, it was comfortable and well displayed being a fairly new craft. The diesel engine kicked into life as we taxied along the runway. Takeoff was exhilarating, you wouldnt think such a small engine could produce the thrust need but it does, and it feels amazing, as the world below me got smaller and smaller. 

As we skirted the coast, around 40mins into the flight, the question was asked, 'Do You Want to have a Go?'

WOW, Mind blown as I was already fairly nervous. I took control of the stick and my instructor calmly let this magnificent aircraft into my hands. First thing you notice is how heavy the 'steering' is but after a few mins, it becomes easier as I changed from a death grip on the stick to a more comfortable grip as 'VH-A13' glided through the sky. I even got to do a 180 turn, nice and easy maneuvers while watching the altitude and direction is surprising easy. Nice and gentle while watching the horizon is the advice.

Must say, beats the hell out of Flight-sim on computers..

The tight turns and the feeling of drifting up & down due to turbulence is next level. Has to be experienced to be believed, seriously, if you love using flight sims and want to feel the real thing, give the college a call (ask for Kate) and they will look after you.. Site is here = https://aiacollege.com.au/

Its a 10/10 experience 

Oh yeah, and I made this video to match my music, couldn't have done it without the guys / gals at AIAC, Huge Thank You.. I'm still floating.  

Take a Listen & Play Loud

 

TIMELORD17 - LEARNING TO FLY (Higher Than Before Version) 

 

Note = This is not an endorsement from the AIAC, Its my own experience and wanted to share with you fine readers.

#NSWRadio&Communications

#michaelbailey

#aiac

#learningtofly

#AustralianInternationalAviationCollege