Profiles Of Australian CB Clubs
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL 4WD RADIO NETWORK INCORPORATED
......affiliated
with
The AN4WDRN Inc. is operated in conjunction with:
Sponsors 2000:
The Australian National 4WD Radio
Network is a Public Benevolent Institution established to provide communications
and safety logging services for members of the public travelling and working in
the remote areas of Australia. The Network also provides services for users of
aircraft and marine pleasure craft.
The Network was established in 1993 following a request from the
Australian Communications Authority (formerly the Dept of Transport &
Communications) in Adelaide with the view to setting up an Australia Wide 4WD HF
Radio Network for use by Outback travellers.
The need for a dedicated 4WD Radio Network stemmed from an ACA decision to clamp
down on the illegal use by Four Wheel Drivers of Outpost Radio Frequencies such
as 5300kHz, 5360kHz, 5410kHz etc. to make contact from their homes to others
travelling in the Outback. At times Emergency Calls through RFDS bases had been
disrupted when "illegal" users had refused to clear the channels when
requested to do so by the base operators.
The Network commenced operation in November 1993 with a single frequency of
5455kHz with a base station located at Hilton near Adelaide. The Network at this
stage was under the control of the SA Association of 4WD Clubs Inc.
At the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council conference in Tallebudgera (Qld)
in September 1994 the Network was renamed as the VKS-737 Australia Wide 4WD
Radio Network and placed under the control of the National Radio Officer who was
part of the ANFWDC Inc. The Network was now available for use by members of all
four wheel drive clubs Australia Wide that were affiliated with the ANFWDC via
the relevant State 4WD Associations.
Over the next couple of years the Network was expanded with the addition of 4
extra frequencies and also additional base stations located in strategic
locations around Australia.
Towards the end of 1995 and in early 1996 it was decided that membership of the
Network should be made available to ALL Outback travellers rather than being
restricted to only members of 4WD clubs. A referendum of members was held, and
it was approved by a majority vote that the network undergo major changes
including becoming a separate body, affiliated with, but no longer under the
control of the 4WD Association.
In December 1996 the Network was transferred to the control of the
Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc. and the Australian Taxation Office
issued approval for the Network to become “a Public Benevolent Institution
established for the relief of sickness, suffering, helplessness, destitution and
misfortune to a disadvantaged section of the community, being all ‘outback’
travellers who are in distress by providing them with emergency assistance and
support in co-operation with other organisations”.
The Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc. is a
public benevolent institution.
All Gifts of $2.00 or more to the Network are allowable tax deductions to the
donor under Section 78(4) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.
The Network has two way affiliation with the ANFWDC. The Chairman of the
Australian National 4WD Radio Network holds the position of National Radio
Officer in the ANFWDC, while the Council also has a Voting Representative on the
Radio Network Committee.
In January 1997 the Australian National 4WD Radio Network became a partner in
Tread Lightly! Australia.
At the Tread Lightly! Annual General Meeting held at Coffs Harbour in March
1997, Steve Johnston, the Chairman of the Australian National 4WD Radio Network
Inc., was elected to the Board of Directors of Tread Lightly! Australia.
In the middle of 1997 a formal agreement was signed between the Australian
National 4WD Radio Network Inc. and the South Australian Police to provide a
joint safety communications network for members using VKS-737 Network
frequencies fitted in SA Police country and remote area patrol cars and police
stations. Similar arrangements are also in place with Western Australia Police.
The police have full access to our base station interconnects Australia wide.
VKS-737 frequencies are also fitted into Police vehicles in Victorian Country
areas.
Similarly an agreement was signed with the Australian Customs Service to provide
a service by our members towards the running of the Customs Watch program. All
of our bases are linked directly to the above organisations and members have
direct access 24 hours a day using Selcall.
VKS-737 frequencies are also fitted into some Department of Environment &
Heritage vehicles in SA. This allows members access to National Parks Rangers to
obtain information and get help in the case of emergencies.
The Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc. is controlled by an Executive
Committee of seven people (who are elected for two year terms by the Network
members), plus representatives from affiliated organisations:
Base Stations are presently located at Adelaide (SA), Alice Springs & Darwin
(NT), Cairns (Qld), Newcastle (NSW), Derby, Perth & Sandstone (WA) & St
Marys (Tas). All bases except Sandstone can be remotely controlled from any
other base.
The base station operators provide the following services to members:
- Daily safety logging of members locations and
planned movements over the following days.
- Message handling to and from family, friends etc.
- Medical advice and emergency aid arranged through RFDS Bases at Broken
Hill (NSW) and Jandakot (WA), as well as from the SA & WA Police.
- Road Condition Reports from Transport SA, Department of Transport &
Works NT, DEH SA, Main Roads WA, RACQ, NRMA & RACV.
- Weather Reports, Bushfire Danger Index Warnings* & Cyclone Warnings
from the Bureau of Meteorology.
- HF Propagation Warnings and Information supplied from IPS Radio &
Space Services.
* The Alice Springs Base provides Bushfire Danger Index Warnings for the benefit
of our members as well as the members of the Alice Springs & Tennant Creek
Volunteer Bushfire Brigade / Bushfire Council NT. This service is part of a
joint working agreement between the Australian National 4WD Radio Network and
the Bushfire Council NT.
VKS-737 Serving Outback Travellers since 1993