> Well, one of the things we lack here is blanket coverage of > repeaters. It only takes a few hours drive from here in the big > smoke to find places devoid of repeater coverage. Traditionally, HF > fills this gap, but then you're isolated from the international > networks and have to rely on the vagaries of HF propagation. Even > domestically, this can prove a challenge, with the Travellers Net > requiring several relays to achieve national coverage, and even then, > results can sometimes be marginal. > > "short range" (i.e. up to 500 miles) HF links that can manage > acceptable audio, consistent signalling and a control channel could > be interesting in this environment (Anyone want a gateway with a 300 > or 500 mile radius to mobiles? ;) ).
I have some experience with mobile HF - http://www.ke5c.net/mobile/ If you want reliable HF communications from say 50 to 500 miles, you will need a frequency agile gateway because you are going to have to use 160 to 20 meters depending on the time of day, and some days you will not have a path on any HF band depending on your range. You will also need a KW in your car as well, particularly if you need to pay the 10 db s/n digital penalty. 73 -- John
