Quick update: HF has been installed, and we're heading off to Oz (via Denmark) in October...
Read more online by starting at www.g-atys.co.uk if interested!
Andy
Aussie Andy: Which HF did you install and how did it work out on your trip?
Aussie Andy posted that over 3 years ago 
Yep!
A year later…
I’m curious too.
@Aussie_Andy
Any chance you can give a PIREP on the HF radio you used and the process of implementing it?
Thanks!
Holy thread resurrection!
This thread didn’t mention the antenna arrangement. Some involve a wire antenna from the storm window to port wing to fin to above the cabin, which presumably costs a few knots. Others involve the old style retractable antenna which is reeled out with a cup to allow it to trail, ideally without fouling the tail plane! Fun in convective weather!
Goose Bay, Santa Maria and St John’s will only issue the required IFR clearance via HF, so you can’t take off without HF. Why a satellite phone is not allowed is in the same category as an NDB approach with no GPS allowed.
Where are the ground stations for Goose Bay, Santa Maria and St. John’s? Both styles of HF antennas you mention (the latter will have woefully tragic performance if it’s lying on the ground) will mean the HF transmission from the aircraft just won’t go very far. The first style at best will work as an NVIS (near vertical incidence skywave) antenna when on the ground, and may be able go a limited distance greater than the ground wave, but on a typical GA plane will also be electrically short (read inefficient, meaning most of the RF power from the radio will go to waste). Or can you pick the IFR clearance up in the air?
RobertL18C wrote:
Goose Bay, Santa Maria and St John’s will only issue the required IFR clearance via HF, so you can’t take off without HF. Why a satellite phone is not allowed is in the same category as an NDB approach with no GPS allowed.
Better can you park inside the hanger or behind the tower and ask a friendly “Air-Bus” to do the RT relay ?
alioth wrote:
Or can you pick the IFR clearance up in the air?
I never heard of HF on the ground requirements. My oceanic flying so far was with VHF only but those clearances got delivered from ground as every normal IFR clearance. Only difference is you are supposed to read back the whole thing completely where usually you just say flight planned route.
But it could be they clear you only to some point in VHF range and then later you have to contact them via HF to get more.
Well YT has its own Herr HF Professor !
Impressive to see the clear communication between hawaii and SF via a cable antenna attached to a suitcase, next to a fuel bag (at 8:40)
