Royal Flying Doctor Service
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. RFDS uses the latest in aviation, medical and also communications. Delivering extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia.
The RFDS is also a not-for-profit organisation. Donations help to medically equip aircraft, and to also finance other major initiatives. Today, the RFDS has a fleet of 60 aircraft operating from 21 bases located across the nation. Providing medical assistance to over 270,000 people every year – that’s one every two minutes.
Sections of Out back Roads Used by RFDS
RFDS Communications
RFDS provides a HF radio network for travellers and those residing in rural and also remote parts of Australia.
Access to a RFDS radio base may also vary from state to state.
Jandakot airport WA provides state-wide coverage 24hrs. Voice and Selcall monitoring is also available.
Western Australia: Derby, Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Meekatharra and Kalgoorlie.
South Australia: Alice Springs is remote controlled back to Port Augusta, voice and alarm monitoring is available.
NSW : Broken Hill is the only radio base and has voice and alarm monitoring
Queensland: Bases at Charleville, Mount Isa and Cairns. They can be contacted with radios equipped with Selcall.
You will need an HF transceiver fitted with RFDS frequencies for the area of operations you need to talk to the Royal Flying Doctor. Transceivers are available from a number of suppliers. Outpost Radio Licences are required to legally operate the transceiver and is obtained via the Australian Communications Authority.
3 11612 kHz
4 14977 kHz
5 3995 kHz
6 6796 kHz
7 10180 kHz
RFDS Western Operations | ||||
Base | Telephone | Callsign | ||
| Derby | 1800 625 800 Or 08 9417 6389 (from satphone) | VJB | 2792, 5300 6945 | |
| Port Hedland | VKL | 2280, 4030, 5300, 5360, 6960 | ||
| Carnarvon | VJT | 2280, 2656, 4045, 5360, 6890 | ||
| Meekatharra | VKJ | |||
| Selcall: Contact with RFDS Western Operations can only be achieved with Selcall equipped radios using the following Selcall numbers on the above RFDS frequencies; | ||||
RFDS Central Operations | ||||
Base | Telephone | Callsign | HF Frequencies | |
| Alice Springs | 08 8648 9555 | |||
| Port Augusta | VNZ | 2020 , 4010 , 6890, 8165 | ||
| (Port Augusta is the communication centre for emergency contact RFDS Central Operations covering S.A & lower half of N.T.) | ||||
RFDS South Eastern Section | ||||
Base | Telephone | Callsign | HF Frequencies | |
| Broken Hill | 08 8088 1188 | VJC | 2020, 4055, 6920 | |
RFDS Queensland Section | ||||||
Base | Telephone | Callsign | HF Frequencies | |||
| Cairns | 07 4040 0500 | VJN | 2020, 2260, 5145, 5110, 6965, 7465 | |||
| Charleville | 07 4654 1443 | VJJ | 2020, 4980, 6845, 6965, 7465 | |||
| Mount Isa | 07 4743 2802 | VJI | 2020, 5110, 6965 | |||
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Selcall: Contact may also be achieved with Selcall equipped radios using the following Selcall numbers on the above RFDS frequencies; or alternatively on any of the VKS-737 frequencies listed.
| VKS-737 Channels – Frequencies 1 5455 kHz | |||||
Alternatively, you may dial 000 | ||||||
