UHF CB - whats the go!

[Jason B]

Hey guys

I have just pick up my 80 series and it's fitted with a UHF CB radio. I have one of these fitted to my work vehicle also however I have never taken the time to find out in's and outs of using one. The main reason for this is that we also have our own UHF radios that we predominately use, a police radio and Sat Phones and Epirbs for emergencies, so the UHF CB has not been a priority for us.

I wont have these other systems fitted to my personal truck so I need to find out as much as I can about etiquette for CB use. Re their dedicated Chanel's for emergency use, what are the most popular Chanel's used by travelers, cocky's truckies etc. Do the police monitor any channels etc.

All info welcome, I have a good understanding on to use a radio, just not the specifics about channels, which channels are duplex etc etc for a CB.


Thanks


Regards


Jas

[outback jack]

All info welcome, I have a good understanding on to use a radio, just not the specifics about channels, which channels are duplex etc etc for a CB.


Jas

this should help

http://www.uhfcb.com.au/40-Channel-UHF-Infomation.php

[Redback]

Also you'll need to upgrade to the new 80 channel UHF soon, as the old 40 channel system will soon be obsolete.

Some 40 channel UHF models are upgradable, so check with the manufacturer to see if yours is.

Baz.

[WilSurf]

The UHF is mainly used when travelling in convoy and on trips to listen if there are others on the track ahead of you.
Channel 40 is (older system) is used by truckies and sometimes very interesting to listen to.

[krisandkev]

When travelling I usually have my scan set to scan the main channels, 10, 18 and 40. 40 is very handy for approaching wide loads and some road works. Near cities I have to turn 40 off due to the amount of rubbish, not to mention the language.

[WilSurf]

Near cities I have to turn 40 off due to the amount of rubbish, not to mention the language.

That is channel 1 in Perth.

[Patr80l]

The 40 channel sets will still be allowed for a little while yet (another year or two I think).... and whose going to check?
The 80 channel sets interpose an extra channel between the original 40.   The numbering of the original 40 remains the same; ie Ch 37 on a 40 channel set is the same frequency as Ch 37 on an 80 channel set.   Someone with an 80 channel set can talk to someone with a 40 channel set.
The problem lies with the requirement of a narrower frequency band of each channel on the newer sets.   On older 40 channel sets the "broader" frequency spread on each channel may interfere with the adjacent channels on an 80 channel set. (Perhaps less likely on a newer 40 channel set)

[gronk]

Also you'll need to upgrade to the new 80 channel UHF soon, as the old 40 channel system will soon be obsolete.

Some 40 channel UHF models are upgradable, so check with the manufacturer to see if yours is.

Baz.

I think it will be a bit like the digital tv switchover Baz....took years to come about....so I wouldn't be too worried if I had a 40 Channel CB....in fact nearly everyone has one..

One advantage I suppose ( for a few yrs anyway ) is you could talk on the new extra 40 channels and it would be a fair chance no one else would be able to hear you !!.......thats if your friends have a new CB as well ??

[WilSurf]

I have read somewhere that it will take 5 years to phase out the 40 channels.

[gronk]

I have read somewhere that it will take 5 years to phase out the 40 channels.

Correct me if I'm wrong.....but won't the old CB's still work  into the future as well....??   just that they won't pick up the new extra 40 channels ??

[dno]

I have read somewhere that it will take 5 years to phase out the 40 channels.

I think you'll find its going to take 5 years to phase out the sales of new 40 channel units.
IMO
I see no reason why a currant 40 channel would be unusable in the future other than no longer being desirable.

[Racer]

When travelling I usually have my scan set to scan the main channels, 10, 18 and 40. 40 is very handy for approaching wide loads and some road works. Near cities I have to turn 40 off due to the amount of rubbish, not to mention the language.

Who/What is on Ch10?

[Hairs]

I see no reason why a currant 40 channel would be unusable in the future other than no longer being desirable.

This is what I've been thinking.
I've watched most threads in forums about this, and i believe the same thing.
Even tho it will be illegal to use an older 40ch, who is going to check yours? I've heard someone saying that they transmit on a different Frequency, but how will the authorities know who was transmitting?
Sorry for sounding like a skeptic, but it stinks to me, I've heard all the reasons for it, that there is too much traffic on the 40ch's, Some of the channels will be for data only, who knows.
Just like digital tv, I was happy with the 5 channels I had, now i have 16 odd channels(4 of them the same and 3, I can't use) with even more crap on them. And each time there is a storm I lose most of them, but this is called progress.
Yeah right.
 

[Mace]

Who/What is on Ch10?

4wd Convoy/clubs - channel 10
Caravaners & campers - channel 18
Truckies Highway channel  - channel 40

as per outback jacks link in post No. 1.

 

[dno]

Sorry for sounding like a skeptic, but it stinks to me, I've heard all the reasons for it, that there is too much traffic on the 40ch's, Some of the channels will be for data only, who knows.
Just like digital tv, I was happy with the 5 channels I had, now i have 16 odd channels(4 of them the same and 3, I can't use) with even more crap on them. And each time there is a storm I lose most of them, but this is called progress.
Yeah right.
 

X2
16 channels and 9 out off 10 times there's crap on every one.
They used to have 18 channel 27mhz radio's years ago, and I think the UHF radio's will follow the same route.

[Muso]

Here in Adelaide the morning CB (6 - 7 am) is 99% trucks, roadworks or construction. Twits antagonise Ch 40 because they know the truckies will bite (then the foul language starts).

As for protocol..........ha, what a joke. Especially in the northern suburbs (won't go there) where the twits use a repeater channel to threaten to kill the guy who lives in the next street.  Any channel goes.

From an old 27megga from way back.

[SUPA105]

Who/What is on Ch10?

Ch10 started out as the Simpson channel a few years ago and has become the unofficial 4WD UHFCB Channel used by many.

Cheers

[Patr80l]

This is what I've been thinking.
I've watched most threads in forums about this, and i believe the same thing.
Even tho it will be illegal to use an older 40ch, who is going to check yours? I've heard someone saying that they transmit on a different Frequency, but how will the authorities know who was transmitting?
Sorry for sounding like a skeptic, but it stinks to me, I've heard all the reasons for it, that there is too much traffic on the 40ch's, Some of the channels will be for data only, who knows.
Just like digital tv, I was happy with the 5 channels I had, now i have 16 odd channels(4 of them the same and 3, I can't use) with even more crap on them. And each time there is a storm I lose most of them, but this is called progress.
Yeah right.
 

Apparently older 40 channel sets might interfere with the new channels (41 to 80) which sit in between the existing channels (1-40).    Probably wont be a big issue, compared to the interference you get from dodgy antennas and foul mouths.

[Hairs]

foul mouths.

Agree,
If there was a way of getting rid them.
I don't mind the truckies talking to each other the way they do to each other, after all it's their world I'm listening in on, But the brain dead morons that fill the air waves with abuse and vulgar pointless obscenities the closer you get to the major cities.
On our recent trip, we hardly a word from Grafton to Bourke, Broken Hill, The Flinders, but that changed as we approached Adelaide, then all good until we travel through to Geelong and it starts again until out to the other side of Melbourne. 
Same as when we travel to Brisvagas, all is good until we reach Tweed Heads on CH 29, then the rubbish starts.
It wouldn't matter if there were a 1000 channels, they would still be there filling the airways with their crap.

 

[gibbo301]

Personally i don't now whey people want 80 Channels i only use 3 or 4 of the 40 channels 

[Hairs]

I know there is another thread somewhere about the new 80 channels and I haven't looked for it yet.
These two links below might put some light on the subject.

80 Channel UHF Information
2011 UHF CB Changes

"Frequently Asked Questions
 
Will my old UHF CB radio still work when the changes take place?
 
Yes, You existing UHF CB radio will still work after January 1st 2010
 
Will my old UHF CB radio interfere with other channels?
 
It is possible that old UHF CB will interfere with new channels but you would need to be very close to another radio to create a problem
 
Can I talk to someone on a new UHF CB radio with my old UHF CB radio?
 
Yes, You will be able to talk to another person using a new UHF CB radio provided they are on one of the current 40 channels, if the other UHF CB radio is on one of the newly allocated channels then you will not be able to talk to them
 
Will I notice any changes when talking on a new UHF CB radio with my old UHF CB radio?
 
Yes, You will notice that the sound will be distorted but you will be able to talk to each other  "



Hope this helps.
 

[Pebble]

Hubby just brought a UHF for our rig, ended up with the Icom-IC440N...I'm guessing the N is for "new" as it's the 80ch version. He hasn't installed it yet though.

[Muso]

Also, 40ch uses wideband and 80ch uses narrow band (thats what the N stands for). My 80ch is very clear but not as loud as the 40ch.

[Pebble]

Also, 40ch uses wideband and 80ch uses narrow band (thats what the N stands for). My 80ch is very clear but not as loud as the 40ch.

That's good to know, thanks!