UHF radio 40 to 80 Channel

[Trevdeb]

Caught the end of a radio interview yesterday about 40 Chanel UHF maybe being turned off in 2016, the person also mentioned some 40's can be converted to the new 80's. Did not hear the whole story.

Would this be a good option or just buy a new one ?. Thank for all options/ideas

Trev

[speewa158]

Watch out for sales on 80Ch ,then step up if you need to or don't as the case may be . There are so many 40Ch around they cant switch it off , you are the transmitter 

[oldmate]

There is no difference between a 40ch uhf and the first 40ch on a 80ch uhf is there??? 

[HKB Electronics]

The both use the same frequency allocation.

[cassgazz]

Best off to contact the manufacturer, and give them the serial number of the unit.

I had the hardware on my GME unit upgraded by the manufacturer for $75. Some can be done by just using a sequence of button pushes, however mine was an earlier model.

[scarpsD40]

There is no difference between a 40ch uhf and the first 40ch on a 80ch uhf is there??? 

correct, first 40 channels same on both. See link
http://uhfcb.com.au/80-Channel-UHF-Information.php
See FAQ's on this link
http://uhfcb.com.au/UHF-CB-Changes.php

[Patr80l]

Although the frequencies of Channels 1 to 40 remain the same, the breadth of the frequency peak is narrower on the 80 Channel set.   They refer to it as "narrow band".   This allows them to squeeze the extra channels in between (ie Ch 41 sits between Ch 1 & 2 etc).  Newer 40 Channel sets should be OK but older ones may be a bit too "broad" and interfere with the adjacent new channel.   That's why they want to phase out 40 Channel sets.   I doubt you can convert 40 to 80, although just before the introduction of 80 Ch they were selling the new sets with Ch 41-80 de-activated.   After Day One of 80 Channels you could enter a code to open up the extra channels.   

[Patr80l]

There are so many 40Ch around they cant switch it off , you are the transmitter 

I had the hardware on my GME unit upgraded by the manufacturer for $75.
[/quote]

and for $99 you can buy a new 80Ch unit.

[HKB Electronics]

I doubt you can convert 40 to 80, although just before the introduction of 80 Ch they were selling the new sets with Ch 41-80 de-activated. 

It is a moot point but my mate had his 6 year old GME upgraded to 80 channels, my GME unit,
remote head type couldn't be but it was a newer unit.

[cassgazz]

I had the hardware on my GME unit upgraded by the manufacturer for $75.


and for $99 you can buy a new 80Ch unit.

Not a remote head unit. I was happy to pay the $75, rather than forking out $300 or whatever they are for a new unit.