UHF versus 27Mhz CB

Submitted: Monday, Oct 11, 2010 at 23:05

Allan B, Sunshine Coast,

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This is NOT about comparing the relative qualities of UHF and 27Mhz.
But it does explain why I have not been able to contact some truckies on Ch40 UHF.

On a recent trip I camped near a large converted bus motorhome. It displayed a total of 8 (yes eight) antennae mounted on a rail above the cabin. As I studied them the owner emerged and asked if I would like an explanation, which went like this:

FM/AM broadcast band
HF autotune
Next G for phone
Next G for internet
Police band scanner (owner was retired cop)
UHF tuned to a selected channel
UHF on scan
27Mhz CB
He also had a satellite dish for TV!

The owner explained that many truckies are using 27Mhz to isolate themselves from the UHF recreation fraternity. So calling them on UHF40 may get you nowhere.

Next day with a road train hot on my tail I was able to contact him on UHF40 and offer my cooperation for him to pass. It was appreciated. Later I pulled up alongside him at a roadhouse and chatted. I put the 27Mhz question to him and he confirmed it. In fact he said that he also carried 27Mhz but responded to UHF "if it suited him".

So there I had the answer as to why some truckies do not respond on UHF.
They either do not hear you ...... or choose to not hear you!

Cheers
Allan

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AnswerID: 432756   Submitted: Monday, Oct 11, 2010 at 23:18

Joe n Mel replied:

wow, that is interesting and explains a few things .... looks like the clock has been wound back to suit the basic "need" for the 2 way radios as they were intended to be used for .....
Us n the kids n our FZJ105 livin n wurkin where others are bustin to visit .... YES WE FINALLY SOLD THE 75 4 DOOR
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AnswerID: 432758   Submitted: Monday, Oct 11, 2010 at 23:24

Gone Bush (WA) replied:

Allan, your quote today:

"Next day with a road train hot on my tail I was able to contact him on UHF40 and offer my cooperation for him to pass. It was appreciated."


Your quote on August 7th:

"With a bit of luck the other vehicle may just also have a UHF and with a bit more luck may even be listening on your broadcast channel, and with even more luck may even pay you some heed. You have a better chance of winning the lottery. "

Hope you're going to spread the wealth with your lottery win....

I'm glad I ain't too scared to be lazy
- Augustus McCrae
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FollowupID: 703517   Submitted: Monday, Oct 11, 2010 at 23:58

Allan B, Sunshine Coast, posted:

Yes Stephen, this was the first time of a number of attempts for me to succeed in contacting a truckie. It must be my resonant voice that puts them off.
I did consider buying a lottery ticket but don't want to push my luck too far!

Maybe I'd do better buying a 27Mhz CB radio. Come to think of it, my HF is programmed with 40 channels in the 27Mhz band. Perhaps I could try that..... but which of the 40 would I use? It's all just too much!

As for "spreading my wealth". Was that a sarcastic comment or wit?

Cheers
Allan

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FollowupID: 703518   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 00:08

Gone Bush (WA) posted:

Just a good natured dig Allan. I'm glad you had some success with the radio.

Speaking of 40 channels what are we going to do next year when UHF CBs come out with 80 channels? I'm not entirely across the proposed changes but I believe it's 80 channels.

We'll be like a dog with 2 d..... lol

I'm glad I ain't too scared to be lazy
- Augustus McCrae
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FollowupID: 703520   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 00:15

Allan B, Sunshine Coast, posted:

I guessed it was just a dig Stephen. Just like mine of Aug 7, hmm?

Yep, I understand 80 also. Maybe my friend in the motorhome will need to add a ninth antenna. lol But I certainly won't be upgrading!

Cheers
Allan

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FollowupID: 703523   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 00:55

Member - Doug T (NT) posted:

Allan
Allow me just one question, are you using a Uniden.

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My sadly Missed Mate
Dusty, 8/6/1996 - 20/1/2010
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FollowupID: 703524   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 01:01

Allan B, Sunshine Coast, posted:

No, a GME TX4400 Doug.
Which incidentally, worked fine in a recent convoy.

And you can ask as many questions as you like mate.
(But I may not be able to answer all!!)

Cheers
Allan

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FollowupID: 703528   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 01:46

Member - Doug T (NT) posted:

Allan
No that's all mate, case closed , you may go.

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My sadly Missed Mate
Dusty, 8/6/1996 - 20/1/2010
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FollowupID: 703539   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 09:15

Member - Boobook posted:

Doug, It is interesting you ask that question. Recently I went away with 3 other vehicles, 2 of us had GME 5 W, 2 had Uniden in vehicle 5 W. All was fine up close but with a bit of distance, the Uniden guys could hear each other clearly and the GME guys could too but GME to Uniden and visa versa was weak.

Have you seen Uniden to GME ( or other ) issues? , I am fascinated why you asked that question given what we experienced.
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FollowupID: 703546   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 09:51

Member - Doug T (NT) posted:

Boobook
I have explained this a couple times on EO over the last 3 years, archived thread would take time to find, I began using CB's back around 1976 , would have been among the 1st Truckies to use the 23Ch AM 27Mhz, mine I bought from Tandy in Wagga, then we went over to UHF as well when hit the market, after constant using one gets to know if a signal is close or far ,As a Pilot/Escort driver you call and talk to every oncoming truck, and caravanner if you suspect he/she's on air, many times I get get a badly distorted incoming signal, as if the person has a gob full of a Big Mac , and I done this test many times, I ask what brand of radio are you using,,answer is always Uniden, GMC and Icom will give your listener a clear sharp reception that is easy to understand, I have been disputed this claim but I'm convinced, do the test yourself and see.

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My sadly Missed Mate
Dusty, 8/6/1996 - 20/1/2010
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FollowupID: 703548   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 10:06

Member - Boobook posted:

That is certainly consistent with what I observed on the trip Doug.

I usually travel with other people ( not even sure what UHF they had) and never experienced the issue till that time.

I thought I was imagining it. I though Nah, the standards will make sure they are all 100% compatible. It was like they were a little off frequency or something.

I have a uniden 3w hand held which seems ok, but I only ever use that a hundred meters or so away for winching etc.






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FollowupID: 703550   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 10:17

Allan B, Sunshine Coast, posted:

Doug, your last post on this Uniden thing was 69157.
After reading it I'm glad I don't have a Uniden!

Cheers
Allan

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AnswerID: 432759   Submitted: Monday, Oct 11, 2010 at 23:25

ross replied:

Sounds like the crazy ex CIA dstation boss/dad in Meet the Fockers

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FollowupID: 703521   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 00:18

Allan B, Sunshine Coast, posted:

Yes Ross, I didn't see inside his van but it probably looked like your photo.
Nice bloke though. Besides, with all his contacts I would prefer to keep on his good side! LOL

Cheers
Allan

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AnswerID: 432764   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 00:14

billy the kid replied:

Well, if they dont answer on uhf40 they can't complain if we hold them up.
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FollowupID: 703522   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 00:22

Allan B, Sunshine Coast, posted:

Billy, they don't complain to me. They just plant that three-storey high radiator grille about one metre from my rear window!!!!

Cheers
Allan

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AnswerID: 432765   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 00:56

SDG replied:

I still run both in the patrol. Often hear just as much on channel 8, as on channel 40.
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FollowupID: 703538   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 09:04

Allan B, Sunshine Coast, posted:

SDG, is your channel 8 on the 27Mhz?

Cheers
Allan

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AnswerID: 432771   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 07:24

aussiedingo. (River Rina) replied:

G'day all, when touring I travel with HF, 2 x UHF & 27meg 3 way with SSB plus 2x different Sat. phones, plus 2- 3G mobile x 2 carriers! Plus a UHF handheld for each passenger. (phew!)
...dingo...041 9990888.."the only thing constant in my life is change"


1980 Landcruiser HJ45 ute
1990 Landcruiser FJ62 wagon
1979 Sunwagon
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FollowupID: 703535   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 08:30

Member - Lionel A (WA) posted:

Hey dingo,

I travel with a GME 3220 that doesn't receive, a Uniden handheld with flat batteries and a Missus that doesn't bother yakk'n cos she thinks I'm deaf.

Oh...the bliss.



Cheers.......Lionel.
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FollowupID: 703537   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 09:00

Allan B, Sunshine Coast, posted:

Dingo, It must be like an Indian call-centre in your cab!!

Lionel, Ahhhh, bliss!!

Cheers
Allan

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FollowupID: 703960   Submitted: Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 18:13

Simon (NT) posted:

I was just thinking that it'd be a bit like the Pentagon situation room, hahaha.

That's a LOT of comms stuff, but I suppose it depends on where you are going and how much you want to make sure you'll always have something to communicate with.

S
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AnswerID: 432780   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 09:23

Baz&Pud (Tassie) replied:

Allan B
In our travels have noticed some vehicles with a number of antenna's, maybe three,
1x UHF
1x 27mhz
1x Next G
can't quite understand why this guy would have one for Next g phone and another for the internet.

Why not just have the one with a splitter??

Could be he likes to draw attention to himself.
Cheers
Baz
Go caravaning, life is so much shorter than death.
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FollowupID: 703542   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 09:37

Hairs & Fysh posted:

Or double as a mobile clothes line.
;)
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FollowupID: 703544   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 09:42

Allan B, Sunshine Coast, posted:

Hi Baz,

Yes he probably was proud of his antenna array.
However, using a splitter does introduce a signal loss of maybe 3.0dB so possibly he wished to avoid that

I also have a Next G antenna but simply transfer the cable from phone to computer when needed. Not into multi-tasking anyway. LOL

Cheers
Allan

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FollowupID: 703565   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 15:53

Capt. Wrongway posted:

This has been the case for a long time. The reason I purchased my duel band Uniden ( 27mhz & UHF ) a number of years ago, was because a number of my truck driving friends were using them. That radio has been in a number of 4wd's and is still going strong. Very convenient being able to avoid the many radio "ratbags".
Capt.
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AnswerID: 432816   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 18:40

Member - Ian F (WA) replied:

Hi Allan,
Just as a matter of interest I have an old Uniden UHF52XR hand held with a separate replacement 12v power pack for vehicle use. It is a 1 watt/5 watt, switchable unit, in the rodeo I have a UHF s/s external antenna plugged directly into the UHF. In the 5 watt mode I have spoken to a mate 18 km away on the Leinster Mt Magnet Road. He was amazed how clear it was especially a crap Uniden.
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FollowupID: 703570   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 18:48

Allan B, Sunshine Coast, posted:

Hi Ian,
I have limited experience with UHF in general and no experience with brand or model performance.
Perhaps others may see the significance of this but with respect, its a bit lost on me.

Cheers
Allan

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AnswerID: 432886   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 15:27

Simon (NT) replied:

I'm kinda glad that I just bought a Hatadi Pearce-Simpson Super Puma AM/USB/LSB CB a couple of weeks ago.

Just need to find myself an aerial cable and hopefully a bullbar mount for it and I'll be set.. Anyone who has a suitable cable and mount they want to get rid of can msg me or email me :-)
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