UHF 40 v 80

Hi,
Just got a 40ch GME TX3220. Upgrade able to 80ch according to serial number. Is it worth upgrading to the 80 yet?
Ta
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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, Jan 14, 2014 at 19:28

Tuesday, Jan 14, 2014 at 19:28
Sooner or later you have to upgrade. 40Ch, or more correctly wide band, is planned to be phased out in 2017 and you may not be able to get it upgraded at some point.

The only real useful thing about 80 channels is that there are less fools on the upper 80 channels.
AnswerID: 524517

Follow Up By: Member - Chris_K - Tuesday, Jan 14, 2014 at 21:00

Tuesday, Jan 14, 2014 at 21:00
...at the moment! But wait until 80 channels is the norm. Then again I suppose it does spread the chatter out! :)
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Reply By: Ross M - Tuesday, Jan 14, 2014 at 22:47

Tuesday, Jan 14, 2014 at 22:47
Hootsmon
From what I found out when I had my TX3100 upgraded, some are user upgradable and others have to be sent to GME. My TX3200 isn't upgradable at all.

Possibly if it a recently made TX3220 it might be user accomplished by a switch on and press various buttons in a certain sequence. Some are. The Serial number ID's which are or not.
My 3100 wasn't and I sent it to GME, around $80 to have the mod fitted.

If you have to send it to them you have to decide on the worth of it for you or do you just buy a new model to get the 80ch.
Only way to tell the ful story is to contact GME or website for the info for your actual unit.

Decisions decisions.
Cheers
Ross M
AnswerID: 524529

Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 06:44

Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 06:44
Hi Hootsmon

From what you have just said, it tells me one of either two things.

You have just aquired a second hand TX 3220 from somewhere.......

Or just have just purchased it from some a shop that has very old stock, and I mean years old.

It has now been law in Australia now for a number of years regarding the now standard 80 channel UHF Radios and any radio that you purchase from any retail shop must already be 80 channel only.

It was no secret that the Australian Government were changing the law with the introduction of the new narrow band frequencies and to help consumers out, well before the law was implemented, Standard Communication made a number of changes to help consumers out.

Some radio models within certain serial number ranges were upgradable by either a couple of processed to save the customer the expense of going out and having to buy a new radio. Older radios, still within the serial number range could only be upgraded through a dealer at a very small charge to to the consumer, while later model units were upgrade able by the end consumer by following the easy procedure.

What a lot of people are not aware of is that it is now illegal for anyone to buy or sell a standard 40 channel UHF Radio.


Cheers


Stephen
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AnswerID: 524536

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 10:37

Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 10:37
Good point Stephen.

Yes, I agree, if Hoosmon just bought it, he should return it for a new one.


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Follow Up By: Bazooka - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 12:09

Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 12:09
Interesting comment Stephen. I was recently reading an ACMA document which suggested that the phase in period (until 2016) was, in part, to allow manufacturers and sellers of existing products to run down stock. Unless a retailer is offering a super-low price AND tells the buyer about the limited usage timeframe they're not doing the right thing of course.

I doubt ACMA has the authority to stop the sale of products which are still "licensed" but I'd be interested in reading what they say if you have a link. Even when 40ch UHFs become unlicenced there will still be thousands of them around for years I'd suggest.
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Follow Up By: The Bantam - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 13:50

Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 13:50
ACMA have the authority to do all sorts of things, but the reality is they have very little in the way of will and resources to do much in the way or enforcement.

Anybody who thinks people will stop using the thousands upon thousands of 40 channel units out there any time soon is dreaming...that includes ACMA.

cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Craig F (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 13:56

Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 13:56
To my understanding it is not illegal to sell your car with a 40 channel UHF…
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Follow Up By: The Bantam - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 16:04

Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 16:04
I doubt that there will be any enforcement effort whatsoever to prevent individual second hand sales of 40 channel UHF radios.

The only agency that would even be interested (possibly even know) in the issue would be ACMA and they have barely enough enforcement & inspection staff to deal with major breaches.


The only enforcement effort I would be expecting would be at the wholesale level, and the major manufacturers and distributers would have stopped shipping 40 channel UHF long ago.

In fact they will be rubbing their hands with glee, because they now have a new product to sell.

cheers

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 07:53

Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 07:53
Hi Craig

Selling your car is completely different to selling a UHF by itself.

If you are selling the UHF purely to sell the radio by itself, then yes it is illegal to do so, and likewise it is illegal to buy a standard 40 Channel UHF Radio.

Those are the legal requirement, but when it come down to the real facts, there will be thousands of radios still in use when the cut off period happens in 2 years.



Cheers



Stephen

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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 08:26

Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 08:26
Interesting, actually Craig F raises an interesting point.

According to ACMA, 40 channel UHF's ( 25khz) could be sold for 18 months after the introduction of the law which was 27/5/2011, in order to sell existing stock, ie 40 Channel UHF's could be sold until 27/11/12.

After that date, 25khz equipment could not be sold or resold even if it's in a vehicle as I read it.

From the ACMA web site:-

"The purpose of these arrangements is to stop the supply and resupply of 25 kHz equipment in a relatively short period while giving suppliers a reasonable opportunity to clear existing stocks. The arrangements will also ensure that legacy 25 kHz equipment will comply with the mandatory standard up to 1 January 2016, supporting the use (but not supply or resupply) of such equipment until that date. From 1 January 2016, everyone will be required to use 12.5 kHz equipment only.

It's also illegal to sell second hand radio microphones in the old frequency band after 1 Jan 2014.
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Follow Up By: The Bantam - Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 20:06

Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 20:06
The issue of 40 channel UHF radio is very different from the use of obsolete uhf radio microphones above 700mhz.

The UHF CB is a rehash of an existing band space for the same use.....a use that sees little or no enforcement action as it exists ....and zero enforcement effort is likely on the 40 v 80 channel issue.

The obsolete radio microphones however its an issue of a changed spectrum use and the new user is a paying customer....a customer who has paid severl million dollars for the privalige....the new use will be highly lucrative mobile phones and mobile data.

If obsolete UHF radio microphones interfeer with the new use.....there is likely to both civil action and heavy handed government enforcement.

Not that the 50mW radio mics will bother the digital modulated 25 watt mobile phone base stations or the 600mW mobile devices...most likely the radio mic signal will just get snotted.

Anybody who buys an obsolete UHF radio mic has rocks in their head......there are thousands of em about though.

Expect 40 channel UHF CBs to be in use for quite some time and there to be real practical issues about it...and no help from the government to solve them.

cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Jan 23, 2014 at 16:59

Thursday, Jan 23, 2014 at 16:59
Out of interest I thought I would email ACMA and ask them about selling second hand radios, and specifically including those in vehicles.

This is their reply. Well there you go.
________________________________________________________

Thanks for your email. The prohibition on supply of 25 KHz channel UHF equipment applies to all equipment that is manufactured in Australia, or imported into Australia after 26 November 2012. The re-sale of equipment that was imported or manufactured before this date is not prohibited under any circumstances; in addition, under the relevant ACMA licensing arrangements, the operation of that equipment is prohibited after 30 June 2017. It would be prudent to remove an offending radio from a vehicle prior to any sale.
Regards,


( Name deleted )
Manager
Technical Regulation Development
_____________________________
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Jan 23, 2014 at 17:02

Thursday, Jan 23, 2014 at 17:02
Hmm I just noticed a typo in their email ... Not prohibited. I guess that means it is allowed!! I'll point that out to them LOL.
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Follow Up By: Bazooka - Thursday, Jan 23, 2014 at 18:23

Thursday, Jan 23, 2014 at 18:23
Thanks for following this up Boo. Pity they can't be bothered to put the info up front on their website. In regard to the removal of the old 40ch radio before selling a vehicle, Darryl Kerrigan's comment comes to mind.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Jan 23, 2014 at 19:41

Thursday, Jan 23, 2014 at 19:41
Cheers Bazooka, actually I just followed up out of interest. Generally ACMA has been a toothless tiger unless it affects spectrum revenue but I believe they have been cracking down over the last 18 months. Mainly on dealers though I guess. One day someone will innocently sell a CB in a vehicle and get a whopping fine to make an example I'll bet.

It is on their website but not very clearly, that's why I decided to follow up.
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Reply By: Hootsmon - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 08:57

Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 08:57
Spoke to GME and they can upgrade it to 80ch for 160 bucks inc shipping. It has to go to Sydney for a physical upgrade apparently.

Might just use it on 40ch till the police kick down my door or stop me at a road block and shoot me for breaking the law. Then buy an 80ch ICOM400
AnswerID: 524539

Follow Up By: Ross M - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 13:17

Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 13:17
At $160 for the upgrade a new one is a better option IMO.

If it gets to the Police and shootin' point ask, for the Bean Bag rounds as they are a little bit more forgiving than the harder ones. But you still learn the lesson.

That way you CAN go and buy a new unit.
Cheers
Ross M
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 09:10

Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 09:10
When did you get it Hootsmon? I woudl take it back to the dealer you got it from. If it was after about November 2012 they sold you an illegal radio from what I can see. Call ACMA.
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Follow Up By: River Swaggie - Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 16:57

Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 16:57
160 smackeroos, bugger that, put it towards a new one, my Icom 41s recently cost $45 to upgrade.
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Follow Up By: Hootsmon - Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 17:28

Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 17:28
Got it from eBay. Cheap cheap. With an aerial mounting bracket etc. fired it up out the back door with the aerial on the fence. Works a treat.
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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 09:03

Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 09:03
From the GME website:



"All models with serial number prefix’s 011 (November 2010) or earlier as well as TX4400 and TX4600
models with serial number prefix’s 101 (January 2011) or earlier are unfortunately not able to be
upgraded to 80 channel narrow band operation. From serial number 106xxxxxx onwards, all the
above models will be factory enabled for 80 channel operation.

Compatible GME radios can be either User upgraded or Dealer upgraded depending on the model.
Please refer to the table above."

Cheers

John
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Reply By: prado 01 - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 13:02

Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 13:02
I see mine is in the not upgradeable list. Will just have to keep using the 40 until one day someone wont answer which I suspect will be many years.
Cheers
AnswerID: 524552

Follow Up By: Member - bbuzz (NSW) - Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 09:43

Thursday, Jan 16, 2014 at 09:43
You can talk to everyone on the first 40 channels. Its only the next 40 that won't connect.

I tried my 80 talking to a mates 40 and it worked perfectly.

Depending on what you are using it for the old 40 channel will be quite satisfactory.

bill
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