UHF 40 versus 80 Channel

Guys before I shell out $200+ and install costs, can anyone tell me if I really need an 80 Channel UHF radio set or will my fully functional GME 40 Channel set suffice for a trip around Oz.... when I looked it seemed that the 40 channels in excess of the 40 are of little or no use anyway.... can someone shed some light on if there is a compelling need to upgrade or if the 40 channel will suffice


Mike
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Reply By: Member - Steve Fourbyfour - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 10:56

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 10:56
G'day WMS

There's a very good article under "Communications" in the Articles tab above - should explain all.

Cheers
AnswerID: 527816

Reply By: desray (WA - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 11:36

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 11:36
No, complete waste on money. I bought a 80 channel hand held, its had little to no use , the 40 channel works MUCH better
AnswerID: 527820

Follow Up By: Member Bushy 04(VIC) - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 12:21

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 12:21
If you get a mounted uhf it will out preform most hand helds anyway.
You get what you pay for.
My GME 80 channel does not seem to have the range that my 40 had which tics me of a bit but it does pick up very clearly.

Bushy
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Reply By: Idler Chris - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 13:30

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 13:30
80 channel radios are far better as they have much newer technology. However if you have a fully functional 40 channel radio it should more than suffice for your trip. It is similar to being nice to travel around Oz in a 200 series but a 60 series will still do the same job abiet, just not as comfortable or as fast.
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 13:38

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 13:38
I agree - if you have a 40channel already stay with it - if you have to buy a radio get a 80 channel.
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Follow Up By: MactrolPod - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 20:40

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 20:40
Must have the wrong end of the pineapple,
The 40 channels will still exist, just the next 40 are between the existing channels 1&1/2, 2&1/2 etc.
Maybe interference is the biggest foreseeable issue, then we will have to go far an 80 channel.
If 2 40's are talking to each other or using the 1st 40 channels it shouldn't be a problem should it?
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Reply By: Member - DingoBlue(WA) - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 14:24

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 14:24
40 Channel will be fine for your purposes. I found one drawback with the 80 channel if you are travelling with others who have 40 channel, and that is that the volume of your transmission is reduced, (not sure why) making it difficult for others to hear you.
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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 16:37

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 16:37
Mike,

Australia is currently changing from 40 to 80 channel UHF CB. The new 80 channels are being squeezed into the old 40 channel bandwidth, so as already said some of the audio levels and quality aren't too good - BUT - right now I reckon we are all sticking with our old 40 channel radios. Before long (not sure when, try googling ACMA for details) we will be required to change to 80 channel, but right now both 40 and 80 are OK. If anyone is installing a new one, it should be an 80 channel, but why spend money until we have to?

Cheers

John
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 22:44

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 22:44
The word from Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)

"The ACMA intends to review the usage of CB radios (40 and 80 channel) around 2016. Depending on the results of that review the authorisation for use of 40 channel radios could be retained or revoked. If there’s still a significant percentage of 40 channel units in operation then I expect their use will continue to be authorized, but I reiterate that no decision has been made."

Motherhen
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Saturday, Mar 08, 2014 at 13:55

Saturday, Mar 08, 2014 at 13:55
Thank you for clarifying MH. At the outset there was no evidence of such a plan to go more softly. I wondered at the time why some of the 40 channel frequencies weren't reserved for continued use as wideband. Changing them all to narrowband did double the number of channels using the same total bandwidth, but in the bush, who needs all those channels? Looks like we might finish up continuing to use our present radios after all! There's been no major change in the technology or any improvement in performance to justify changing radios. If it's not broke, why fix it?

Cheers

John
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Reply By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 16:47

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 16:47
In a nutshell, yes it will do the round Oz trip.

I have no intention of upgrading until I have to. Ours works well and I can not see any compelling need to upgrade to 80 channel.

Phil
AnswerID: 527848

Reply By: WMS - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 19:19

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 19:19
Great feedback all.... thanks for confirming my intuitive thoughts.... i will be using my TX 4400 GME..... which has saved me bucks....
AnswerID: 527860

Reply By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 22:59

Friday, Mar 07, 2014 at 22:59
Are 40 channel sets still available to buy or if you need a new one do you automatically get an 80 Channel?
AnswerID: 527880

Follow Up By: pepper2 - Saturday, Mar 08, 2014 at 08:35

Saturday, Mar 08, 2014 at 08:35
not legal now for retailer to sell new 40 channel units.
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Reply By: Nutta - Saturday, Mar 08, 2014 at 22:55

Saturday, Mar 08, 2014 at 22:55
I was tempted to buy an 80 channel at aldi the other day for $99, real tempting but still couldn't justify getting rid of my 40 channel.
AnswerID: 527934

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