Communication with towing caravan

Hi Gamefish
I find the easiest way on the highway is to have the radio on scan, in some radios you can set it to scan just a few frequencies or the whole 40 that way I hear what is on the air waves around about. Generally 40 for trucks, or on the Newell often channel 29 Many caravans and motorhomes are on 18. Of you have 18 on the back of the van if they want to call you they will call on 18, if you are listening or scanning you will hear the call
Regards Ray

gamefish, if you use the 'general highway channel' you describe - UHF channel 40, you will find mostly truckies and the language can some times be best described as colourful. UHF channel 18 is the caravanners channel as much as 40 the truckies. They sometimes crossover to make sure the other is aware the former is 'coming around'. Overtaking in other words, perhaps for conversation.

I think there is a caravanners and motorhomes forum gamefish, one at www.cmca.net.au You will find it is friendly enough that you would need a password to get any info though! Good luck, it looked very friendly {:-(

Etiquette when towing a van would mean not being a mobile road block to the community you are driving through and advising others you are coming round to start the ball rolling. That being the case if you have a big van you have a tow vehicle strong enough to keep up the pace of traffic.

Gamefish
I try to keep a good eye on the rear mirrors to see if a truck is coming up behind and often will switch to channel 40 and acknowledge that I have seen them and that either I will pull over to let them through or tell them that I will slow down as they start to go past to lessen the time they are on the wrong side of the road. I have found them to be very grateful and helpful
Ray

http://groups.msn.com/Caravanersforum/general.msnw

go here mate,,,a plethora of knowledge is at hand,,,

rick.

A lot of "groups" have their preferred channels, but I find that you can access a whole lot more info (some very worthwhile) by scanning.... you can capture all users within range. Because it takes a short time to scan all 40 channels (maybe more on some models) it is possible to miss somebody who is transmitting very briefly, but most people take a couple of seconds so you should grab them. If you are about to buy the radio, consider a little extra and get the latest up market .... $390 should get something like a GME 4400 - good display, selcall, extra (rec. only) channels and group programming etc. Other makes would have similar features.

Thanks guys, seems like UHF 18 is the go. I will display both 18 and 40 on the rear of the van, and yep, will set the group scan function on my GME4400 to scan both 18 and 40.

Thanks for the clarification, and hope to see you on the tracks somewhere.
gamefish