CB Radio

Submitted: Thursday, Oct 12, 2006 at 20:35

ThreadID: 38464 Views:2573 Replies:3 FollowUps:8

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Maddmav

Hi to all communicators

I installed CB radios into my two sons trucks and my own, absolute peace when talking between each other.

I have a UHF also and trying to get a word in on most channels without smart a***e abuse and a few (quite a few) expletives is not easy today.

I always travel on UHF channel 15 and a woman on the weekend told me to get off as this channel is for the folk in her district. News to me that ch 15 was a private airwave - and no I didn't abuse her I wont drop to that level.

CB is old tech but not many (if any) use it today and for that reason it is just good to be able to get in touch with our blokes and on trips talk without interfearance or garbage mouths running over the top of us.

Distance isn't too bad I can talk from Toronto (Lake Macquarie) and get onto the fellas in Newcastle beach about 15K as the crow flies. Saves a bit on mobile phone costs too and for those with teenagers you know what I mean.

Vinnie

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Reply By: Gerhardp1 - Thursday, Oct 12, 2006 at 21:31

Thursday, Oct 12, 2006 at 21:31

Nothing like going backwards to move forward :)

AnswerID: 198924

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 10:07

Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 10:07

Hi Vinnie,

Actually, UHF is also "CB". It replaced the old analogue CB radios many years ago, but as you have found out you will get virtually no interference from other users as not many use the analogue sets anymore.

And channel 15 is not a private channel so it cannot be claimed as such.

Some channels are "reserved" for specific use. For example, channels 1 to 8 (and 31 to 38) are repeater channels. You transmit on one and receive on the other. (eg 1 & 31, 2 & 32 etc) The repeater channels are "allocated" to different areas throughout Australia and are normally monitored by someone in each area.

Channel 5/35 is reserved as an emergency channel and anyone using it for other purposes will by told to use another channel.

Channel 10 is used by 4WD'ers as a "common" channel.
Channel 18 is used by Caravanners as a "common" channel.
Channel 40 is used by Truckies as a "common" channel.
But none of these are "set in concrete". No one will be fined for using them for other uses, but be prepared to cop a mouthful of abuse if you do.

Generally, away from built-up areas, you can select any unused channel to communicate between members of your specific "convoy", be it two, or twenty two vehicles. Just remember that you are on an open channel that can be heard by anyone within range.

Over all matey, you have got a really good solution in using the older analogue radios. Very few people are likely to interrupt your transmissions...

Bill

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AnswerID: 198981

Follow Up By: Maddmav - Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 10:19

Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 10:19

Thanks for the info Sand Man

Specially about the channels on repeater - this is useful info

Have a good one
Vinnie

FollowupID: 457757

Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 19:02

Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 19:02

SM, has been said before on EO too that Channel 22 and 23 is a remote telemetry communications channel, frequently used to switch on and off water pumps. You may find a lot of interference near civilzation on those channels. Just like noise you don't want to hear.

FollowupID: 457814

Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 20:31

Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 20:31

Vinnie,

Something else for your reference.

Many maps supplied by the Motoring Organisations, Government bodies, etc. have the relevant Repeater channels for specific areas marked on them.

So when travelling through an area you may be able to reference the repeater channel to use if necessary from the map.

I'm pretty sure the Desert Park Maps have this reference and I obtained an RAA map for the area encompassing Woomera, Coober Pedy and the Painted Desert, Oodnadatta and down through Roxby Downs which actually had shaded areas bordered by an outline identifying the coverage of each channel. Quite handy at times.

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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FollowupID: 457836

Follow Up By: Maddmav - Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 23:11

Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 23:11

Thanks Sand Man

I have been on the net looking up some info on how this all works - repeaters - channel etc.

I suppose in all I have just taken for granted ** you turn on the UHF select a channel and talk ** now a closer insight into it is eye opening to say the least

Thanks for the leads that have got me learning

Vinnie

FollowupID: 457887

Reply By: revhead307 - Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 11:39

Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 11:39

Up until 2 years ago I had a AM CB in the Trol. Still worked perfectly and was good for convoy travel. None of my mates have AM anymore, so I've gone UHF as well.

I agree there is way too much crap on the UHF airwaves wholeheartedly. The closer you get to the cities the more filth there is.

By and large truckies although using colourful language (dont we all) are decent to deal with and give as much respect as you give them. Its the old alcoholics that sit at home that are the ones to watch.

Regards

Jeff

AnswerID: 198988

Follow Up By: Maddmav - Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 14:31

Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 14:31

Yep - That I have noticed -

Heading thru Sydney, I turned the UHF off because of the utter blurb.

Now with the AM it is good for close convoy.

FollowupID: 457789

Follow Up By: Scoey (QLD) - Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 14:35

Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 14:35

Yeah I installed a UHF in the truck as all my mates had them and they're priceless when out 4X4ing. My mates all tell me that when they see me around town they can say G'day too, but I've found that when the other half is in the truck I can't have it on - way too much filth! So now it gets used when 4X4ing and then it's off the rest of the time! Prob should've just got a handheld!

Cheers
Scoey!

FollowupID: 457790

Follow Up By: revhead307 - Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 17:03

Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at 17:03

I work Security so have a nice quality handheld for work (with accoustic eirpeice etc etc)

But when its the weekend, its in a mates 4by so we can have convoy chatter :-)

I used to keep my UHF on the in the car, but it gets annoying so 95% of the time its off.

Jeff

FollowupID: 457799