UHF

They can come in handy, but only for 'local' communications (your travelling companions, other cars, trucks, maybe stations). UHF range is not very far depending on terrain, weather, etc.

It is only reliable for 5km. So it's for short range comms only

G'day Sarah, By no means essential, & not to be relied on for emergency situations, but may be useful to chat to fellow travellers, truckies etc. Be aware
that you may be exposed to plenty of bad language, particularly in the more
populated areas.Very good if travelling in tandem with other vehicles, & just as
boring if you arent part of a group. Dont buy in preference to the stuff you really need, but if set up properly...why not ? cheers...oldbaz.

Frankly, I would say close to essential in some parts.

Useful in calling around and passing Road trains on dusty roads, certain tracks have a 'mandatory' requirement for a specific channel so oncoming vehicles can communicate, and always useful coming into unfamiliar towns - have got plenty of help from friendly locals for accommodation and mechanical services (and where's a good feed !)

I found my 19 year old Uniden invaluable of several occasions.

When coming up behind road trains on dirt or single lane bitumen, a polite call to the driver that I was behind and would like to pass when convenient to them, always resulted in a polite response and advice as to when to pass. On the Tanami a tanker driver stopped so that I could pass.

Now that is what I call useful.

RegardsPPhilip A

Will a normal next G phone suffice?

Totally agree, went to moreton island, My Sister and her Hubby, he rides biarch most of the time, was leader of our 2 car parade, called back to me when they ran into a road block. usually i was 50 metres back.

Will be putting in one in the old girl when i get the funds!!!!! i have a 6dB antenna thats awaiting to go in.

Yes, a UHF transceiver is invaluable for outback driving. It gives you the ability to communicate with other travellers and receive information on local road conditions as you pass through different areas.

A 5 watt UHF radio should give coverage of around 20 kilometres or so and even more when using the repeater channels for specific purposes.

For an investment of around $350-$450 dollars, whether you choose a built-in 5 watt unit, or a 5 watt hand held unit with connection to an external antenna, you will be comfortable with this means of communication.

A UHF radio is also good for communicating with large trucks when wishing to either pass them, or have them pass you.


Bill.

If you are in range of a repeater station then your 5-20km flat terrain range can extend to 100km this is why all the outback people use them. When I travelled some remote areas a few years ago I had UHF and an AM radio with upper and lower side band an EPIRB and a sat phone.
Never used any of them for anything of urgency but its better to have em and not need em than not to have em while your frying in a desert.

Get the UHF they are standard equip. these days. Go here for some reading.

http://www.exploroz.com/Vehicle/Accessories/UHFRadio.aspx

Hi Sarah

YES

On some roads my husband has said "UHF should be compulsory here" (a good hand held will suffice). Essential for passing and allowing others to pass you, to announce and hear announcements from oncoming traffic on narrow roads at bridges and crests, and worthwhile to be aware of hazards up ahead. Stay in the highway channel 40 (unless other channel specified for that area), unless chit-chatting in which case move to another channel.

Motherhen

Most of the logging roads have the channels posted on signs so you can let log truck drivers know you are about, nothing worse than coming round a blind corner on a dirt road and finding 40 ton of timber and steel coming at you