Hi All
This was sent to us recently and I thought that I would pass on this information, as many like me may not be aware of the new details relating to UHF Radios.
**Overview**
The use of a UHF CB transceiver is governed by a class licence as prescribed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Currently, all UHF CB radios operate within an allocated frequency band that is divided into 40 channels, with each channel spaced 25 kHz apart. These radios are commonly known as 'wide band' radios.
Due to advances in technology it has now become economically viable to design and build radios that operate in a narrower bandwidth and hence use less spectrum. These radios are known as 'narrow band' radios and operate with a channel spacing of just 12.5 kHz. By using 12.5 kHz channel spacing instead of 25 kHz, the 40 channel allocation can be expanded to 80 channels. doubling the channel capacity and relieving congestion in the UHF CB band.
The ACMA has recently released a proposal to allow the use of narrow band equipment in the UHF CB band. To minimise interference to current wide band repeater and telemetry
services, the proposal recommends that narrow band radios be introduced in two stages over a 5 year period.
Stage one proposes that from January 2011, narrow band radios will be allowed to operate using 60 of the 80 channels in the newly revised UHF CB band. However, narrow band transmissions will not be allowed on current repeater channels 1 - 8, 31 - 38 and Telemetry channels 22 and 23. This will minimise interference to these wide band
services during the transition to narrow band technology.
Stage two will take effect after January 2016 when all 80 channels will become available for narrow band transmissions.
What this means to the user;
* Current 40 channel wide band radios will continue to work on the original channel frequencies and will operate effectively past 2016.
* Current 40 channel UHF CB Radios will not become obsolete and will continue to operate on the original 40 channels, however they will not be able to converse on the newer channels 41 - 80.
For those that are thinking to update, you may want to put it off and see what is available early next year.
Cheers
Stephen