uhf radio question

Channel 40 is the truck channel, Channel 18 the caravan one. Turn it off when close to the cities as the foul language will astound you. Cheers, enjoy your trip. John

Channel 40 will keep you in contact with most road info, and to let trucks(Road Trains) pass you.

Hi,
I have an Oricom 050 and it has not missed a beat. It has as Scan feature which lets me monitor all channels. I can hear all traffic and then respond if necessary. Just a matter of looking to see what channel the traffic is coming in on, select that channel and go for it.

But, to talk to trucks to let them know, you know, they are there and what you are going to do (if anything) to let them through or to just talk to another caravan, use the channels mentioned elsewhere.

I have found that I do not use it much. Its an entertainment on some of those long driving stretches.

Cheers

Bill

If travelling in a group or just another vehicle & depending where I am, I have my hand held on the predesignated travelling channel with friends & main radio on scan to pick up all other "Traffic" I find this very helpful in the high country when touring the tracks & also in the desert or in particular sand dune country.

On this ExplorOz site is an article on UHF Communications (click here) which includes channel nominations and other info you may find useful.

When travelling with others we use channel 10 for between vehicle talk.

When in remote areas I usually have it on open scan which pickups up all channels. In more populated areas I either turn it off due to the mindless nonsense or have it on group scan which just monitors selected channels as per the guide mentioned above.

After the novelty has worn off you will find the off position is a good one unless you are in remote areas and should listen out for other traffic. Getting or giving info to trucks and other travellers can be useful but I think it is overdone and have seen some silly events when conversations get confused or malicious.

cheers

Hi Broome Dreamer

Stick on 40 on most highways, and what ever other channel is nominated (eg 29 on Bruce Highway) and signed for other roads if different. Some roads in mining or logging areas specify a different channel, so choose these to keep in touch with their trucks. If just chatting, go to another channel to save blocking the main highway channel. If caravanners are travelling in convoy, they generally chat to each other on 18. Keep the chart with you so you don't use a dedicated data channel: UHF 80 channel chart. I have found scanning a waste of time.



Motherhen

thanks everybody for their replys very helpful