80 Channel UHF Question

Hey Phil, the public are different to us VK's. They do as they want.
Cheers P&J

Tell me about it!!

Phil

Oh Christ


I am sorry that we the public are different to you VK's people. We are not all amateur radio enthusiasts.

The OP asked if it was possible to add channels to a Icom to bring it in line with the new 80 channel systems.

The general public is not supposed to. What tripe There is nothing to stop the general public configuring a radio to whatever they want ,as long as it is within the legal requirements.

The software is available either on line for free or the manufacture will supply it for a cost.

As long as the radio operates within the legal limits whats the problem.

Me thinks you hate the thought that people apart from the amateur radio group can run radios with more than 25 watts on a public band

If that is the case you would hate my 45 watt Icom F2821 using 477 meg frequencies

Teza

What I did...errr I mean what a friend of mine did was buy a patch harness and download the program off the internet.

OK...mine...I mean my mate's radio is a GME but he wanted 1-40 at 5 watts then all the repeater channels and channel 40 (plus a few select others) at 25 watts.

Took all of 5 minutes to reprogram.....he said.

Fab.

Teza

This previous post does not help your stance does it.

Regarding you own comments it is possible to do a lot of things to digitally control based equipment. But whether you are allowed to by law or warranty is another matter. My first comment was a blanket one to try and get the inexperienced person to take it to a qualified and approved shop/person and get it done. My next comment was a throw away line as a joke. In bad taste - Yes!

You are correct in so far as a user can tune a radio to a frequency that it is both workshop accredited to operate on one and also ACMA type approved to operate on. However the tools must be standard user based tools. Anything that is controlled by the accreditation or manufacturer as non-user, ie workshop/maintenance only type tools must not be used. As well, a radio that is type approved to operate on 40 channels is not necessarily type approved to operate on 80 channels.

The Icom 400 specifications state:
• Frequency coverage
CB : 476.425–477.400 MHz
Private : 450.000–500.000 MHz (RX only)
• Mode
CB : 16K0F3E
Private : 16K0F3E (Wide)/8K50F3E (Narrow)
• Number of channels
CB : 40 channels/1 bank
Private : 88 channels/7 banks

The above is copied from the latest copy of it's specifications that I can find. I would question if this specific radio is type approved by ACMA to operate as an 80 channel UHF CB. We have to be careful as each one has to be treated on its own merits. With this in mind, yes, my comment was inaccurate.

Just because a radio can operate on 80 channels does not mean any Joe Blow can modify it. You must be careful that the manufacturer has had it type approved by ACMA as an 80 channel CB. They or the manufacturer may also have restrictions depicted in the supporting documentation for such an approval as to who is permitted to change to 80 channels.

I also feel that you have the idea that I believe that CB is below me as a ham. That is way, way off mark. Personally I have a healthy respect for CB. If it wasn't for CB I would never have tried for my ham licence. I thank CB for the excellent companionship and safety that both HF and UHF CB has given me.

I suggest that you have a look at the way you consider amateur radio.

Maybe a more civil approach would have been beneficial instead of a direct challenge to me.

Phil

Phil

You quote this from the specs - "Private : 16K0F3E (Wide)/8K50F3E (Narrow) "

You should be able to tell us what that means. Have a go.

Sorry mate but I am sick and tired of the childish arguments that we have about radio. I couldn't be bothered. You know what it means as you claim that you are a retired tech. You are just trying to be smart. And it will not help one bit about this threads topic.

I have just had a great weekend with our club up in the vic alps and the last thing I want to do is argue.

ZGN

Phil

Oh dear

What miss informed information.

The Icom 400 pro has no trouble in operating on the newer channels.

The easy way to do it is grab a programming lead and software, easily obtained from the net and add the top forty channels to the second bank.
Choose the 5 watt power selection to keep it legal.

As the cb bank cannot be altered it will remain as loaded with channels 1-40

There are other ways to configure the radio but this is the easy way if you use the scan functions.

If you cannot do this yourself any reputable dealer will do this for you.

The Icom 400 pro has 128 channel capacity. 40 have been loaded. As long as you only wish to have the other 40 gazetted channels at 5 watt max power loaded there is no problem.
As the radio is programmed via the microphone socket you it may require removal if done by a dealer , check with them first.

A very easy 5 minute job

Cheers Teza

My Icom 400 Pro can be done.
It's 5 years old

If you live near Melbourne
This Mob in Cranbourne do it for $45
Click here

Cheers
Bucky

E-Bay ...around $25-30 then you have it for life.
Software is free off the net.

That makes sense in both a 40 and an 80 channel scenario Baz. Was it planned? I doubt if thinking "outside" the box like that was in any or the meeting's agendas.

Phil