I am planning an extended tour commencing in the next couple of months and am slowly working through the things I need to do prior to departure. As my ideas of servicing the fridge and installing a load slide and hard cover have all hit the fence with an almighty bang I am now turning my mind to a radio.
I don't want to look like Houston Control on wheels with aerials and everything else attached to the tug. I just want something that I can use to communicate with trucks or motorists to let them know that I am alive and aware that they are there and that I am endeavouring to find a safe place to move over and let them through.
I know nothing about radios or frequencies, zilch, totally ignorant. The question is; What do I get that serves this purpose, that doesn't need to be installed, that is able to used by a total novice and that won't lead to Pine Gap having me arrested.
Is there something that is simple, plugs in to cigarette lighter, has a mobile aerial if required and actually works? How many channels do I need and are their specific channels that I would use. One last question, what is the range. Is it just metres behind me or can someone miles back pick up the signal and think I am talking to them.
You could use a handheld instead but I'd not recommend it and it wouldn't be much cheaper.
The external antenna pretty much guarantees you'll be able to chat with anyone within 1km and, with luck, up to 5km or 10km.
Truck drivers, and almost everyone else, use UHF CB channel 40 for comms.
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:44 AM Apr 16, 2022
You could use a hand held, to give more flexibility of use, but adding an external antennae will improve its performance significantly.
The antennae only needs to be a small rubber 1dB gain, but mount it as high on the roof as possible otherwise there will be "shadows" created.
I would personally only buy a 5W unit. Second hand may give better value than a new lower powered unit.
Cheers,
Peter
Are We Lost said
01:22 PM Apr 16, 2022
My GME radio came in a bundle with a magnetic roof mount antenna similar to the link posted by Mike. It works fine for the purpose you intend, and in fact better than an antenna with more range if you only want to reach those close to you. I have not tested it for vehicles out of sight.
I rarely use mine, but can just reach out and pop the antenna on the roof whenever I want to use it. I remove it before parking in towns so as not to be a theft target.
Channel 40 is the main truckies channel. Channel 29 for M1 travelling, and 18 for caravans (mostly groups chattering about rubbish). There are others for specific purposes. Get a radio that monitors more than 1 channel at a time. I will leave it to those more widely experienced to give better detail.
Dicko1 said
03:19 PM Apr 16, 2022
I,ve had quite a few various radios. The one thing I learnt is dont buy cheap. I now use ICOM as they are a top quality product and are at a commercial quality. Handheld 5 watt would do the trick for you.
Aus-Kiwi said
06:06 PM Apr 17, 2022
We have cheap - sh hand held for parking or when walking out bush . Bigger built in Uniden
Unit inside !n
86GTS said
07:14 PM Apr 17, 2022
We have a good quality radio fitted to our tug.
After getting over the novelty of listening to it, which only took a short while, we now rarely turn it on.
On a recent trip we turned it on to scan & it locked onto two blokes talking about women's bums being exposed on beaches.
Riveting stuff.
DMaxer said
07:41 AM Apr 18, 2022
Thanks for the replies. I now have an idea of what to look for.
Buzz Lightbulb said
11:00 AM Apr 18, 2022
We have a 5w hand held, two way radio. It was very handy for overtaking trucks and notifying people of our location on narrow, windy roads. The radio replies were appreciative.
DMaxer said
11:53 AM Apr 18, 2022
Thanks Buzz. I think I will have a look at those and also Mikes suggestion. I think the trick is dont buy junk.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:58 AM Apr 18, 2022
You can change Chanel
If they are talking rubbish ! Mind you its the same ! Shift from
Main Chanel if your in convoy etc to another Chanel . Dont stay on ch40 or whatever is used local? Although I find info can info
Can be a safe thing as in wide loads,road conditions, parking etc . Yes around big towns you get what sounds like drunk
rubbish ! Sometimes humourus ? I find knowing or listen
To traffic controller calls knowing their name . Then thanking them
by name ! The look on their faces ! Lol The larican !
Clarky 1 said
05:01 PM Apr 18, 2022
Hi DMaxer
Here is some info that may be beneficial for you if venturing further as yo intend,
The UHF network can be helpful if you understand how it works.
My choice would be for a vehicle mount radio if going UHF mainly because it will always be there when you need it as opposed to in the glove box or a seat pocket or on the floor etc.
I should add although it is Qld based a lot of the UHF info will apply Aus wide.
The list of channel useage will be useful.
-- Edited by Clarky 1 on Monday 18th of April 2022 05:03:20 PM
StewG said
05:49 PM Apr 18, 2022
"86-GTS - We have a good quality radio fitted to our tug.
After getting over the novelty of listening to it, which only took a short while, we now rarely turn it on."
Yes. That is my experience. Ch 40 and 18 can be useful for road information if you get past the yobbos with limited vocabulary.
We fitted an iCom on the dashboard with external antenna on the roof of the tug and carry a hand-held for portability and safety. It could be used for reversing, but the microphone on the rear-view camera fills that need.
Rob Driver said
08:44 AM Apr 19, 2022
Hi DMaxer,
If I were to venture out again into our wilderness I would consider a Sat Phone, a UHF radio and a Emergency beacon.
This equipment would be commensurate with where you might be intending to travel.
When using the UHF become familiar with your location and what Duplex channels you might use to contact others. Also be aware of the emergency channels.
Many, if not almost all property owners have and use UHF on their properties. They usually have a radio set in the house /shed / office as well as sets in their vehicles and farm tractors.
They generally maintain an unofficial contact network with other neighbours although they will all be on different channels.
A good UHFradio set will provide a scanning function which when activated will allow you to hear a lot more than what you will get on on Ch 18 Ch 29 or Ch 40
If in trouble on the road I would still rely on Ch 40 or Ch 29.
Forget Ch 18 unless for some reason you have formed contact with others participating on that channel.
Travel safely and enjoy.
Buzz Lightbulb said
09:49 AM Apr 19, 2022
DMaxer wrote:
Thanks Buzz. I think I will have a look at those and also Mikes suggestion. I think the trick is dont buy junk.
I think ours was $75 from Anaconda but I'm not sure about that. It has 80 UHF Channels with two listening channels (if that's what they are called. One can listen to two channels at once). One set on the trucking channel and one on the caravan channel.
There wasn't that much chatter throughout Queensland when we were there last year in winter. Lucky I guess.
I am planning an extended tour commencing in the next couple of months and am slowly working through the things I need to do prior to departure. As my ideas of servicing the fridge and installing a load slide and hard cover have all hit the fence with an almighty bang I am now turning my mind to a radio.
I don't want to look like Houston Control on wheels with aerials and everything else attached to the tug. I just want something that I can use to communicate with trucks or motorists to let them know that I am alive and aware that they are there and that I am endeavouring to find a safe place to move over and let them through.
I know nothing about radios or frequencies, zilch, totally ignorant. The question is; What do I get that serves this purpose, that doesn't need to be installed, that is able to used by a total novice and that won't lead to Pine Gap having me arrested.
Is there something that is simple, plugs in to cigarette lighter, has a mobile aerial if required and actually works? How many channels do I need and are their specific channels that I would use. One last question, what is the range. Is it just metres behind me or can someone miles back pick up the signal and think I am talking to them.
Consider one of these:
Supercheap UHF CB
Put a cigar plug on it and place the radio on the passenger seat or nearby.
With it use one of these:
Autobarn GME
You could use a handheld instead but I'd not recommend it and it wouldn't be much cheaper.
The external antenna pretty much guarantees you'll be able to chat with anyone within 1km and, with luck, up to 5km or 10km.
Truck drivers, and almost everyone else, use UHF CB channel 40 for comms.
The antennae only needs to be a small rubber 1dB gain, but mount it as high on the roof as possible otherwise there will be "shadows" created.
I would personally only buy a 5W unit. Second hand may give better value than a new lower powered unit.
Cheers,
Peter
I rarely use mine, but can just reach out and pop the antenna on the roof whenever I want to use it. I remove it before parking in towns so as not to be a theft target.
Channel 40 is the main truckies channel. Channel 29 for M1 travelling, and 18 for caravans (mostly groups chattering about rubbish). There are others for specific purposes. Get a radio that monitors more than 1 channel at a time. I will leave it to those more widely experienced to give better detail.
Unit inside !n
After getting over the novelty of listening to it, which only took a short while, we now rarely turn it on.
On a recent trip we turned it on to scan & it locked onto two blokes talking about women's bums being exposed on beaches.
Riveting stuff.
Thanks for the replies. I now have an idea of what to look for.
We have a 5w hand held, two way radio. It was very handy for overtaking trucks and notifying people of our location on narrow, windy roads. The radio replies were appreciative.
If they are talking rubbish ! Mind you its the same ! Shift from
Main Chanel if your in convoy etc to another Chanel . Dont stay on ch40 or whatever is used local? Although I find info can info
Can be a safe thing as in wide loads,road conditions, parking etc . Yes around big towns you get what sounds like drunk
rubbish ! Sometimes humourus ? I find knowing or listen
To traffic controller calls knowing their name . Then thanking them
by name ! The look on their faces ! Lol The larican !
Hi DMaxer
Here is some info that may be beneficial for you if venturing further as yo intend,
The UHF network can be helpful if you understand how it works.
My choice would be for a vehicle mount radio if going UHF mainly because it will always be there when you need it as opposed to in the glove box or a seat pocket or on the floor etc.
Anyway travel safely
https://www.outbackqueensland.com.au/outback-communication/
I should add although it is Qld based a lot of the UHF info will apply Aus wide.
The list of channel useage will be useful.
-- Edited by Clarky 1 on Monday 18th of April 2022 05:03:20 PM
After getting over the novelty of listening to it, which only took a short while, we now rarely turn it on."
Yes. That is my experience. Ch 40 and 18 can be useful for road information if you get past the yobbos with limited vocabulary.
We fitted an iCom on the dashboard with external antenna on the roof of the tug and carry a hand-held for portability and safety. It could be used for reversing, but the microphone on the rear-view camera fills that need.
If I were to venture out again into our wilderness I would consider a Sat Phone, a UHF radio and a Emergency beacon.
This equipment would be commensurate with where you might be intending to travel.
When using the UHF become familiar with your location and what Duplex channels you might use to contact others. Also be aware of the emergency channels.
Many, if not almost all property owners have and use UHF on their properties. They usually have a radio set in the house /shed / office as well as sets in their vehicles and farm tractors.
They generally maintain an unofficial contact network with other neighbours although they will all be on different channels.
A good UHFradio set will provide a scanning function which when activated will allow you to hear a lot more than what you will get on on Ch 18 Ch 29 or Ch 40
If in trouble on the road I would still rely on Ch 40 or Ch 29.
Forget Ch 18 unless for some reason you have formed contact with others participating on that channel.
Travel safely and enjoy.
I think ours was $75 from Anaconda but I'm not sure about that. It has 80 UHF Channels with two listening channels (if that's what they are called. One can listen to two channels at once). One set on the trucking channel and one on the caravan channel.
There wasn't that much chatter throughout Queensland when we were there last year in winter. Lucky I guess.