UHF Radio - how much value are they when travelling?

Loki · Senior Member

UHF Radio - how much value are they when travelling?

ozi2 · Guru

Loki wrote:
I am getting my campervan ready for travelling around Australia and wonder if a UHF radio would be useful? I have heard that they aren't much use anymore as most people have mobile phones (which I will also be carrying).
Also, if a UHF radio is useful, what features should I look for in buying one?
Are there other methods of communication I should consider?
I have experience in coastal sailing and consider the VHF radio a must at sea, but have no campervan experience. I plan on an extensive tour around Australia over the next few years.
I look forward to replies,
Cheers,
Anton

G'day Anton, the choice of a uhf I believe is one that has many advantages if you plan travelling around our great country. You wont always have mobile ph reception ( that is guaranteed) but you will always be able to find help somewhere with a uhf radio. Unless you have the mobile ph number of the truckie about to push you off the road and reception to boot then you have a problem! Uhf has its issues but you just turn it off or change the channel, but they can be very handy devices for checking out all sorts of conditions encountered on the road, police, hazards, heaps of things.

They are'nt really expensive and there is a wide choice of built in or handsfree.Mate, you will get a lot of advice on this forum that will allow you to make a choice that suits your needs.

cheers,

ozi2

Ma · Guru

Our UHF has saved us twice since we started our travels. Both times with wide loads.

If we hadn't had it we would have had nowhere to pull over and consequently would have had to reverse at least two or more kilometers.

We always run on chanel 40 (which is mostly a truck chanel) and you get some advance warning of any situations ahead which sometimes can then let you take another route.

As mentioned before there is a lot of "rubbish" on this chanel, particularly in the suburban areas so either turn a deaf ear or turn it off.

We also have a couple of hand held ones and find this very handy for reversing into sites in van parks. Just go down a couple of chanels so you aren't running interference on the regular chanels.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Useful for short range vehicle to vehicle communication.
Do NOT rely on UHF for emergencies.
For reliable asistance in a life threatening emergency in remote areas get your self a PLB (EPIRB).

Cheers,
Peter

jimricho · Guru

I endorse Peter n Margaret's comments above, note the use of the phrase "life threatening" in reference to the EPIRB. The law takes a very dim view on it's use in any other situation. As a "boatie" you'd be familiar with this and most likely already own one, but I mention it for the benefit of others reading this thread.

Other options are satellite phone or HF radio but I don't see these as being necessary unless travelling alone into seriously remote locations. Keep in mind that mobile phone coverage is not available everywhere. It would not be possible to provide mobile reception in many remote areas and some people have unrealistic expectations of their mobiles.

jonathan · Guru

.. and I couldn't agree more with all that's been said before me ..

while my hobby is in radio, I am a firm believer in travelling to conditions. Road, weather and the condition of your own vehicle are most important .. but ones own well-being (maybe a little hungover ?) or distractions from within your own vehicle (which could be a noisy UHF) are high priority considerations.

.. If I can't see where the road is leading me at the speed I'm travelling or some heavy wheels might be moving up from behind, then I simply adjust accordingly .. as I still have the time to do it ..

Jon

(currently in Normanton, QLD)

Cruising Granny · Guru

It's a very valuable travel tool, even if you just listen to what's going on out there, and never talk.
As Ma mentioned, the advice that an oversized load is on it's way can be life saving. Anything wider than 3.5metres could jeopardise your safety, especially on Qld's dangerously narrow roads.
Listen to the operators as they are issuing advice to other heavy transport to give them a chance to get out of the way.
The biggest I've come across is 8.5 metres, which on a normal 2 way highway is white post to white post. It will give you time to plan to get off the road without doing any damage.
While the language can be "colourful" at times, channel 40 is more informative than offensive, most of the time.
You may also learn where the candy cars are, and "flash for cash" is so you can adjust your speed. It's a whole new vocabulary with an educational advantage you can only get in Australia.

PeterD · Guru

The UHF CB band is being converted from 40 channels to 80. Just make sure you get a set that is 80 channel ready (that is unless you can get a 40 channel one cheap enough to throw away in a few years.)

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

I've had HF for years now and would not be without it, I can talk from Perth to somebody in Victoria, and it has connections to the RFDS, depends on which state you are in it will relay through the VKS 737 network or go direct to RFDS, very handy.