I'm Brett and have recently decided to head off and explore Oz and all its wonders. Im travelling alone and looking forward to meeting many of you out there.
I pick up my motorhome this Friday the 9th and very excited about getting it all kitted out. Its a 2007 Jayco Conquest 23'
It has a UHF radio in it and I was wondering is there a specific channel that you all use?
Hi and welcome Shogun. I hope you enjoy your stay with the Nomads, and I wish you safe and happy travels. Most of us use UHF Channel 40 for call channel and then to Ch 14 or 18 or other to chat. I have a van and I believe motorhomers and vanners chat on different channels. I don't understand why, but that's the way it is out there in the wide open spaces. I find 40 the most useful informative channel to pick up on road works ahead, oversize loads you will need to make room for, and other snippets. You don't always have to talk, but just listening to the radio it's a very valuable tool. I only have a "rubber ducky" aerial, but it gives me up to 8km range, which is enough. It varies depending on the terrain. All the best to you mate. See you out on the road some time.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
another vanner here and I also find channel 40 the best exspecial for talking to the road trains to let them know you are aware they are there. Haave tried to talk to other vanners on 18 but never had a reply. elcome to the forum cheers blaze
You'll find a mixure of travellers here .. but all here for the same basic reason. My UHF stays on 40 and only bother to change if requested. I dont differentiate between what people travel in .. its the people that are important.
Much of the time though, the UHF is not switched on .. while UHF is the choice of the majority of truckers, many do not have them switched on and others dont even have one. You'll find these are mainly the short distance haulers that probably expect to be home each night .. For this reason, I mainly communicate by my actions and indicators when approached from behind .. point to remember here is, dont expect anyone other than a trucker to understand the message your sending ..
I am sure I read on another forum years ago that it was due to confusion where other major Highways comes close (CB range) to these highways in northern NSW and beyond.
Thanks Ron & Shirley. Yes, I'll have a chat to Mick. I thought it would be good to be in ear shot of all that's going on on the highways, but if that's the way they do it I'll have to bear it in mind when I'm on the job in that area. Anyone know of any oversize pilot work going? It's dried up over here, but I'm working on it.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.