Advice

BRAGGABB · Senior Member

Advice

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Hi and welcome Pam, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I think if you get yourself a "CB" ( UHF ) you will find it invaluable on the road, great to hear advance warnings from the truckies and pilots of large loads, also to let trucks behind you know you are aware they are there and will allow them to pass safely when you can.

Just make sure you get the new 80 channel model. I have a GME brand fitted to my tug and has had plenty of use over the last few months.

One thing though, turn it off when in big towns or city's due to the rubbish on them, unless you like swearing and hearing about body parts etc.

BRAGGABB · Senior Member

Thanks Doug, I will look into it. I did think about the Trucks.

mongrel · Guru

Hi Pam and welcome to the forum. I am sure you will get the answers to all the questions you may ask..Great people and reliable info .Take care ..

eureka · Senior Member

Hi Pam,

Had a GME Super compact remote mic 5 wat UHF CB radio installed by Jaycar at Salamander Bay not to long ago. After a short explanation of how to use it, I'm still not to sure of its full use. But I do know it'll come in handy at some stage on the road.

Happy travels

Helen

neilnruth · Guru

Welcome to the forum from us too Pam. Lots of helpful advice when you ask.

BRAGGABB · Senior Member

Thank you all for the Welcome. I am sure I will have hundred of question to ask before I head out into the play ground. blankstare

Poppy sore eye · Senior Member

Welcome to the forum pam, you will gain lots of info here, if these guys can put up with some of the dumb questions I ask i am sure they can help you.

I don't mean to hijack palms question but, a few grave said to make sure you get the 80 channel system, why, if the trucks used channel 40 and caravans use channel 20, why do I need the others? Am I missing something? Told you I ask dumb questions!!!!!

BRAGGABB · Senior Member

I think its a good question, I don't know why either, but I am sure there is a good reason.

jetj · Guru

Lots of the newer frequencies are repeaters.

http://www.uhfcb.com/80-Channel-UHF-Information.php

BRAGGABB · Senior Member

Thanks, make sense, will check the link out.

Big Gorilla · Guru

Hi Pam and welcome. You don't really need a CB in Tassie. They are also a menace in the big Cities as you are constantly listening to Truckies swearing and going on with a lot of bulls**t ! I use mine only on country roads where you pick up some useful information such as location of speed cameras, radar etc. Unless you like to chatter endlessly about nothing with others doing the same thing, or unless you intend doing a lot of country driving, I'd save my money. The other advantage is if you get into difficulties on the road, you can call for help. In this regard, if you are planning on travelling in remote areas, you should carry a Distress Beacon (EPIRB). This of course is my opinion. Others will have their own opinions for and against. You have to decide what is best for you. There are many good brands on the market. I have a GME.

BRAGGABB · Senior Member

Thanks Ken, I did not think I would need it so much around Tassie and not in the city but on the open road.

Can you have your radio and CB on at the same time or you have to turn it on when you need to use it.

yeoeleven · Guru

I have lived on the road for the last 2.5 years and have driven round Australia and 3 months in Tasmania and up to now have never used UHF but a month ago I was persuaded from forum members who had my best interests at heart to buy one. probably because I have a relatively slow vehicle and should make contact with those behind.

I do intend to use it but don't like the interruption to my thought processes, I travel on my own and never have the radio on so to be squawked at by the UHF is to me very annoying. It is there and intend to use it as Big Gorilla suggests, I suppose that I wished I had it when traveling the Newell with a procession of huge radiators filling my rear vision mirror.

Not necessary but in some cases very useful, you decide the balance. If $200 is hard to come by you can do without it, if $200 is easy go ahead and get one. Again my opinion. John

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Pam, I tell you something for free.

If you want to know ANYTHING about 'alternative' or 'free' camping, John is the best person to speak to, if he doesn't know about, it doesn't exist or can't be done and a great person to talk with as well.

I have my UHF on most of the time unless in the bigger towns and cities as said above as it doesn't annoy me that much, I like John don't have the car radio or music on much at all really when driving but you can have both on at the same time. I had it wired to the ignition so it can only be on when car is running, it ended that way as I asked for it to be wired to the ignition but meant accessories on and the auto elec did it the other way, one day I will change it.

SOMETIMES I even like to sit quietly in the car while having a break and listen to others chatting as there are some very sensible and knowledgable UHF operators out there as well, more than likely, like me where using CB radio when not legal, another discussion for another time maybe.

To sum up, YOUR call Pam but whatever you decide, enjoy and,

Nomadicman · Member

Yes, Janette, many of the new channels are repeaters. But what are repeaters. So I looked up the link you provided and I quote...Licenses for Repeater Channels 44 & 45 will not be licensed for an additional 6 to 12 months to allow extra time for owners of Channel 5 Emergency repeaters to upgrade equipment to meet the new standards

Channels 1 to 8 and 41 to 48 - Repeater Channels Press the DUPLEX button on your radio to used any available repeaters

Channel 5 & 35 - Emergency use only - Monitored by Volunteers, No general conversations are to take place on this channel

Channels 22 & 23 - Data transmissions only (Excluding Packet)

Channels 31 to 38 and 71 to 78 - Repeater inputs - Do not use these channels for simplex transmissions as you will interfere with conversations on channels 1 to 8 and 41 to 48

Now I also need to know is when should I use a duplex and not a simplex, I assume a data transmission is non voice, but how can I send a text msg..in a packet? In fact, if we read the whole list of channels and notes, there are many more instances of jargon. an someone explain or tell the rest of us newbies where it is explained (oh, without new jargon !)

(and sorry, font selection is not working)

spida · Guru

I used mine constantly for the first time driving Port Hedland via Newman to Perth so that I had plenty of warning of oncoming 'oversized movements'! Then had ample time to get right off the road. When you hear '2 at 8.1' you know there is no room for you anywhere on the seal!

wide load.jpg sth newman.jpg

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Spida, it took us a while to realise they meant "2 vehicles with 8.1 meter-wide loads, and you must get right off the road".. but great once you understand their jargon.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Good pics there Spida and roger that.

Another thing you can hear is, '2 in the Shute' and 'Flash For Cash @' The later being a good one to hear although if you are doing the right thing not a problem.

Over and out good buddy.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I agree with Spida - the radio is invaluable informing one of wide loads in the area, so you can be prepared! They are BIG loads in her photos - we were pushed right off the road coming out of Cloncurry by the pilot as well as two police cars - two extremely wide loads travelling together!!! But at least we knew they were coming and found a reasonable spot off the road.

Ginger · Veteran Member

Hi Pam, I have one but have never used it but I know it is there if I need it.

I use to listen to it but became sick of the truckie's bad language.

I am pleased I bought it though, just an extra way of staying safe and getting help if ever you need it.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Good pics there Spida and roger that.

Another thing you can hear is, '2 in the Shute' and 'Flash For Cash @' The later being a good one to hear although if you are doing the right thing not a problem.

Over and out good buddy.

Doug, what does "2 in the chute" mean??

Bryan · Guru

I thought my GME was faulty once. I transmitted on one channel but could not hear replies. It turned out that replies were coming in over another channel. Read the book, reset it and all is right. Why the feature is there though, I have no idea.

I often wonder why there is a lot of foul language around big cities

-- Edited by Bryan on Sunday 25th of August 2013 11:10:16 AM

spida · Guru

'2 in the shute' means that there are 2 vehicles approaching the load between it and the pilot vehicle.
Did get a chuckle when I heard 'Wobbly approaching' as I passed the pilot - so thats what they call us!!!!!

BRAGGABB · Senior Member

Called in at Jaycar today they have a Fathers Day Sale on there is a 5W UHF 80 Channels Digitech brand with repeater access and CTCSS (?)for clear communication on congested channels ,channel scan and up to 15km rang line of sight was $169 now $149 + 20% off all CB accessories. I thought they were much dear then that .Has anyone heard of the brand and can you use them while driving or are they the same as mobile phones.
Thank everyone for you input.

BRAGGABB · Senior Member

Spida
If I saw that coming I would be way of the side of the road and praying.

gypsy rover · Senior Member

I agree that the UHF is handy to have to receive info regarding wide loads etc and also use mine to communicate with trucks when they come up behind me. If you travel with someone else in a caravan or motorhome, it is also good to be able to communicate with each other. When I was travelling with Janno I had a blowout and called her to let her know what had happened. Unfortunately, my mic wasn't working properly,but she did realize I was trying to get hold of her and came to the rescue.
Chris

BRAGGABB · Senior Member

Hi Chris I agree with you as well about the trucks last year I went to Melbourne in a Hi Ace and it would have been good then . I to am a senior Member so all the safety features are a sense of security.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Gerty Dancer wrote:
Dougwe wrote:
Good pics there Spida and roger that.

Another thing you can hear is, '2 in the Shute' and 'Flash For Cash @' The later being a good one to hear although if you are doing the right thing not a problem.

Over and out good buddy.
Doug, what does "2 in the chute" mean??

I was told it is a warning to the actual truck driver from the lead pilot, who could be out of sight of the truck that there is 2 vehicles between the pilot and the load. Of course 2 could be whatever the amount of vehicles are at the time.

VKPORTABLE · Senior Member

Poppy sore eye wrote:
I don't mean to hijack palms question but, a few grave said to make sure you get the 80 channel system, why, if the trucks used channel 40 and caravans use channel 20, why do I need the others? Am I missing something? Told you I ask dumb questions!!!!!

You don't!
Although from now on it is going to be harder to find new 40 channel models. If you come across a XYZ 40 channel for say under $100 as opposed to $200-350 for a 80 channel, I personally think the 40 channel is going to be just as good an investment.

What do you get with 80 channels?
Well, the obvious you get an additional 37 channels. Ah but there's 80 channels, 40+40 must be 80 right? Nope there are three unallocated channels (61-63) in amongst the extra 40 which are reserve for future expansion - my guess is there are commercial services on these they are working on re-allocating, and until them will remain unavailable to CB users.

As for additional repeaters as mentioned in another post all I can say is - nice thought.
A lot of repeaters have disappeared over the years, mainly due to the expense of operation. Not only in the equipment and maintenance but also site fee's the owners pay to have their repeater located on these nice high hills and buildings.

In metro areas most repeaters are not worth listening to or using - there is a large number of tools that seem to have nothing else to do with their lives but sit on the repeaters all day long slinging abuse back and forth on an almost continual basis.

I wouldn't be holding my breath or basing my decision to purchase an 80 Channel radio just on the hope there will be more repeaters one day.
Honestly I think the ACMA would have done better just to make the extra channels all simplex and maybe allocate a few more channels for telemetry use.
There has been a bit of a spike in repeater licence's going up for sale over the recent months, because the owners of the repeaters can't afford to go out and get new equipment to comply with the new channel spacing/bandwidth, since there is no income from running a repeater it makes it hard to justify.

I know an owner of a repeater which is in desperate need of repair work, he won't go up the hill any-more due to the amount of microwave stuff that now resides there. And he really isn't interested in spending further money on something which is a financial sponge. Can't say I blame him really.

Having said all this - At least by purchasing an 80 Channel radio you are future-proofing yourself somewhat. So it does make sense to buy one at the end of the day, unless of course as I said before you find a new 40 channel job at a bargain price.