UHF ok for some, not mandatory

Eaglemax · Guru

UHF ok for some, not mandatory

Les_B · Member

100% agree

Basher · Senior Member

I agree with what you say, we have one, leave it on 40 & 18, you rarely here much dribble in the back blocks where we do most of our travels.

Everyone to their own, they can be handy all the same
Bashrr

-- Edited by Basher on Thursday 20th of July 2023 09:56:51 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

We don't have a radio.

We also travel around Europe often mountainous areas where there are not many people, up to 4 months. We don't have a phone, computer or epirb.

Love the escape from technology.

We do have paper maps.

The key thing is use out brains & common sense, "read" landscape & take mental notes of how we got to where we did.

Know our limitations.

We have no issues with Darwinian departures!

Bicyclecamper · Guru

Last vehicle I had was a radio enthusiasts supermarket but this vehcile has none except an 2 watt handheld GME, 9 times out of ten it is not turned on. If I could get the old upper and lower sideband CB radio's of yesteryear, I would fit one, or have it as a base station at home( I actually have a need for one, if anyone has one), but all I take now is a sat phone.

Cuppa · Guru

Although I choose to have a UHF, I admit that I don't use it all the time, & when I do use it it is largely a matter of convenience (which I appreciate) & not a necessity. On a handful of occasions it is more than convenience, it is a matter of safety.

The problem which you have identified is one of the attitude of some.

The attitude, which extends far beyond UHF ownership is one often found among folk from all walks of life & from all backgrounds but which seems particularly common among grey nomads, seen at free camps, caravan parks & dare I say it ..... online forums. (This one has more than it's fair share of them).

The attitude is one where it's owner has for whatever reason reached a personal position on something - anything from the their ideal travelling set up to ownership & use of UHF's, & cannot (or will not) allow the 'wisdom' which they feel they have about their personal choices & beliefs to be questioned, to the extent that anyone not sharing those choices & beliefs represents a threat to their sense of wellbeing & elicits critical & often abusive responses to those who make different choices or have different beliefs. Eg. "no UHF? you're an idiot". Generally folk who show that type of attitude not only believe they know better, but are also the sort of people for whom empathy is an anathema.

Your suggestion of "Try not to judge everyone harshly just because they don't do things how you do them" is precisely what those people need to hear, but sadly their very nature is most commonly precisely the self protective reasoning which keeps their ears & minds tightly closed to taking such simple & well meaning advice onboard.

I do believe that there are situations where UHF radios could usefully be made compulsory, & that not having one (& using it) represents a danger to others as well as to the individual, but those circumstances are not on made roads where the majority of folk travel.

-- Edited by Cuppa on Thursday 20th of July 2023 09:28:43 AM

Eaglemax · Guru

Thanks for the replies. Cuppa, you nailed it. EM

Mariner30 · Senior Member

I read the OP and thought ' who would call him an idiot for not having a UHF ?

Then at the bottom of the is this page...
"3 reasons you need a UHF when you go caravanning "

I was dumbstruck and flabbergasted...flabbergasted say l.

I gotta run so not gonna put up a link but it is on ' caravanning with kids' or something like that

Some of the ' advice ' and comments are just mindblowing...from what appears to be very new caravanners.

Aussie1 · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
We don't have a radio.

We also travel around Europe often mountainous areas where there are not many people, up to 4 months. We don't have a phone, computer or epirb.

Love the escape from technology.

We do have paper maps.

The key thing is use out brains & common sense, "read" landscape & take mental notes of how we got to where we did.

Know our limitations.

We have no issues with Darwinian departures!

Interesting attitude, given your isolation travelling, I expect "smoke signals" would suffice in an emergency. Which I hope never happens to you.

We carry all the items you mentioned you do not carry simply in the interest of less worry for loved ones if we ever need assistance and just as important to lessen the time, effort and cost required if authorities are needed.

Travel safe.

Dick0 · Guru

Crickey, I use mine often out on the open roads. Cruising at 90kmh I work in with the Semi's & Roadtrains thundering along at 100kmh, they are working and have a need to reach their destination ASAP, while I'm just pottering along in retirement. I let them know that I see them approaching and depending on the circumstances let them know that I will slow down or pull over for them to pass. I find that the drivers appreciate the effort. Also, with other vanners coming in the opposite direction we will have a chat about conditions up ahead. I thought a UHF radio was a given with long range travelers especially in the expanse of this Country. Break down on the open road, no mobile reception, call up a passerby for assistance. I wouldn't leave on a trip without one.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Aussie1 wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:
We don't have a radio.

We also travel around Europe often mountainous areas where there are not many people, up to 4 months. We don't have a phone, computer or epirb.

Love the escape from technology.

We do have paper maps.

The key thing is use out brains & common sense, "read" landscape & take mental notes of how we got to where we did.

Know our limitations.

We have no issues with Darwinian departures!

Interesting attitude, given your isolation travelling, I expect "smoke signals" would suffice in an emergency. Which I hope never happens to you.
We carry all the items you mentioned you do not carry simply in the interest of less worry for loved ones if we ever need assistance and just as important to lessen the time, effort and cost required if authorities are needed.
Travel safe.

The instant people rely on technology they are doomed to failure.

deverall11 · Guru

Dick0 wrote:
Crickey, I use mine often out on the open roads. Cruising at 90kmh I work in with the Semi's & Roadtrains thundering along at 100kmh, they are working and have a need to reach their destination ASAP, while I'm just pottering along in retirement. I let them know that I see them approaching and depending on the circumstances let them know that I will slow down or pull over for them to pass. I find that the drivers appreciate the effort. Also, with other vanners coming in the opposite direction we will have a chat about conditions up ahead. I thought a UHF radio was a given with long range travelers especially in the expanse of this Country. Break down on the open road, no mobile reception, call up a passerby for assistance. I wouldn't leave on a trip without one.

Agree and this where we made most use of it. Truckies really appreciate a caravaner who is aware they are their.

On the subject of wide load accompanied by a pilot, this vehicle does not always cut the mustard. On a number of occasions driving across the Nulabor, pilot

was less then 10m in front of the wide load with no hope for a caravan to get out of the way in time. After a few close calls, we resulted in initiating the call and

asked for the width of the load. Country roads on average are about 8m wide. So if the reply was that the wide load was over 4m, you know he is occupying

your side. Gives you plenty of time to slow down and move before it becomes a panic situation.

Are We Lost · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
The instant people rely on technology they are doomed to failure.

Who said anything about relying on technology?

And aren't you putting too much reliance on your vehicle? Or do you not leave the bitumen? If you explore a little and a roo jumps in front, causing enough damage to make it undriveable, what then? Self rescue of more than a few kilometres in the hot sun may be beyond the ability of many on here.

It's also about considering other road users, particularly when driving a slower van. Nice to let a following truckie know that you will make room for an overtake. Having a tool available that you may never use is better than not having it but need it.

For the record I have a UHF that stays off most of the time, and not even connected if just travelling highways.

Aussie1 · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
Aussie1 wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:
We don't have a radio.

We also travel around Europe often mountainous areas where there are not many people, up to 4 months. We don't have a phone, computer or epirb.

Love the escape from technology.

We do have paper maps.

The key thing is use out brains & common sense, "read" landscape & take mental notes of how we got to where we did.

Know our limitations.

We have no issues with Darwinian departures!

Interesting attitude, given your isolation travelling, I expect "smoke signals" would suffice in an emergency. Which I hope never happens to you.
We carry all the items you mentioned you do not carry simply in the interest of less worry for loved ones if we ever need assistance and just as important to lessen the time, effort and cost required if authorities are needed.
Travel safe.

The instant people rely on technology they are doomed to failure.

Well, I guess you travel by walking because vehicles have technology built in as well. And you would have to rely on that technology, and of course, be doomed to failure

Cheers

Whenarewethere · Guru

I actually do a lot of walking, but nevertheless take passive backup into account.

Aussie1 · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
I actually do a lot of walking, but nevertheless take passive backup into account.

Relieved to hear it

Cheers

Whenarewethere · Guru

We can still read a map!

Craig1 · Guru

"On the subject of wide load accompanied by a pilot, this vehicle does not always cut the mustard."

Niether does the oncoming car near Rockhampton yesterday it would seem.Apparently ignored oncoming pilot. Sure made a mess of tanks and trucks and LC200, vans as well. See ABC report

Whenarewethere · Guru

Australia should have deployed caravan drivers in Ukraine. Would have destroyed Russian tanks within 3 days!

Dick0 · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
Australia should have deployed caravan drivers in Ukraine. Would have destroyed Russian tanks within 3 days!

Fair Go Mate!

Eaglemax · Guru

Craig1 I read the abc report in part said "initial investigations suggest a passenger vehicle failed to stop for an escort vehicle accompanying the semi-trailer carrying the tank, causing a domino effect." Early to say bit no hint that a UHF would have prevented it.

Eaglemax · Guru

Dick0 said in part "... I thought a UHF radio was a given with long range travelers especially in the expanse of this Country. Break down on the open road, no mobile reception, call up a passerby for assistance. I wouldn't leave on a trip without one. " That's my point, being, it isn't a "given" so much so that is has never been a mandatory requirement. As for reception, even UHF can be out of range. Saw on outback truckers a guy in a remote area with no UHF reception, had to wait for a passing truck. I'm glad you're happy owning one though.

Eaglemax · Guru

Whenarewethere said "... if we ever need assistance and just as important to lessen the time, effort and cost required if authorities are needed. " Cost? Well if a 22yo yachtsman (Xavier Dooer) can enter a storm rounding SW WA trying to break a record round Australia sail in a 20ft yacht with 8m waves, which diverted 2 cargo ships, an RAAF surveillance plane, rescue helicopter and trawler to tow his yacht ashore all for near zero cost then as a taxpayer for 50 years I'm not worried about cost.

Whenarewethere · Guru

I have sailed a lot, but magnitudes within the limits of the yacht.

People who sail, row or sail board in inappropriate environments should be left.

Eaglemax · Guru

Agree mate

Plain Truth · Guru

It all depends where you are traveling,we have one, most times it is not on.

But we rely on it when in Vic.High country,don't want meet logging trucks on some tight bends with the van on.

Better to pull over and give them plenty of room.Also on some side roads they recommend a UHF

TheHeaths · Guru

Certainly not mandatory, but as Plain Truth has noted, there are some places it does provide a service and protection.

Similar road is from Forsayth to Cobbold Gorge with a number of safety call ups.

Im glad we have one, but certainly not critical of those that dont. To each their own. Just enjoy your trips.

Eaglemax · Guru

TheHeaths wrote:
Certainly not mandatory, but as Plain Truth has noted, there are some places it does provide a service and protection.

Similar road is from Forsayth to Cobbold Gorge with a number of safety call ups.

Im glad we have one, but certainly not critical of those that dont. To each their own. Just enjoy your trips.

Yeh, think that is the way to go, that if there is a "real" need (as well as personal choice) then I can accept that as its common sense.

I suppose my reaction is towards those that believe caravanning should include use of UHF accompanied by more than frowning if you dont possess one. Some of us (especially me) cannot cope with anything extra than the basics. I find I'm not enjoying my trips with distractions.

EM

Whenarewethere · Guru

We use our sand flag where required, 2.4m above roof (4.3m total height) plus a few other places not required, mainly because scrub is too high & blind situations on tracks, Francois Peron National Park a good example. Also don't race along tracks. That alone has saved two situations.

Greg 1 · Guru

I have a UHF. It is on all the time on channel 40. Find it an absolute boon dealing with roadtrains and overwidth vehicles as has been mentioned by others. It may not be mandatory but I would encourage people to use one. If by the simple fitment and use of a UHF we can make the roads a safer and more pleasant place for all users then why would you not use one.