Frequently Asked Questions

tezza · Senior Member

77 channell UHF

old briney · Senior Member

simple answer YES ...all the current channels stay the same on the new 77's and old 40 channel on the new ones there are 2 or 3 channels that farmers use for watering and gate remotes. you can check this site out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UHF_CB

Wombat 280 · Guru

Why the change ?. I think I asked this before but no one came back to me . Is this change for the sake of change or is there some valid reason

Cruising Granny · Guru

I've just bought a hand-held UHF and it has 80 channels. Many at this stage are duplicated from the 40, while others are used for transmitting other information and as Old Briney tells us, farm equipment remotely.
Thechology has come a long way and it's all relative to effective management.
From what I've gleaned from the book the initial 40 will remain the same, and the additional channels make room for more transmission and other uses.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Hi All is it better to buy a hand held or get one installed?

Ma · Guru

We have both which we find the be convenient. The hand held ones we use for backing and checking lights etc. The one in the car is on all the time.

Cupie · Guru

Hi ..

Seeing all the cheap radios currently on sale ..

eg. an add today for a pair of 1watt hand helds for $48,

I thought that I'd follow up ... This is part of what I got from one site ...

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9/5/2011 - 80 Channel Update From the ACMA

Despite some incorrect media reports that users will have less radio frequency spectrum as a result of the changes to the band, the ACMA's extensive consultation means the UHF CB band has been restructured into 80 individual 12.5 kHz wide channels. This has changed from the existing 40 25 kHz wide channels.

This restructure means the following changes to channeling arrangements in the UHF citizen band.

· the UHF Citizen Band Radio Service will be extended upwards by 6.25 kHz to accommodate an additional 12.5 kHz channel

· all voice channels will transition to 12.5 kHz bandwidth

· existing repeater channels will transition to 12.5 kHz bandwidth, with new repeater channels created in the space between the existing channels.

There is a planned phase-in period for the new arrangements. Retailers will be able to supply 25 kHz equipment for approximately 18 months to clear existing stock while radio owners will be able to keep using their current 25 kHz radios for six years

The previous technical standard, which specified the technical performance limits and test methods for 25 kHz equipment, has now been revised to accommodate the new channel arrangements. Standard AS/NZS 4365:2011 was published in January 2011

Before new devices can be supplied to the market, the revised standard must be incorporated into the ACMA's equipment regulations, and the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002 must be updated to reflect the new channel arrangement

The consultation process on the changes to the class licence closed on 4 March 2011. After submissions have been reviewed, the revision of the class licence will be submitted to the ACMA for consideration. This is expected to occur before June 2011.

The ACMA has no plans to return to a system of individual CB operating licences, as clamed in some reports.

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I interperet this to mean that in general the existing UHF CB frequency band has been divided into 80 x 12.5 Khz segments in lieu of the existing 40 x 25 KHz wide channels.

It seems to suggest that the existing 40ch sets will continue to operate for 6 years.

The questions that occur to me include ...

Will the 40ch sets be able to talk to 80ch sets?

Will the 40 ch sets be able to use the repeater functions as repeaters are changed to the new standard?

What will 'disable' the 40ch sets in 6yrs?

Can the 40ch sets be 'unlocked' to change to 80 ch configuration?

ps. I have Emailed the ACMA asking the above questions & seeking information on their 'Public Awareness' information program, if there is one. If they answer I will let you know. Cheers G

pps. Got a response from an ACMA Senior Engineer within hours (fantastic speed of response). In essence he referred me to the website that answered most of the questions & said that their media team is developing options for advising the user population.

-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 22nd of August 2011 08:07:29 AM

-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 22nd of August 2011 04:13:28 PM

jimricho · Guru

The additional new channels will be interleaved between the current channels in order to incorporate these channels into the existing allocated spectrum. The user does not need to know this as channel selection will be straightforward as it is now. Three channels aren't allocated hence the reference to sometimes 77 channels and sometimes 80 channels, ie there's no difference between a 77 ch and an 80 ch when it comes to purchasing a unit.

It's my understanding that many existing 40 ch units can be converted to 80 ch units, some by a service tech and some by a simple software reprogramming by the user.

More information at http://www.uhfcb.com/80-Channel-Radio-Conversions.php

If you "drill down" through this site there is a wealth of information on UHF CB.

Cupie · Guru

jimricho wrote:

It's my understanding that many existing 40 ch units can be converted to 80 ch units, some by a service tech and some by a simple software reprogramming by the user.

More information at http://www.uhfcb.com/80-Channel-Radio-Conversions.php

Thks for that ..

Here is an extract of that site that addresses a few of my questions ..

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Unfortunately most radios are not upgradeable to include the new channels, which means that to access them you will need to by a new unit

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my old UHF CB radio still work when the changes take place?

Yes, You existing UHF CB radio will still work after January 1st 2010

Will my old UHF CB radio interfere with other channels?

It is possible that old UHF CB will interfere with new channels but you would need to be very close to another radio to create a problem

Can I talk to someone on a new UHF CB radio with my old UHF CB radio?

Yes, You will be able to talk to another person using a new UHF CB radio provided they are on one of the current 40 channels, if the other UHF CB radio is on one of the newly allocated channels then you will not be able to talk to them

Will I notice any changes when talking on a new UHF CB radio with my old UHF CB radio?

Yes, You will notice that the sound will be distorted but you will be able to talk to each other

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It seems to me that if you are in the market for a new UHF set you should seriously consider the new ones or at least an 'up gradable/unlockable' one.

This probably explains the rush of good deals around at present.

Have a look at the 'UHF users buyers guide' on the above site. It gives a table that shows that the majority are NOT upgradable.

-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 22nd of August 2011 10:06:30 AM