Dhutime wrote:

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I just like the ability to converse with the truckers when either they want to pass or we passing them . Also if traveling with others we can keep in contact . This would apply anywhere around our country.
Dhutime

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With you totally here Dhutime. We find the UHF a most useful tool in relation to talking to truck drivers and what the drivers would like us to do as far as the truck getting the safest passing of ourselves.

Cheers

Hello again Thor we last spoke about your trip plan and where to go. Yes get a radio It doesn't have to be expensive as long as it is 5 watt and a mid range ariel will suffice. Channel 40 for trucks and 18 for general but I leave mine on 40. They are helpful in many ways.

1. I informed a fellow traveler once that his toilet vent was open and he was grateful.

2. One time on The princess Highway between Melbourne and Geelong the traffic was stopped and unusually banked up I got on the cb did a scan to find someone on channel when I asked the question whats going on up ahead and had the answer straight away ( unfortunately it was that 4 person fatality due to someone driving up the wrong side of the Highway. )

3.Talk to the Truckies ( luvly people )

4. Get a hand held set as well to get someone ( wife ) to give instructions when backing the van instead of them standing behind the van waving their arms about and you can't even see them.

5. I love my radio its another dimension of the touring experience. I sometimes turn it off because unfortunately there are a few out there that can talk about absolutely nothing in the foulest way. 

6. Further north in the land of the Road Trains when they are approaching a small bridge or creek crossing where there is only room for one they will warn you they are headed that way and its in your interest to let them go first because they can't stop as easy as you.

They say something like this " Road Train North Bound 1 K from Blah Blah Creek Crossing "

A lot of people put their name and CH 18/40 on the back of the van at least the truck driver behind you won't call you Caravan.

TOM 40

Hope this is good info for you.

Another positive from me, wouldn't be without one.

I only bother about channel 40, unless in a mining area and there are signs advising use of a different frequency.

I've found channel 18 to be pretty much useless, even though caravans have signs on the rear advising they monitor 18 few of them ever respond to a call.

For Info Re CB Channels.....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UHF_CB#Channel_use

Tom.

Vince wrote:

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I have a UHF for monitoring a few channels, I find it quiet useful traveling

I also have an amateur call and this radio is good for further distance through repeaters etc, handy if I get into trouble in more remote areas

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Hi Vince, I too have had a full call Amateur Ticket since the late 70s. Now VK3BWC, although I have not been active since around mid 80s, as I was involves with my flying. I always had a 2 meter rig under the seat in case. I also had UHF 40 channel cb. Back around mid 80s I had wife and 4 young kids on board traveling from Lake Cullulleraine back to Mildura in the dark and ran out of fuel in the the Tojo FJ55. I called for assistance on the UHF simplex and repeater. Nothing even though I could hear people on the channels. I then dug out the 2 meter rig and fired it up through the repeater and got an immediate response. He brought me out 10 liters, and would not take any money but asked if I could take his wife for a ride in my gyroplane the next day. He was also a pilot and wanted his wife to experience the joy. A fair deal!!

I plane to have a HF rig with me when we begin to accomplish remoter areas, as well as the UHF.

Aussie Paul.