American Driving - CB or UHF??

[Jastel]

Anyone know if they use UHF radios (eg channel 40) on the roads in USA?
Or what they DO use??
Old am CB's still?

Going over soon for a road trip and was wondering if it was worth taking the hand held UHF radio to listen to truckies etc like I do here.

Thanks

[388cube_edxr8]

I think the Yankees use 2 cups and a bit of string.

[flappist]

UHF CB as in 477Mhz is Australia and (I think) NZ only.

USA use the original 27Mhz system......that is where 10-4 good buddy came from....

Our UHF CB is illegal there

[FgNewbie]

Jastel pick up a cheap 27MHz radio and talk to the guys.

If you have a good Aussie accent, tell them you are in Ayres Rock with a foot warmer (linear amp) and a beam pointing at them.

[Jastel]

Thanks - will leave it behind then

I could only find references to CB's on USA truck sites

FYI they are illegal in Japan as well, due to different Japanese mobile frequencies Aussie snowskiers were using them to contact each other and scrambling the local TV. There are signs in the ski areas now warning of large fines.

[Mr Hardware]

On that note, as of January 1 2011 they are opening the new 80-channel UHF standard

Don't worry though, all our old UHF's will still work. Channels 1-40 stay the same. Channels 41-80 are using frequencies in between 1-40, so it goes like 1, 41, 2, 42, 3, 43, 4 etc. But on a 80ch radio it will be programmed 1,2,3,4 etc of course.

I've got an awesome handheld that has tx/rx on 40ch and then programmable rx as well, next year i'm going to be inputting the 41-80ch freq's just to see that no-one uses them. Because no-one will have 80ch radios for donkeys i'm betting.

Read more here

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

On that note, as of January 1 2011 they are opening the new 80-channel UHF standard

Don't worry though, all our old UHF's will still work. Channels 1-40 stay the same. Channels 41-80 are using frequencies in between 1-40, so it goes like 1, 41, 2, 42, 3, 43, 4 etc. But on a 80ch radio it will be programmed 1,2,3,4 etc of course.

I've got an awesome handheld that has tx/rx on 40ch and then programmable rx as well, next year i'm going to be inputting the 41-80ch freq's just to see that no-one uses them. Because no-one will have 80ch radios for donkeys i'm betting.

Read more here

Now this really appeals to my sense of humour.

The only real reason to increase the number of channels would be that the current channels are congested.
As UHF is very short range the only way that could happen is if there is a concentration of users in a local area such as a city or a 4WD attraction such as Fraser Island etc.

The solution?

Reduce the channel separation from 25khz to 12.5khz so interference is increased significantly especially from older "wide" transmitters and of course the 25, 50 and 100 watt ex-commercial units commonly found in enthusiasts' vehicles.

Yep, ACMA does it again.......

[aquahead2001]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

On that note, as of January 1 2011 they are opening the new 80-channel UHF standard

Don't worry though, all our old UHF's will still work. Channels 1-40 stay the same. Channels 41-80 are using frequencies in between 1-40, so it goes like 1, 41, 2, 42, 3, 43, 4 etc. But on a 80ch radio it will be programmed 1,2,3,4 etc of course.

I've got an awesome handheld that has tx/rx on 40ch and then programmable rx as well, next year i'm going to be inputting the 41-80ch freq's just to see that no-one uses them. Because no-one will have 80ch radios for donkeys i'm betting.

Read more here

I have a Uniden UHF CB and one of the selling points was it was reprogramable to the future freqencies, I guess that means I have to get it done now...

On international CB radio frequencies, just about every country has strong laws for brining in other CB radios (eg Australian). Australia is the same too, this is due to frequencies being allocated to different uses in different countries.

[FgNewbie]

80!? wow.

Interesting to note they have allocated another 8 repeater channels.

I sold most of my radio gear many years ago when 27meg was full of school kids, UHF repeater inputs were being jammed and crane controllers abused anyone else using "their" channel. I have very little gear left and my house doesn't look like a porcupine any more.

flappist with incredible ducting, good linear and aerial, and a lot of luck, I did Syd to Tas on UHF back in 199?. He even sent me a QSL card which cracked up my friends.

Part of my UHF gear included a radio with CTCSS in the car hooked up to the output of the alarm. When the alarm triggered it called my other radios inc a handheld. Best alarm system I ever had.

Memories

[Keepleft]

US - 27Mhz CB brand name suppliers. (see also Ebay).

Ranger
http://rangerusa.com/

Cobra
https://cobra.com/category/cb-radios.cfm

President
http://www.president-electronics.com...?code_lg=lg_us

Galaxy
http://galaxyradios.com/

Midland
http://www.midlandradio.com/CB-Radio.WYQ

A feature on some is the tornado warning system - NOAA.

[FgNewbie]

How could you forget Cobra
https://cobra.com/category/cb-radios.cfm

edit: if/when I can find it, I've got a 138XLR-A with COT, handset, switchable / removable digiscan, plus more. Probably 30 yrs old.

[Keepleft]

TRUE - so Fixed it FG:-) Its enough to make me go back to 27Mhz:-)

I'll just make sure its an 'international version' that has FM 26/27Mhz mode too...

I notice some of those US/international models have Bluetooth incorporated!

[FgNewbie]

Keepleft way back Lee Andrews sold a radio 26 - 30MHz VFO (no channels as such) AM-FM-USB. I can't remember the brand, I used it in the boat for years.

edit: found it, Belcom LS102L had CW as well


any way I'll shuddup and crawl back into my memory well

[fmc351]

Ive still got two PS super cheetah Mk 111's. I havent used them in years, come to think about it, maybe they're super lions, not cheetahs.

[FgNewbie]

A blast from the past.
In 1992 I still had a C64 and just a few radios

[MexicanBatman]

You know what's funny, I just got a radio license from casa and I have no idea what this thread is about LOL

I just use the radio :| but we use VHF

[flappist]

Originally Posted by MexicanBatman

You know what's funny, I just got a radio license from casa and I have no idea what this thread is about LOL

I just use the radio :| but we use VHF

Well in actual fact you use MF, HF, VHF & UHF.

MF for the ADF, HF for the long distance stuff, VHF for area, centre, FIS and tower etc. as well as VOR and UHF for ELT and DME.

[last fairlane]

I also have a full call ham licence
and back in 97 the Mrs and I went to the UK
well I took a two metre hand held with me
and the Brisbane repeater 145900 was the police call channel
was funny hearing PnC check please or IC one just like watching the bill
I wasnt game to answer them
but I did contact other hams via the repeater but to activate it you needed a 1750 Hz tone which Ozzie hand helds didnt have so I just whistled it up
to open up the repeater
when I gave my VK4 call sign I got a lot of replies
also if anyone can remember the 1970s
27Mgz (11 metres) was a ham band and when it was given over to the CB users @$20 a licence 3 times the price of a ham licence
then all of a sudden we went to 18 channels down from 23 channels and we had sub channels and odd ones too
it didnt worry me I had a Kenwood 520 with 100 watts AM and 300watts sideband that scared a few people
anyway enough reminiscing
thanks John

[platinumXR]

Originally Posted by flappist

Now this really appeals to my sense of humour.

The only real reason to increase the number of channels would be that the current channels are congested.
As UHF is very short range the only way that could happen is if there is a concentration of users in a local area such as a city or a 4WD attraction such as Fraser Island etc.

The solution?

Reduce the channel separation from 25khz to 12.5khz so interference is increased significantly especially from older "wide" transmitters and of course the 25, 50 and 100 watt ex-commercial units commonly found in enthusiasts' vehicles.

Yep, ACMA does it again.......

...so I can dust off the old PRM8030?

[platinumXR]

Originally Posted by FgNewbie

A blast from the past.
In 1992 I still had a C64 and just a few radios

WOW...are those Sawtrons?

[FgNewbie]

Good pick, Sawtron 999 with police mod and linears sitting on top of each. I had 4 of them plus a couple of 990. Also had FM320, TX475 and another GME I forget, and a TAIT. The TX475 was predominately used for my car alarm later replaced with a programmable UHF/VHF Icom.

Next to the bottom 999 is either a Kenwood TS-940s or TS-950 or Icom R-72, I had them all but don't remember what's in the pic. Looks like an AOR2002 sitting there too. I've still got 2 of them, they make good alarm clocks. I still use the Yaesu FP-707 PS too.

Under the dustcover is an Epson printer for the C64.

For the life of me I can't remember everything in the pic. I see an HF linear and VHF Seaphone. There were more radios mounted under the desk and stacked in the cupboard.

Needless to say, my place looked like a porcupine (with aerials) inc a longwire for an HF Codan / RFDS.

I've still got Garfield. (He is on top of the stack next to the tv in the pic).

Did anyone else have binary switching in the 70s for extra channels?
Hope the op doesn't mind

[Mr Hardware]

fgnewbie and lastfairlane, as someone who's only just got his first programmable rx radio, i am in awe of you two.

[FgNewbie]

Mr Hardware, enjoy your new toy.
Possibly my first programmable rx radio (scanner) looked more like a set of scales.

[platinumXR]

Originally Posted by FgNewbie

Good pick, Sawtron 999 with police mod and linears sitting on top of each. I had 4 of them plus a couple of 990. Also had FM320, TX475 and another GME I forget, and a TAIT. The TX475 was predominately used for my car alarm later replaced with a programmable UHF/VHF Icom.

Next to the bottom 999 is either a Kenwood TS-940s or TS-950 or Icom R-72, I had them all but don't remember what's in the pic. Looks like an AOR2002 sitting there too. I've still got 2 of them, they make good alarm clocks. I still use the Yaesu FP-707 PS too.

Under the dustcover is an Epson printer for the C64.

For the life of me I can't remember everything in the pic. I see an HF linear and VHF Seaphone. There were more radios mounted under the desk and stacked in the cupboard.

Needless to say, my place looked like a porcupine (with aerials) inc a longwire for an HF Codan / RFDS.

I've still got Garfield. (He is on top of the stack next to the tv in the pic).

Did anyone else have binary switching in the 70s for extra channels?
Hope the op doesn't mind

Yeah sorry...back on track in a sec. Yeah did the old toggle switch mod LOL.

But a 999 sure beat an old 828 or FM91/93. Even tried the KG108 which was a good box. Until Tait T2020's came along that is.

But sorry OP...back on track...

[FgNewbie]

platinumXR, I miss the 2020. FM900 mounted in a Ford made me feel like a Taxi.

Toggles.. 4 up 4 down 1 left 1 right.. mmm think I'm out by a channel

[platinumXR]

Originally Posted by FgNewbie

platinumXR, I miss the 2020. FM900 mounted in a Ford made me feel like a Taxi.

Toggles.. 4 up 4 down 1 left 1 right.. mmm think I'm out by a channel

[ModchipMan]

Hay would any one of you guys have a reapeter mod for the old FM320, been looking on the net with no luck..
Cheers big ears
QBE689,CT531, Midnight Mover and unseen green bean..

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by flappist

UHF CB as in 477Mhz is Australia and (I think) NZ only.

USA use the original 27Mhz system......that is where 10-4 good buddy came from....

Our UHF CB is illegal there

Illegal to use a UHF radio but legal in numerous states over there to carry a gun ..Only in America
Yep CB is this over 40 channels ...If you scroll down here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CB_rad..._United_States you'll find the frequencies list .

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Illegal to use a UHF radio but legal in numerous states over there to carry a gun ..Only in America
Yep CB is this over 40 channels ...If you scroll down here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CB_rad..._United_States you'll find the frequencies list .

And the states where it isn’t legal have higher crime rates than those where it is legal. But yes, the FCC has a lot of silly regulations. Could free up more bandwidth by getting rid of over-the-Air TV transmission completely.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Illegal to use a UHF radio but legal in numerous states over there to carry a gun ..Only in America

Australia is no different, there are only 80 free to use UHF channels available for the public to use without needing to buy a licence, the 27mhz CB channels are the American equivalent of our UHF, except the Americans never felt the need for a whole new radio system like the 477mhz we adopted in Australia.

And yes, if you are caught transmitting without the appropriate licence or the permission of the licence holder, you WILL get fined, and IIRC whoever programmed your radio to be able to transmit on that frequency gets a fine too.