UHF transmission protocols

Especially in the cities you will find a lot of people using UHF CB who have the IQ of a gibbon with learning difficulties. The language and vividly graphic descriptions of human interaction some of these people use is, certainly, not suitable for family listening.

In the country things are different (aren't they always :) and UHF CB is used in a much more civilised and helpful manner. Some people use callsigns (which they make up - there is no database) most do not. Caravan people usually use channel 18 as a "call" channel. The general "call" channel is either 9 or 11 - can't remember.

Channels 1 to 8 and 31 to 38 inclusive are "Repeater" channels and should not be used for simplex (ie. car to car) use. Channel 5 is the emergency channel and should only be used for serious matters. Channels 23 and 24 are supposed to be used only for data transmission.

There is no real speech protocol on CB - just be nice to people as you would in normal conversation.

Mike Harding

Hi,

I am no expert in the matter, but have had a UHF CB for a while now... No specific protocol.

However there is specific channels for Repeaters and use, example I believe the Caravan Channel for example is 15..

Hope this helps a little.

A handy reference:

www.telstat.com.au/channel-use.htm

The handy channels to know on the road:

5 - emergency
10 - 4WDs
18 - caravans
40 - trucks

Do not use channels 22 or 23, I believe it's actually illegal to use these for voice transmissions. I think I read on here that someone bought a new UHF unit a few months ago and these stations were actually disabled on it.

Unfortunately in reality many people ignore these guidelines, and most of the traffic in populated areas usually consists of foul language.

Useful site, scroll down. www.acbro.org/index.htm

I find the data use thingy, and blocking those channels as a consequence, very odd.

I live in the country, and have never heard data on these frequencies. Nor has anyone else around the countryside (ie i've asked mates living across rural oz, and they've never run in to it). Maybe I've led a sheltered life!!

As to what channels are available to use; standard proceedure (hah!, not sure what else to call it though) is to find out what repeaters can be accessed and stay off those (and the transmit channel), don't bother with 39 & 40 because that's the truckie's domain, and anything after that is useable.

I get the impression that most people just get one and start using it, and not worry about asking the questions you are Wendy. Hence there's little awareness or protocol. And that's only going to become more casual as those cheap handhelds flood the market. Drives you nuts when 10 year olds get those for xmas and chatter away . . but that's another rant!

In the bush local Rural Fire Services monitor certain channels in certain areas,eg 5 adjoining brigades may listen in on one channel & then use the same one for
communication when on a fireground. But UHF is public radio & while the truckies
will leave a channel being used for fire control alone, at other times, you will
suffer the language of the road on most channels if you are in range of a major
highway. UHF is used by rural people for general farm communications, &
business such as delivery/couriers in their trade.
Not a lot of protocol exists today & I suggest you dont transmit on a channel that
appears to be being used for fire or other emergency, protect the kids from the truckie chat if you can, dont become involved in threatening or violent conversations & above all, protect your identity & location (Unless lost) because
anyone may be listening. I assume those that display thier uhf channel on the
rear of the van etc do welcome a chat with other road users, & it can be useful to
persons travelling in convoy.
Having said all that I wont be taking one on an outback holiday in April as I dont
consider it either useful or necessary, others will disagree, but I have seen many
with a uhf & most without a shovel.....oldbaz.

Wendy41
It is a shame that we have to put with so much crap on the CB, and to top it off the State Governments have a law that states that all Pilot Drivers must keep in touch with other Pilots and the Truck Driver and also with the Police [when they are with us] on UHF CB m and we have to try and do our job as by the law while some little mongrels just cause so much havoc , 40 channel hand helds should not be allowed to be sold or used by kids m and a lot of the time it's not kids either , some adults can be so unintelligent on Radio, anyhow if you have a look at this letter sent to me from Canberra you will know why there is so much crap on the radio's
Site Link

Doug

Thanks guys. It appears to be a bit of a free for all!

Still, I will enjoy setting my own standards of consice civility and politeness. Lead by example that's what I say! Lesser mortals may follow! So lets lead from the front.

If that fails there is always the off switch!

Hi Wendy
All the previous replys were spot on. There are procedures to follow
My experience is that the dearer the radio the less morons, foul language etc etc that use it ???
On land 27 mg, UHF, HF or sea 27mg, VHF,HF
Usually I don't turn my uhf on till I'm well clear of any major city.
Some "Humans" ???? have no respect to others on the channels
I guess they have no life and feel important causing havoc on the radio channels.
Safe travels
Bazza

Just to clarify the legal situation, you can be fined if you use the following channels contrary to their allocated purpose -

Channels 1 to 8 and 31 to 38 - Repeater use ONLY

Channel 5 emergency communications ONLY

Channels 23 and 24 for Data transmission ONLY.

Of course it's illegal to use obscene language on any radio transmission, and the way people are fined for doing that on city repeaters gives everyone a lot of respect for radio regulations !!!!