Many grey nomads will be relieved to hear that a decision to make some UHF radios illegal from June this year has been reversed.
Like many others with older equipment, a fair percentage of caravanners and motorhomers were alarmed when the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) that – due to fears of congestion – the use of 40 channel UHF radios, or citizens band (CB) radios, would no longer be permitted from June this year. Those affected would have needed to upgrade to 80 channel radios.
However, after speaking with users and monitoring channels, the ACMA has reversed its decision, allowing use of the radios and interlinking of CB repeaters.
ACMA’s Spectrum Licensing Policy section manager, Dominic Byrne, told the Queensland Country Life newspaper that it was a common sense approach and would benefit a lot of people, particularly in rural areas.
“Limitations on both things were put in place to reduce the potential for congestion but subsequent monitoring by us and talking to CB users indicates that congestion isn’t the problem it was when changes were first introduced in 2011,” he said. “We expect this to be something positive particularly in regional remote areas where we understand there is a lot of older style equipment still out there … people replace them only as they have to.”
National Road Freighters Association president Tony Hopkins said it was a relief the original decision had been reversed.
“It literally would have cost not only the industry but have a look at how many private residences, grey nomads, workshops have them, it would have cost millions and millions of dollars to replace them,” he told the Queensland Country Life. “It was kept pretty quiet that they were doing it in that respect and I believe people wouldn’t have known about it until they got the fines for it … it was a decision of common sense for a change.”
· Do you have a 40 Channel UHF radio? How much do you use your UHF radio when in the road? Comment below.
What I would like to know is are the 40 channel and 80 channel compatible?
Yes they are although at times the 80 ch units can sound a bit Tinnie.
The first 40 ch are the same and ch 41 to 80 have been slotted in between the old ones.
All the time channel 40
I don’t see any mention of the thousands of Truckies who also rely on 40 channel sets.
They sure kept this news quiet, first I heard of it !!!
No been around quite some time.
There are other channels for chat but 40 is a must to talk to truckies indicating suitable passing manoeuvres. They appreciate it every time.
Yes and never had a problem with congestion on the airwaves , bad no discussing language yes congestion no .
Woody
As grey nomads we have a 40 Channel Icom. We use channel 40 constantly because we want to listen to trucks and communicate with them. Truck drivers are very informative and courteous. We do not envy their jobs. If we can bring a little laughter to their otherwise lonely life, we will.
When did this happen, oh boy, we use it in the car, motor-home, in the shed and from our house, have also many portable units proven its worth due to a accident this morning around home, helped out with traffic control
We use channel 40 constantly on the road. The only time congestion has become an issue is when a couple of mates ‘out there’ decide to have a full-blown conversation; other than that it’s a great way to communicate with other RV’ers and the truckies.
Good luck to Big Brother, send out the UHF police. Another stupid unenforceable policy. I have an 80 channel in our tug. the first 40 are the same. Idiots in offices! PS we use 40 constantly to talk to the trucks and get them past safely. Personally think if you are towing a van on outback roads, (or even the coast)you should have one. We would not leave home without it.
Actually Alan, having your names on the back of the van helps truckies to call and pass on info on road situations. And to let you know when they are coming round. We have short friendly chats with them on the road. Makes remote travel more interesting.