UHF CB Possible New Channels

[radioaustralia]

This has been getting alot of discussion between comms enthusiasts:

6.1.2 uhf citizen band—increase in available channels

If an 80 channel UHF CB band is to be implemented, ACMA anticipates that there would be a period of time during which existing equipment using 25 kHz bandwidth would be permitted to continue operation, and new 80 channel 12.5 kHz equipment would also be permitted to operate. After the phase-out date only the use of 12.5 kHz channel equipment would be authorised. Use of 25 kHz bandwidth UHF CB equipment would not be supported.

More Info: ACMA - IFC 08/2009

Any thoughts? Worth the change or not?

 

[SCPD]

I personally can't see the point as the current channels are not exactly that "full" but that is down here in Tasmania and on the main land it might be a different story.

Paul

 

[radioaustralia]

I personally can't see the point as the current channels are not exactly that "full" but that is down here in Tasmania and on the main land it might be a different story.

I can only speak for Victoria, if your in the city with a base setup you'll hear things on almost every channel. Once you hit the rural areas such as Portland, Hamilton, Warrnambool you would find only three at the most being used, and you don't get the idiots on there as you do in the city. So to be honest I think this will benefit those in the city as opposed to the country.

 

[commscanaus]

It seems like a good idea to me, at least in the city area's where we get everything from construction sites to hot air balloons on the UHF 40.

It will be a bit easier to find a quieter channel, and with careful use of CTCSS/DCS it should prove to be less congested.

The "new" equipment would have to be manufactured better, given that 12.5Khz spacings require a tighter front end.
It would render plenty of existing transceivers (those for 25khz spacing) useless for the new 80 channels and the new radio's would bleed through on them too.

Many newer sets like the Icom IC-400PRO and many of the GME's will do 80 channels easily with a quick re-program.
Thankfully, these sorts of radio's have commercial specs and will perform well on 12.5khz spacing.

It reminds of when 27Mhz got the full 40 channels- heaps of 18 and 23 channel sets became boat anchors overnight!

As far as rural area's go- they can get by with the existing equipment and upgrade if required. Not everyone will be thrilled about spending $400 on a new set if they don't see the need.

Commscanaus.

 

[Comint]

This has been getting alot of discussion between comms enthusiasts:

And spreading a lot of mis-information.

The actual final document only proposes an additional 20 (12.5 kHz) channels (for a total of 60) interleaved between existing Simplex channels, which will be changed to 12.5 kHz bandwidth. Repeater frequencies, and the two Data channels, will remain 25 kHz bandwidth.

--
Comint

 

[BaLa]

I was going to post, that there is no such thing,

Then I realized this was the Au forum

 

[IMBE]

I do believe we are in need of the 80 channel conversion because here in SA the UHFCB is congested with IQless knitwits, neanderthaul truckers and inconsiderate cheapskate busineses who are too cheap to approach acma and pay $8XX for a private frequency to use. i believe the 80 channel conversion will work well for a time (until idiot busineses and truckers get all the new channels) and most (decent) radios these days are capable of doing the 12.5 k narrowband . I think the slopy unorganised 60 channel conversion plants are utter rubbish and are what i expect for a ACMA WHITEHORSE GOOSE to come up with . considering they are trying to change the whole uhf band to narrow 12.5, some channels 25 khz and some 12.5 khz is just a joke but you know how our australian government does things...completley arseup . the 80 channel plan is alot more logical .12.5 k steps starting from 476.425 ending at 477.4000 would be very neat . Most smart arses already have all the half channels anyway and use them in narrowband mode regularly to escape the twits and pie carts .I do believe it will be in major benefit for anyone who uses the uhf citizens band for general conversation around the city .

 

[Ramjet555]

Proposed Channels

I predict a revival, its still a FREE form of wireless communication, that has features
not found on mobile phone.

Newer radios will do a combination of CB and business channels.

Expect a lot of people to have radios with hundreds of channels, for all their business contacts
with their own freqs.

The smaller channel separation will not be a problem, good radios can handle it.

What is needed is more power, 5 watts just does not cut it.

My kenwood Tk-880 feeds 5 watts, direct into a high gain antenna.
If I need the extra range, I just activate a switch and the 5 watts jumps to 180
when i key the mike.

now, once more people get some real power, which is guaranteed to happen, those signals will go further and the need for more channels will obviously increase.

That's when those with brains will opt for other solutions to stay ahead of the rabble.

 

[huntervalleyscanning]

I think that a 80 channel uhf cb radio system might be a great idea. It would most certainly free up alot of channels and obviously less congestion on the airwaves. It would be kind of like the marine channels being aound the 88 channels. I'm all for it.