What UHF Radio Channel Do You Use? - [ The Channel I Use Is ]

[@Wayne-Pr]

Well another great video Timbo & on my favorite subject, communications & in particular UHF. 😊 So 1st things 1st one thing to be very aware of when picking or useing what seems or sounds like a clear channel is that a lot of communities through out the Vic & NSW high country as well as outback NSW often use a dedicated UHF channel for all their community comms including safety both for farming & during the fire season, between Buffalo & Wang there is a large farming community of approx 30 residents where I service a Telstra tower that use Chnl 26 for their community channel & have done so since UHF was a thing, every farm ute, farm house and portable radio is on 26, like wise I also service a tower in the Barrington tops in the NSW high country whete the local cimmunity use Chnl 12 for their community chnl. Just about every homestead through out ourback NSW has its own "Homestead" channel. Best to always come up on your chosen chnl, key up & ask a couple of times " is this channel in use pls ", if you do get an answer then at least you'll know, of you don't get an answer then you are good to go, this may change of course during your trip if you were originally out of range of to start with but come into range of as you travel through out your trip. There are many communities through out Vic & NSW that also have their own UHF community channel so just worth checking in advance by coming up & asking if the channel is free or in use. Re road works sites, I work with a lot of traffic controllers & in some cases road crews that will use a UHF channel, in a lot of situations this channel will be clearly advertised on approach to the road works sites pls be kind & professional to then they have a very difficult, serious & in some cases a very dangerous job to do & the last thing that they need is abuse because they are holding up the traffic or people chit chatting on the road works chnl you could also be talking over a very important transmission if they are directing a large truck or similar into position, 2 x places where this is on going at the moment is the Kings highway between Braidwood & Nelligen & in Nelligen its self where channel 20 UHF is being used for road works & safety comms I've just come back from doing a Telstra tower in Nelligen in S/E NSW. So a couple of quick pickups from tonights video the comment that Chnl 9 is the emergency channel for 27 was referring to the old 27Mhz HF CB Radio which no one really uses now Chnl 9 was the old emergency Channel but it is no longer monitored by anyone anymore as 27Mhz is for all intensive purposes no longer used its all only UHF now as you know this is my profession & I cannot remember the last time that I met someone still running 27Mhz CB in their vehicle I pulled mine out at least 20 yrs ago now. Re Chnl 40 the road "truckies" chnl "🤥WARNING🤥" Chnl 40 is NOT a family or child friendly channel the language can tend to fly thick & fast very quickly these are Truckies that we are talking about so you need to be very conscious of women folk & young children in ears shot on both Chnl 40 around the rest of Aust & chnl 29 on the NSW/QLD North South M1. As far as "Chatting" on Chnl 40 ( the Road "Truckies" Channel ) the professional etiquette is if you are going to tie up the channel for any more than 1 or 2 mins is to go down 1 chnl, during the holiday season the once or twice a yearers who get on 40 & chat away & are very quickly "asked" (code for told) to move to another channel, even the truckies them selves if they are going to chat about any more than the immediate will always go down 1 channel & have a chat, generally the longest conversation you'll hear on 40 is 2 mins max & usually closer to a min to a min & a half just drivers quickly saying hi to each other, quickly exchanging details for each other about the trip ahead, saying bye bye, safe trip & its done. In NSW ( but not in Vic im not sure why) you'll also regularly hear the road marking crews on 40 or ( 29 on the NSW section of the M1) advising of lane closures & speed reductions it was on all last week south bound on approach to the tucker box @ Gundagai. One of the other important things to look out for & listen out for on our Highways is wide, heavy escorted loads these are announced on Chnls 40 & (29 from Syd to Bris on the M1) to give people plenty of safe time to react. Then of course you have the norm, road closures & detours due to events like accidents, flooding & fires as well as tye good old ( Flash for Ca$h) $peex cameras & radars. If you are not regular to the Hume also known as sesame street you'll often hear trucks on chnl 40 talking about places like "The Dipper, Aeroplane, Conroys, Wagga Hill, Tumba Hill, Benalla Mansfield, Grasstree, the BBQ & so on, these arnt actually places on a map or a GPS but places on the Hume that have truck nik names where as sure as day follows night you'll regularly find $peed checking & sometimes more in progress. With my job as a snr comms network engineer for our 3 x telcos I'm constantly on the highways through out Vic & NSW I've been to Yass & Canberra & back 3 times in the last month. Yep 29 & not 40 is the highway channel on the M1 ( used to be called the Pacific) Channel 29 is the Highway "Truckies" channel on the M1 Pacific Motorway and Highway between Tweed Heads and Sydney in NSW. It is used due to one transport company who travelled this road who always used this channel. Other drivers switched from 40 to 29 to talk to them & it became a custom. This custom lives on today even though the original transport company no longer exists. Users should be aware that UHF CB channels 1 to 8 & 41 to 48 are repeater output chnls & 31 to 38 & chnls 71 to 78 are the 'input' channels for repeaters. Users should avoid using these channels to avoid interfering with repeaters. If a repeater is to be used, switch to Chnls 1-8 or Chnls 41-48 & press the duplex button on your radio. The UHF repeater lists on on the net are widely out of date & should not be relied on as accurate or up to date. Besides the channels mentioned tonight Chnl 11 is assigned the UHF "Call Chnl" where people tend to sit & listen for other UHF'rs to come up on the channel looking for someone to chat to. On the "old" 40 channel system the following channels are classed by ACMA to be general chit chat channels. Chnls 12 - 17 Chnls 19 - 21 Chnls 24 - 28 & chnls 30 & 39 On the 80 channel system add asigned chat channels Chnls 49 - 60 Chnls 64 - 70 & Chnls 79 & 80 Thats about it the rest of the channels were covered well tonight. A quick tech tip for anyone who has or wh is thunking about or intending to install Cel-Fi mobile repeater in their 4x4 your external Cel-Fi antenna needs to be at least 300mm from your UHF CB antenna to avoid interference, your internal antenna should NEVER be tucked up under your dash as it can interfer with your vehicles electronics & computers, it should be in the back of the vehicle at the oppisite side or corner of your external Cel-Fi antenna. I'm in the middle of making both a paper version & a Google maps version of all AM & FM radio station frequencies, transmitter locations & call signs including their coverage for all of Vic & NSW which i'll be more than happy to share when I'm finished. I think that's all. 😁 Happy to offer any free help or advice on anything comms related to anyone on Tims channel.🤗 Regards Wayne.😉

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Wayne, Yeah mate, thought this topic would be well suited for what you do. Thanks heaps for your very detailed reply. I greatly appreciate your feedback. Cheers Tim.

[@Wayne-Pr]

Pleasure @@timbates4wdadventures happy to feed back & add to content where ever I can to help improve the overall work that you do for us all especially when its right up my alley😁 my wife said Tim will just becsitting back & waiting for your detailed reply, knowing that as sure as day follows night there will be a detailed reply coming from me when the video is about or related to communications 🤗. She wants to see more trip & camping videos, she loves them, yours & 4XOverland with Andrew synther-White are the only 2 youtube channels that she enjoys watching with me.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

@@Wayne-Pr thanks again mate. Solo video and another 4wd trip video coming in the next few weeks.

[@Australianzwayne]

Really handy info mate. Great to learn in minutes what has taken you years. Thank you cobber.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day mate, I'm glad you found the video helpful. Interesting topic thats for sure. Thanks mate for your feedback. Cheers Tim.

[@kevinbarker359]

Looking forward to seeing again on Sunday.. great time with everyone. Big kev. From northern thailand ..I am excited

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Big Kev Lol Thanks mate for checking out the video. The live chats are a good time with all. Thanks for your reply mate and dropping in from Thailand. Cheers Tim.

[@jasegonebush1883]

Nice work from FNQ. First time I logged on to your live streaming. It's bloody cold up here 2. Woke up this morning and it was only 20°c 😆😅🤣😅👍🤠

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday Jase, Thanks mate for dropping in from FNQ. Haha it’s about 20 degrees south of your temp down here. Lol. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.

[@hodzy4x4]

Great video/chat Tim, as always. I personally use a Uniden unit 9080 model in the GU. 80 channels and has some nice features to squelch a local group channel. A repeat function in case you didn't hear last message etc. It has a kind of a priority channel function. Where I can be on Ch10 in a convoy, while in the background I can get it to scan my choice of channels, like 5, 35, 40, or whatever I choose which is nice. As for personal choice in the High Country always stick to 10 unless area is busy with a few convoys, but generally with a 6dB whip, the range is localized due to the hills and it works perfect. Cheers mate.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day mate, That sounds like a great UHF that you have. That's handy being on your convoy channel and being able to scan other channels. Great feature mate. Thanks a lot for your reply and feedback. Cheers Tim.

[@bradkay2710]

I've got a gme 330c on the way for the fortuner and just picked up a little gme tx677 hand held thanks for the channel list well done m8

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday mate, Good selection on those two radios. Hand held is very handy. Thanks for your reply. Cheers Tim.

[@jiffijoff9780]

Ah to bad mate, missed the chat today. As always dropping in from Germany enjoying the weekly Aussie 4WD chat. All the best and have great weekend there. 🍻🍻👍

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day mate, Thats cool if you missed the live chat, maybe next time. Thanks mate for your reply and dropping in from Germany. Take care mate. Cheers Tim.

[@peterlion690]

Another great topic Tim Uhf essential off road requirement for safety hearing who else is close ie Log trucks other groups etc I have my hard wired on open scan and a good hand held for group talk also handy to have the handheld for observer driver Comm’s when winching recovering another vehicle use Gme myself Aussie made thanks for you insights as usual Tim Enjoy the snow will be heaps around for a short while this week

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday Peter, Yeah it’s handy tuning into log trucks etc. it’s good to know if they are around. Gives you time to get out of there way. Top idea having a uhf on scan. I do the same. Thanks mate for your feedback. Cheers Tim.

[@Tourn4x4]

Icom, GME & Uniden are the good radios, Ch 40 most of Australia Truck Channel Ch 29 Sydney to Gold Coast Truck Channel Ch 18 Caravans 5 & 35 Emergency channels 1-8 & 31-38 repeater Channels.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday Jerry, Great feedback on those channels mate. Thanks for that. Cheers Tim

[@DAMIENKENT-zg3vn]

Brilliant thanks for the heads up greatly appreciated 👍👍

[@MicksGarageDarts]

Just caught up as I missed the first 15 minutes or so last night. Great to see you on a live again mate and great topic. As mentioned in the Live I like 12 or 68 depending if everyone has an 80 channel unit or not. As someone mentioned early on 29 is Trucks on the East Coast of NSW and a great channel to tune in. Forestry Corp tend to use 24 at least around the Central Coast/Watagans and motorists should always tune in and let the trucks know their location. 27 is common for Road Works around here too. Many of the local 4wders here tend to use 19 as one of the FB Groups has tried to claim that as their channel. I personally have 2 units in my Pajero, 1 for trucks & logging and the other for scan or convoy. UHF Antenna would be a good topic too, Ive found it can make a big difference.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Mick, Thanks mate for dropping in during the live last night. It is an interesting topic. Some really good info about other channels to tune into while travelling around Australia. Great idea having a second UHF so you can scan around other channel like Ch40 for trucks and log trucks. Always a good thing knowing if they are coming in your direction. Thanks a lot mate for your detailed reply. Cheers Tim.

[@gillianford5780]

Thanks Tim cheers Fordy

[@timbates4wdadventures]

No worries Fordy. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim

[@moorabinda]

What a top bloke! 👍🏽

[@w.bridges9118]

29 on the highway between Sydney and Brisbane coast road.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Yeah righto mate. Handy to know. Cheers Tim

[@richnegs5828]

Hey Tim, thanks for the vid but when you were talking about snow chains, with chains on is binding still a problem in 4x4? Thanks for all you pass on to us mate. 👍🇦🇺

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday Rich, Thanks a lot mare. No, no binding with chains on in 4wd. I have a new video about how to fit snow chains and a few tips if you haven’t watched that one. Thanks for your feedback mate. Cheers Tim

[@The_Stoic_PhilosopherAU]

Hi Tim, sorry I missed the live stream. I’m watching it now…

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday mate, That’s cool. Hope you enjoy this live chat. See you next time maybe. Cheers Tim.

[@The_Stoic_PhilosopherAU]

@@timbates4wdadventures For sure mate

[@timbates4wdadventures]

@@The_Stoic_PhilosopherAU thanks mate

[@btrocketry3736]

Can you use ch5-35on duplex..is this available in case your stuck somewhere in the bush or the dessert

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Correct mate. They are the National emergency UHF channels and should never be transmitted on unless for emergency. Cheers Tim.

[@mattkearney11]

Getting mixed up between icom and oricom I rekon mate

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Yeah that may have been the case mate. Cheers Tim.

[@AndrewLester-r3l]

Lots of handy programs on dumb phones to find Repeaters and handy frequency info to set a radio channel.

[@Wayne-Pr]

Streaming, Pod cast & a Drone. Streaming on UHF is not only illegal but would not be practically or technically possible or work due to the short range of UHF, especially from Tims location. However a pod cast that we can download & legally listen to whilst driving would be a great idea especially for the Sun night chats. Timbo, yoy need to get a CASA RePL & add a DJI drone the chanhel for some of the places you go, the views would be spectacular. 18 months ago got my CASA RePL & have just got a shinny new DJI Drone which i'll be using for work. Rgs Wayne.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Wayne, Doing pod casts would be a good thing. I should look more into them. Drones, this is another hot topic. Im not sure if you're aware of the regulations with flying a drone in a National Park. You aren't meant to fly a drone in a National Park, licensed or not. I had a Phantom 4 Pro about 3 years ago. Sold it due to the issues with Drones and NPs. I know everyone fly's them in a NP. I dont need the hassles from NP managements. Thanks for the reply and feedback mate. Cheers Tim.

[@Wayne-Pr]

G'day @@timbates4wdadventures so I am both an Aircraft & a Drone commercial pilot so yes I am aware of the "Made up" rules that are as useless as the paper they are written on, State governments & in particular state government depts like Parks Vic have absolutely no authority to stop you in regards to a licenced federal activity Ive been questioned heaps of times & I just show them my licence & tell them that if they have a problem go & take it up with Casa, if they persist I ask them to show me the legislation saying that I cannot fly ( which of course they can't, then I show them the leglislation showing that I can fly ) needless to say either way I never hear any more about it, they just prey on the fact that as a licenced drone pilot that you don't know your rights, the federal law clearly says that ONLY Casa controls the airspace in Aust as far as flying is concerned and that Airspace starts 1 foot about you at any point in Aust there are heaps of youtubers doing drone footage. Yes you have to get a licence & I totally agree with & fully support that, but thats not all that hard & just like getting a vehicle licence wheather that be car or truck once you have that & as ling as you obey the conditions that come with that then no one can tell you what to do or how to do it. It would be like the Victorian government or a Victorian government dept telling an aircraft that they cannot fly into a Victorian airport or airfield. Its all huff & puff, get your licence, get your drone, obey Casa's rules & away you go.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

@@Wayne-Pr mmm very interesting feedback mate. Not sure what’s involved with getting a drone license or costs. Thanks again for your detailed reply.

[@Wayne-Pr]

I xan send you some info off line to have a look at@@timbates4wdadventures if you would like its pretty easy for non commercial operators. ( youtube is considered hobby / non commercial ). I've got a huge wealth of information that I would be more than happt to freely supply.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

@@Wayne-Pr sounds interesting reading mate. I had a drone and sold it due to NP issues.

[@jaygus7297]

Mainly touring solo mostly just have on scan

[@timbates4wdadventures]

I’m the same mate. On scan is the go for picking up anyone coming in your direction. Thanks for your feedback. Cheers Tim

[@damagecase3271]

G'day, I was wondering what antena you use for the high country, 6dbi?

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day mate, Sorry mate, i dont really know what rating my antenna is. Just the standard antenna that came with the uhf radio if that helps. Cheers Tim Cheers Tim.

[@damagecase3271]

@@timbates4wdadventures no stress mate, cheers anyway 👍 what brand do you use ?

[@timbates4wdadventures]

@@damagecase3271 I’ve got an Oricom mate. Had it about three years. Been no worries. Thanks mate.

[@chiphood2966]

Late to the party as i was in wood's point. Watching now

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Chip, No worries mate. Cheers Tim.

[@AndrewLester-r3l]

If you blokes want to get on top of hills and see what range you could get yourself a 2Mtr or 70Cm Beam antenna which is directional and boosts signal shitloads.

[@debdunn27]

What is the channel used by fire, ambulance and police please

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Not sure on that one Cheers Tim

[@limitlessadventures7626]

Hey buddy would you mind if I share this vid on Facebook mate as a few of the guys are not sure of what to and what not to

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day mate, Absolutely you can share that video mate. Thanks a lot for that. A good topic that will help people out about UHF channels. Thanks again. Cheers Tim.

[@limitlessadventures7626]

Thanks mate just shared on my Facebook page as your vid was super informative

[@timbates4wdadventures]

@@limitlessadventures7626 Thanks mate. i greatly appreciate it. Hope others find it helpful.

[@jasonchitts377]

Uniden been around for ages

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday Jason, They have mate. Cheers Tim.

[@mrdonny3501]

4 XXXX is the easy was to spell BEER for Queenslanders. LOL

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Haha lol Cheers Tim.

[@mrdonny3501]

You got to try my bread butter pudding mate

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Sounds nice mate. Cheers Tim

[@AndrewLester-r3l]

Buy a radio outside of Australia because they don't block any frequencies. I have radio's that can pick up and talk on most from 88Mhz to 999Mhz so can listen to anything using those frequencies. No such thing as channels on these radio's. Amateur operators avoid CB frequencies so you'll never be talking to me LOL

[@robswoodworking4380]

ch 40 all over oz

[@timbates4wdadventures]

I use ch40 a lot when out on the highway. It’s handy hearing what the truckies know. Cheers Tim

[@SHOCKcustoms]

16 batesy

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday mate, Yeah cool mate. Thanks for your reply. Cheers Tim

[@theozBandit]

AM/SSB CBs! 5watt UHFs are gutless POS! For emergencies, help and decent 30km+ communications...you have to get an AM/SSB CB which is 15watt! All our crew from Perth to Exmouth, across the Nullabour, old truckies, and all serious 4x4ers out there now use AM/SSB CBs... Our UHF we leave on scan and only use in small convoys and when winching... When back on roads the main AM/SSB Cb is always booming out others from all over Australia...

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Great feedback mate. But, I've never heard of the comms system you guys are using. Sounds like a good set up. Cheers Tim.

[@trep17mag]

Ch 40 is the Australia wide road channel. No yakking, keep your transmissions brief. Ch 1-8 are for Repeater use only. Ch 9-30 are simplex chat channels. Ch 31-38 are Repeater input channels (do not use). Ch 39 is simplex chat. Ch 41-48 are for Repeater use only. Ch 49-70 are simplex chat channels. Ch 71-78 are Repeater input channels. Ch 79 & 80 are simplex chat channels. Ch 10, 18 & 29 are NOT special use channels, they can be used by anyone for general chat use. If anyone on ch 10, 18 or 29 tells you to get off, tell them to get stuffed!

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Great feedback mate. Cheers Tim.

[@trep17mag]

@@timbates4wdadventures *Only thing is in Vic & SA we don't recognise this ch 29 highway thing and neither does the ACMA. Cheers.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

@@trep17mag cool, thanks mate.

[@AndrewLester-r3l]

UHF has limited distance range. Older 27Mhz CB's are far better range, get a PLL chip one to convert it to 255 channel frequencies. Then you can talk on channels that don't exist on a 40 or Australian 18 channel radio. Plus SSB you can talk interstate or other countries. Better still buy a UHF/VHF transceiver can buy the super cheap ching chong brand Baofeng for $20 new but only the legal wattage of 5 Watt. Buy a mobile verson of multiple band UHF/VHF and normally they are standard of 50 to 75 Watt. Stuff ACMA laws nobody will know you use extra power until you tell them. Hicks in the sticks can get a heap better range.. Also get the best antenna possible doubles your transmitting range.