UHF CB
Encyclopedia
UHF CB is a class-licensed (meaning licence fee free use for most users) citizen's band radio
service authorised by the governments of Australia
and New Zealand
in the UHF 477 MHz band. UHF CB provides 77 channels
, including 32 channels (16 output, 16 input) allocated to repeater stations. It is similar in concept to the 40 channels used in United States' HF
CB allocation, which is also available in Australia and New Zealand.
User equipment designs are similar to commercial land mobile two-way radio
. Except for repeater stations and stations using the data-only channel, the maximum legal output power is 5 Watt
s. External antennas are permitted and common commercially manufactured antennas have gain as high as 12dB. Handheld transceivers (walkie talkies) are permitted and have transmit power from 500 mW to 5W (full legal power) and are relatively cheap compared to full-sized transceivers.
Other similar personal radio services used in other countries do not share the same band plan, power output, channels etc. as UHF CB. It is usually illegal to use these systems in Australia and New Zealand because they will interfere with other licensed services. Care must be taken with radios imported from overseas to ensure they comply with local regulations.
) allows an individual radio to call another radio using a sequence of tones, usually presented to the user as a series of 5 numbers. UHF CB radios can be set to be completely silent until they receive a series of tones matching a pre-programed sequence. Radios which have this feature usually indicate that a call has been received by emitting a number of beeps and by opening the squelch.
) allows a group of radios set with the same tone to converse on a channel without hearing other radios using that channel. CTCSS can be used to silence a radio until another radio with the same tone transmits. This allows monitoring of a channel for transmissions from radios set with the same tone without hearing other conversations that use different or even no tone.
The use of CTCSS is not permitted on UHF CB repeaters.
extend the range of transmission by receiving and automatically rebroadcasting a transmission using an antenna located in a high location, normally the top of a mountain, tall building or radio tower. Sometimes a transmission range of over 100 kilometres can be achieved through the use of a repeater. The repeater function on a UHF CB radio is normally referred to as 'duplex' or a 'range extender' function.
- Channel 5 and 35: designated emergency channels are not to be used except in an emergency.
- Channel 11: designated 'Call Channel' and is only to be used for initiating calls.
- Channel 22 and 23: only to be used for data transmissions.
- Channel 61, 62 and 63: are not to be used.
Some UHF CB channels are used by consensus for specific purposes. These channels are:
- Channel 10: used Australia wide as the '4WD and Convoy Channel'.
- Channel 18: used Australia wide as the 'Caravan and Campers Channel'.
- Channel 29: used as the 'Road Channel' on the Pacific Highway between Brisbane and Sydney (see Channel 40).
- Channel 40: used Australia wide as the 'Road Channel'. Extensively used by truck drivers for safety communications and traffic updates however due to interference between the New England and Pacific Highway communications, truck drivers between Sydney and Brisbane use channel 29 if they are travelling via the Pacific Highway.
Users should be aware that UHF CB channels 31 to 38 and 71 to 78 are the 'input' channels for repeaters on channels 1 to 8 and 41 to 48, and should check to see if there is a repeater in use on that channel before using an 'input' channel for general communications.
It is proposed that equipment using 25 KHz spacing (40 channel equipment) be phased out by 2017. The ACMA plan to review this policy in 2016.
The New Zealand Governments Ministry Of Commerce introduced the UHF PRS in 1996 to allow for freely available short-range wireless communications outside the 26 MHz CB band. The UHF (but not VHF) band was selected due to its ability to withstand atmospheric and groundwave interference unlike the existing 26 MHz allocation.
NZ PRS channels
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
service authorised by the governments of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
in the UHF 477 MHz band. UHF CB provides 77 channels
Channel (communications)
In telecommunications and computer networking, a communication channel, or channel, refers either to a physical transmission medium such as a wire, or to a logical connection over a multiplexed medium such as a radio channel...
, including 32 channels (16 output, 16 input) allocated to repeater stations. It is similar in concept to the 40 channels used in United States' HF
High frequency
High frequency radio frequencies are between 3 and 30 MHz. Also known as the decameter band or decameter wave as the wavelengths range from one to ten decameters . Frequencies immediately below HF are denoted Medium-frequency , and the next higher frequencies are known as Very high frequency...
CB allocation, which is also available in Australia and New Zealand.
User equipment designs are similar to commercial land mobile two-way radio
Two-way radio
A two-way radio is a radio that can both transmit and receive , unlike a broadcast receiver which only receives content. The term refers to a personal radio transceiver that allows the operator to have a two-way conversation with other similar radios operating on the same radio frequency...
. Except for repeater stations and stations using the data-only channel, the maximum legal output power is 5 Watt
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
s. External antennas are permitted and common commercially manufactured antennas have gain as high as 12dB. Handheld transceivers (walkie talkies) are permitted and have transmit power from 500 mW to 5W (full legal power) and are relatively cheap compared to full-sized transceivers.
Other similar personal radio services used in other countries do not share the same band plan, power output, channels etc. as UHF CB. It is usually illegal to use these systems in Australia and New Zealand because they will interfere with other licensed services. Care must be taken with radios imported from overseas to ensure they comply with local regulations.
Selective calling (Selcall)
Selective calling (SelcallSelcall
Selcall is a type of squelch protocol used in radio communications systems, in which transmissions include a brief burst of sequential audio tones...
) allows an individual radio to call another radio using a sequence of tones, usually presented to the user as a series of 5 numbers. UHF CB radios can be set to be completely silent until they receive a series of tones matching a pre-programed sequence. Radios which have this feature usually indicate that a call has been received by emitting a number of beeps and by opening the squelch.
Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS)
Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSSCTCSS
In telecommunications, Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System or CTCSS is a circuit that is used to reduce the annoyance of listening to other users on a shared two-way radio communications channel. It is sometimes called tone squelch...
) allows a group of radios set with the same tone to converse on a channel without hearing other radios using that channel. CTCSS can be used to silence a radio until another radio with the same tone transmits. This allows monitoring of a channel for transmissions from radios set with the same tone without hearing other conversations that use different or even no tone.
The use of CTCSS is not permitted on UHF CB repeaters.
Repeaters
RepeatersRadio repeater
A radio repeater is a combination of a radio receiver and a radio transmitter that receives a weak or low-level signal and retransmits it at a higher level or higher power, so that the signal can cover longer distances without degradation. This article refers to professional, commercial, and...
extend the range of transmission by receiving and automatically rebroadcasting a transmission using an antenna located in a high location, normally the top of a mountain, tall building or radio tower. Sometimes a transmission range of over 100 kilometres can be achieved through the use of a repeater. The repeater function on a UHF CB radio is normally referred to as 'duplex' or a 'range extender' function.
Channel use
The use of some UHF CB channels is restricted under the Class Licence. The restricted channels are as follows:- Channel 5 and 35: designated emergency channels are not to be used except in an emergency.
- Channel 11: designated 'Call Channel' and is only to be used for initiating calls.
- Channel 22 and 23: only to be used for data transmissions.
- Channel 61, 62 and 63: are not to be used.
Some UHF CB channels are used by consensus for specific purposes. These channels are:
- Channel 10: used Australia wide as the '4WD and Convoy Channel'.
- Channel 18: used Australia wide as the 'Caravan and Campers Channel'.
- Channel 29: used as the 'Road Channel' on the Pacific Highway between Brisbane and Sydney (see Channel 40).
- Channel 40: used Australia wide as the 'Road Channel'. Extensively used by truck drivers for safety communications and traffic updates however due to interference between the New England and Pacific Highway communications, truck drivers between Sydney and Brisbane use channel 29 if they are travelling via the Pacific Highway.
Users should be aware that UHF CB channels 31 to 38 and 71 to 78 are the 'input' channels for repeaters on channels 1 to 8 and 41 to 48, and should check to see if there is a repeater in use on that channel before using an 'input' channel for general communications.
Expansion to 80 channels
On 27 May 2011 the channel spacing on UHF CB was changed, allowing the band to expand from 40 channels to 80 channels. Due to retrictions in place on the band, the expansion effectly allows the use of 77 channels, as channels 61, 62 and 63 are reserved for future use.Current UHF CB band plan (80 Channels)
| Channel Name: | Frequency: | Purpose: | Frequency Spacing: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel 1 | 476.4250 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 2 | 476.4500 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 3 | 476.4750 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 4 | 476.5000 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 5 | 476.5250 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) ('Emergency Use' only) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 6 | 476.5500 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 7 | 476.5750 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 8 | 476.6000 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 9 | 476.6250 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 10 | 476.6500 | Simplex (considered as the '4WD and Convoy Channel') | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 11 | 476.6750 | Simplex ('Call Channel' only) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 12 | 476.7000 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 13 | 476.7250 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 14 | 476.7500 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 15 | 476.7750 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 16 | 476.8000 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 17 | 476.8250 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 18 | 476.8500 | Simplex (considered as the 'Caravan and Campers Channel') | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 19 | 476.8750 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 20 | 476.9000 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 21 | 476.9250 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 22 | 476.9500 | Simplex (Data Only, No Voice - No Packet) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 23 | 476.9750 | Simplex (Data Only (No Voice - No Packet) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 24 | 477.0000 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 25 | 477.0250 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 26 | 477.0500 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 27 | 477.0750 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 28 | 477.1000 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 29 | 477.1250 | Simplex (considered as the 'Road Channel' for the Pacific Highway) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 30 | 477.1500 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 31 | 477.1750 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 32 | 477.2000 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 33 | 477.2250 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 34 | 477.2500 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 35 | 477.2750 | Simplex Repeater Input ('Emergency Use' only) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 36 | 477.3000 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 37 | 477.3250 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 38 | 477.3500 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 39 | 477.3750 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 40 | 477.4000 | Simplex (considered as the 'Road Channel') | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 41 | 476.4375 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 42 | 476.4625 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 43 | 476.4875 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 44 | 476.5125 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 45 | 476.5375 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 46 | 476.5625 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 47 | 476.5875 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 48 | 476.6125 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 49 | 476.6375 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 50 | 476.6625 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 51 | 476.6875 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 52 | 476.7125 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 53 | 476.7375 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 54 | 476.7625 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 55 | 476.7875 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 56 | 476.8125 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 57 | 476.8375 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 58 | 476.8625 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 59 | 476.8875 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 60 | 476.9125 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 61 | - | Reserved for Future Expansion | |
| Channel 62 | - | Reserved for Future Expansion | |
| Channel 63 | - | Reserved for Future Expansion | |
| Channel 64 | 477.0125 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 65 | 477.0375 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 66 | 477.0625 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 67 | 477.0875 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 68 | 477.1125 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 69 | 477.1375 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 70 | 477.1625 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 71 | 477.1875 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 72 | 477.2125 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 73 | 477.2375 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 74 | 477.2625 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 75 | 477.2875 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 76 | 477.3125 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 77 | 477.3375 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 78 | 477.3625 | Simplex Repeater Input | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 79 | 477.3875 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Channel 80 | 477.4125 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 12.5 KHz |
Previous UHF CB band plan (40 channels)
| Channel Name: | Frequency: | Purpose: | Frequency Spacing: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel 1 | 476.4250 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 2 | 476.4500 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 3 | 476.4750 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 4 | 476.5000 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 5 | 476.5250 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) ('Emergency Use' only) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 6 | 476.5500 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 7 | 476.5750 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 8 | 476.6000 | Repeater Channel (Press DUPLEX to use) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 9 | 476.6250 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 10 | 476.6500 | Simplex (considered as the '4WD and Convoy Channel') | 25 KHz |
| Channel 11 | 476.6750 | Simplex ('Call Channel' only) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 12 | 476.7000 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 13 | 476.7250 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 14 | 476.7500 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 15 | 476.7750 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 16 | 476.8000 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 17 | 476.8250 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 18 | 476.8500 | Simplex (considered as the 'Caravan and Campers Channel') | 25 KHz |
| Channel 19 | 476.8750 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 20 | 476.9000 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 21 | 476.9250 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 22 | 476.9500 | Simplex (Data Only, No Voice - No Packet) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 23 | 476.9750 | Simplex (Data Only (No Voice - No Packet) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 24 | 477.0000 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 25 | 477.0250 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 26 | 477.0500 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 27 | 477.0750 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 28 | 477.1000 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 29 | 477.1250 | Simplex (considered as the 'Road Channel' for the Pacific Highway) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 30 | 477.1500 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 31 | 477.1750 | Simplex Repeater Input | 25 KHz |
| Channel 32 | 477.2000 | Simplex Repeater Input | 25 KHz |
| Channel 33 | 477.2250 | Simplex Repeater Input | 25 KHz |
| Channel 34 | 477.2500 | Simplex Repeater Input | 25 KHz |
| Channel 35 | 477.2750 | Simplex Repeater Input ('Emergency Use' only) | 25 KHz |
| Channel 36 | 477.3000 | Simplex Repeater Input | 25 KHz |
| Channel 37 | 477.3250 | Simplex Repeater Input | 25 KHz |
| Channel 38 | 477.3500 | Simplex Repeater Input | 25 KHz |
| Channel 39 | 477.3750 | Simplex = General Chat Channel | 25 KHz |
| Channel 40 | 477.4000 | Simplex (considered as the 'Road Channel') | 25 KHz |
It is proposed that equipment using 25 KHz spacing (40 channel equipment) be phased out by 2017. The ACMA plan to review this policy in 2016.
New Zealand
New Zealand offers a similar PRS service. New Zealand's Personal Radio Service (PRS) and 26 MHz Citizens Band radio are very similar to Australia's UHF Citizens Band and 27 MHz Citizens Band services.The New Zealand Governments Ministry Of Commerce introduced the UHF PRS in 1996 to allow for freely available short-range wireless communications outside the 26 MHz CB band. The UHF (but not VHF) band was selected due to its ability to withstand atmospheric and groundwave interference unlike the existing 26 MHz allocation.
NZ PRS channels
- http://www.uhfcb.com.au/NZ-PRS-Channels.php
See also
- UHF CB Australia - UHF CB News, Information, Repeater Locations & Sales. UHF CB Australia Supporting and expanding the UHF CB network
- VMB4 NewcastleVMB4VMB4 is a UHF Citizens' Band Radio Repeater located one kilometre from Mount Sugarloaf on the Sugarloaf Range in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. VMB4 is Newcastle's fourth repeater to go to air in the Hunter Valley....
- An example of an Australian UHF CB Repeater - Tropinet's UHF CB Repeater Listing - A database of UHF CB Repeaters Australia-wide.
External links
- UHF CB license conditions determination - The Australian official license under which UHF CB operates
- Australian Communications and Media Authority - The Australian regulator of the radiofrequency spectrum
- Citizen Band Radio Service (CBRS / CB Radio) or Public / Personal Radio Service (PRS) — Radio Spectrum Management Group (RSM), part of the New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - The New Zealand regulator of the radio frequency spectrum
- UHF CB Australia website or Tropinet UHF CB Repeater Database for a listing of repeaters in Australia.