UHF CB

Last updated • 7 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

UHF CB is a class-licensed citizen's band radio service authorised by the governments of Australia, Europe, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Vanuatu, and in the PMR446, UHF 477 MHz band. [1] UHF CB provides 77 channels, including 32 channels (16 output, 16 input) allocated to repeater stations. It is similar in concept to the General Mobile Radio Service in the United States.

Contents

Equipment

User equipment designs are similar to commercial land mobile two-way radio, except the maximum legal output power is 5 Watts. External antennas are permitted and commercially manufactured antennas have gains as high as 12 dB. Handheld transceivers (handy talkies) are permitted and have transmit power from 500 mW to 5 W (full legal power) and are relatively cheap compared to full-sized transceivers. Operation in the band is restricted to modes F3E and G3E (FM or PM of analogue voice telephony) except for channels 22 and 23, which are data modes only. [2]

Licensing

Class licensing means that users do not have to apply for a licence or pay a licence fee; however, they must comply with the regulations of the class licence. [3]

It is illegal to use non-standard radios purchased from overseas because they may interfere with licensed land-mobile services. This includes overseas personal radio service devices because they do not share the same band plan, power output and channels as UHF CB. Care must be taken when importing radios from overseas to ensure they comply with local regulations. Approved radios are identified by the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) label, usually found on the rear panel of the equipment. [4]

Scan

Many UHF CB radios allow the user to scan channels to find a conversation. Several different scan modes may be provided:

Open Scan scans all 80 channels to find an active conversation. Some radios allow skipping selected channels when scanning.

Group Scan scans a small number of selected channels. For example, a caravanner travelling around the country may choose to group scan Channel 40 (Road Channel), 18 (Caravan Channel) and 5 (Emergency Channel) so they will hear any conversations relating to their travels.

Priority Scan allows selection of a "priority" channel whilst scanning a handful of selected channels. This could be useful, for example, in a convoy of vehicles: convoy members can set their chosen convoy channel as a "priority" whilst scanning the designated road channel for traffic updates etc. If a convoy member speaks, the radio will switch back to the priority channel even if someone is speaking on another channel.

Selcall

Selective calling (Selcall) allows a 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-programmed 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. The popularity of selcall has dropped since the introduction of CTCSS.

CTCSS

Continuous tone coded squelch system (CTCSS) 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 or the designated emergency channels.

Repeaters

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 (60 miles) can be achieved through the use of a repeater. Repeaters are on channels 1–8 and 41–48 and the duplex button should be pressed to access the repeater. [5] All repeaters can be used by anyone, except for channel 5 repeaters, which are for emergencies only.

Signage

It is common practice to install signs at worksites, roadworks, regional highways, national parks, heavy vehicle checking stations, and on the rear of camper vans and caravans to advertise a UHF channel for communications. For example, during the widening of the M1 Pacific Motorway between Sydney and Newcastle, contractors installed "UHF 29" signs at the entry point of each worksite.

Channel use

Legally restricted channels

The following channels are legislated as a part of the ACMA UHF CB Class Licence. [2]

Channels used by consensus

The following channels are not legislated as a part of the class licence however are used for the following purposes by consensus.

Users should be aware that UHF CB channels 31 to 38 and 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 1–8 or 41–48 and press the duplex button.

UHF CB band plan

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. [8] Due to data channels 22 and 23 occupying 25 kHz bandwidth, the expansion effectively allows the use of 77 channels, as channels 61, 62 and 63 are reserved.

ACMA originally intended to make older 40 channel UHF radios on the 25 kHz spacing illegal to use from June 2017. However, in February 2017, it reversed this decision after determining that the two systems were working well alongside each other. [9]

Current UHF CB band plan (80 Channels)

General chat channels are used in simplex mode, repeater channels must be used in duplex mode. If you are not using a repeater it is recommended to choose a "general chat" channel.

Channel Name:Frequency:Purpose:Frequency Spacing:
Channel 1476.4250Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 2476.4500Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 3476.4750Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 4476.5000Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 5476.5250Emergency Repeater Output (not an emergency channel in New Zealand)12.5 kHz
Channel 6476.5500Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 7476.5750Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 8476.6000Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 9476.6250General Chat Channel (sometimes also used by firies)12.5 kHz
Channel 10476.65004WD Clubs or Convoys and National Parks. Also one-way track channel, Simpson desert channel and outback channel.12.5 kHz
Channel 11476.6750Call Channel (main trucking channel in New Zealand)12.5 kHz
Channel 12476.7000General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 13476.7250General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 14476.7500General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 15476.7750General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 16476.8000General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 17476.8250General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 18476.8500Caravanners and Campers Convoy Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 19476.8750General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 20476.9000General Chat Channel (sometimes also motorhome channel)12.5 kHz
Channel 21476.9250General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 22476.9500Telemetry and Telecommand Only (No Voice or Data)25 kHz
Channel 23476.9750Telemetry and Telecommand Only (No Voice or Data)25 kHz
Channel 24477.0000General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 25477.0250General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 26477.0500General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 27477.0750General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 28477.1000General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 29477.1250Road Safety Channel

Pacific Hwy/Mwy between Brisbane (QLD) and Sydney (NSW) and normal channel in New Zealand

12.5 kHz
Channel 30477.1500UHF CB Broadcasts, Weather etc12.5 kHz
Channel 31477.1750Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 32477.2000Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 33477.2250Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 34477.2500Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 35477.2750Emergency Repeater Input (not an emergency channel in New Zealand)12.5 kHz
Channel 36477.3000Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 37477.3250Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 38477.3500Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 39477.3750General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 40477.4000Road Safety Channel Australia Wide12.5 kHz
Channel 41476.4375Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 42476.4625Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 43476.4875Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 44476.5125Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 45476.5375Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 46476.5625Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 47476.5875Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 48476.6125Repeater Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 49476.6375General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 50476.6625General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 51476.6875General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 52476.7125General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 53476.7375General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 54476.7625General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 55476.7875General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 56476.8125General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 57476.8375General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 58476.8625General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 59476.8875General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 60476.9125General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 61476.9375Reserved due to bandwidth of data channels 22 & 23-
Channel 62476.9625Reserved due to bandwidth of data channels 22 & 23-
Channel 63476.9875Reserved due to bandwidth of data channels 22 & 23-
Channel 64477.0125General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 65477.0375General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 66477.0625General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 67477.0875General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 68477.1125General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 69477.1375General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 70477.1625General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 71477.1875Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 72477.2125Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 73477.2375Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 74477.2625Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 75477.2875Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 76477.3125Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 77477.3375Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 78477.3625Repeater Input12.5 kHz
Channel 79477.3875General Chat Channel12.5 kHz
Channel 80477.4125General Chat Channel12.5 kHz

Malaysia

On 1 April 2010, [10] the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) introduced PMR446 (446.00625 MHz to 446.093750 MHz and 446.103125 MHz to 446.196875 MHz) in addition to 26.965 MHz to 27.405 MHz as a class assignment. [11] Subsequently, the MCMC revoked 477 MHz personal radio service as a class assignment on 1 January 2022. [12]

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 Government's 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.

See also

Related Research Articles

LPD433 is a UHF band in which license free communication devices are allowed to operate in some regions. The frequencies correspond with the ITU region 1 ISM band of 433.050 MHz to 434.790 MHz. The frequencies used are within the 70-centimeter band, which is currently otherwise reserved for government and amateur radio operations in the United States and most nations worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citizens band radio</span> Land mobile radio system

Citizens band radio is a land mobile radio system, a system allowing short-distance one-to-many bidirectional voice communication among individuals, using two-way radios operating near 27 MHz in the high frequency or shortwave band. Citizens band is distinct from other personal radio service allocations such as FRS, GMRS, MURS, UHF CB and the Amateur Radio Service. In many countries, CB operation does not require a license and may be used for business or personal communications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ultra high frequency</span> Electromagnetic spectrum 300–3000 MHz

Ultra high frequency (UHF) is the ITU designation for radio frequencies in the range between 300 megahertz (MHz) and 3 gigahertz (GHz), also known as the decimetre band as the wavelengths range from one meter to one tenth of a meter. Radio waves with frequencies above the UHF band fall into the super-high frequency (SHF) or microwave frequency range. Lower frequency signals fall into the VHF or lower bands. UHF radio waves propagate mainly by line of sight; they are blocked by hills and large buildings although the transmission through building walls is strong enough for indoor reception. They are used for television broadcasting, cell phones, satellite communication including GPS, personal radio services including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, walkie-talkies, cordless phones, satellite phones, and numerous other applications.

Citizens band radio is a system of short-distance radio communications between individuals on a selection of 40 channels within the 27-MHz band. In the United Kingdom, CB radio was first legally introduced in 1981, but had been used illegally for some years prior to that.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radiotelephone</span> Communications system for transmission of speech over radio

A radiotelephone, abbreviated RT, is a radio communication system for conducting a conversation; radiotelephony means telephony by radio. It is in contrast to radiotelegraphy, which is radio transmission of telegrams (messages), or television, transmission of moving pictures and sound. The term is related to radio broadcasting, which transmit audio one way to listeners. Radiotelephony refers specifically to two-way radio systems for bidirectional person-to-person voice communication between separated users, such as CB radio or marine radio. In spite of the name, radiotelephony systems are not necessarily connected to or have anything to do with the telephone network, and in some radio services, including GMRS, interconnection is prohibited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Family Radio Service</span> An improved walkie-talkie radio system in the United States

The Family Radio Service (FRS) is an improved walkie-talkie radio system authorized in the United States since 1996. This personal radio service uses channelized frequencies around 462 and 467 MHz in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. It does not suffer the interference effects found on citizens' band (CB) at 27 MHz, or the 49 MHz band also used by cordless telephones, toys, and baby monitors. FRS uses frequency modulation (FM) instead of amplitude modulation (AM). Since the UHF band has different radio propagation characteristics, short-range use of FRS may be more predictable than the more powerful license-free radios operating in the HF CB band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walkie-talkie</span> Hand-held portable two-way communications device

A walkie-talkie, more formally known as a handheld transceiver, HT, or handheld radio, is a hand-held, portable, two-way radio transceiver. Its development during the Second World War has been variously credited to Donald Hings, radio engineer Alfred J. Gross, Henryk Magnuski and engineering teams at Motorola. First used for infantry, similar designs were created for field artillery and tank units, and after the war, walkie-talkies spread to public safety and eventually commercial and jobsite work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Mobile Radio Service</span> Land-mobile FM UHF radio service for short-distance two-way communications

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile FM UHF radio service designed for short-range two-way voice communication and authorized under part 95 of the US FCC code. It requires a license in the United States, but some GMRS compatible equipment can be used license-free in Canada. The US GMRS license is issued for a period of 10 years. The United States permits use by adult individuals who possess a valid GMRS license, as well as their immediate family members. Immediate relatives of the GMRS system licensee are entitled to communicate among themselves for personal or business purposes, but employees of the licensee who are not family members are not covered by the license. Non-family members must be licensed separately.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Professional mobile radio</span> Field radio communications systems

Professional mobile radio are person-to-person two-way radio voice communications systems which use portable, mobile, base station, and dispatch console radios. PMR systems are based on such standards as MPT-1327, TETRA, APCO 25, and DMR which are designed for dedicated use by specific organizations, or standards such as NXDN intended for general commercial use. These systems are used by police, fire, ambulance, and emergency services, and by commercial firms such as taxis and delivery services. Most systems are half-duplex, in which multiple radios share a common radio channel, and only one can transmit at a time. Transceivers are normally in receive mode, the user presses a push-to-talk button on his microphone when he wants to talk, which turns on his transmitter and turns off his receiver. They use channels in the VHF and UHF bands, giving them a limited range, usually 3 to 20 miles depending on terrain. Output power is typically limited to 4 watts. Repeaters installed on tall buildings, hills or mountain peaks are used to increase the range of systems.

In the United States, the business band is the colloquial name used by radio users who utilize and scanner hobbyists who listen to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Industrial/Business pool frequencies. The regulations listing frequencies in this pool are contained in Subpart C of Part 90, Title 47 of the CFR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two-way radio</span> Radio that can both transmit and receive a signal, used for bidirectional voice communication

A two-way radio is a radio transceiver, which is used for bidirectional person-to-person voice communication with other users with similar radios, in contrast to a broadcast receiver, which only receives transmissions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PMR446</span> Licence-free radio in UK and Europe

PMR446 is a licence-exempt service or UHF CB in the UHF radio frequency band, as personal radio service or citizens band radio, and is available for business and personal use in most countries throughout the European Union, Malaysia, and Singapore.

A land mobile radio system (LMRS) is a person-to-person voice communication system consisting of two-way radio transceivers which can be stationary, mobile, or portable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amateur radio repeater</span> Combined receiver and transmitter

An amateur radio repeater is an electronic device that receives a weak or low-level amateur radio signal and retransmits it at a higher level or higher power, so that the signal can cover longer distances without degradation. Many repeaters are located on hilltops or on tall buildings as the higher location increases their coverage area, sometimes referred to as the radio horizon, or "footprint". Amateur radio repeaters are similar in concept to those used by public safety entities, businesses, government, military, and more. Amateur radio repeaters may even use commercially packaged repeater systems that have been adjusted to operate within amateur radio frequency bands, but more often amateur repeaters are assembled from receivers, transmitters, controllers, power supplies, antennas, and other components, from various sources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radio repeater</span> Radio signal retransmitter

A radio repeater is a combination of a radio receiver and a radio transmitter that receives a signal and retransmits it, so that two-way radio signals can cover longer distances. A repeater sited at a high elevation can allow two mobile stations, otherwise out of line-of-sight propagation range of each other, to communicate. Repeaters are found in professional, commercial, and government mobile radio systems and also in amateur radio.

An international distress frequency is a radio frequency that is designated for emergency communication by international agreement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citizens band radio in India</span>

Citizens band radio is a system of short-distance radio communications between individuals on a selection of channels within the 27-MHz band. In India, this frequency band extends from 26.957 MHz to 27.283 MHz. There are several different channel plans in use. Citizens band is distinct from the Family Radio Service, GMRS, Multi-Use Radio Service and amateur radio (Ham). In many countries CB operation does not require a license, and it may be used for business or personal communications. Like many other two-way radio services, any citizens band channel is shared by many users. Only one station may transmit in a channel at a time; other stations must listen and wait for the shared channel to be available. Also, the system works in half-duplex mode, which means we may transmit and receive information, but not both at the same time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartland REACT</span>

Heartland REACT was a chapter of REACT International based in Omaha, Nebraska. It was founded in 1967 as Douglas County REACT and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1972 to provide communications as a public service in the event of emergency and non-emergency events around the Omaha metro area. The Omaha chapter of REACT International was dissolved in 2021 and the organization was reformed as Heartland READY.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personal radio service</span> Group of radio services

A personal radio service is any system that allows individuals to operate radio transmitters and receivers for personal purposes with minimal or no special license or individual authorization. Personal radio services exist around the world and typically use light-weight walkie talkie portable radios. The power output, antenna size, and technical characteristics of the equipment are set by regulations in each country. Many regions have standardized personal radio service rules to allow travelers from one country to use their equipment in another country. Examples of standardized services include PMR446 and FM Citizens Band Radio (CB) in the EU and several other countries/regions. 26–27 MHz CB radio is the oldest personal radio service and is used in nearly every country worldwide, with many countries and regions copying the United States 40-channel frequency plan. In many countries, CB radio is less popular due to the availability of other personal radio services that offer shorter antennas and better protection from noise and interference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waverley Amateur Radio Society</span>

The Waverley Amateur Radio Society (WARS) is an amateur radio society based in Rose Bay, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia which operates under the call sign VK2BV. The society was founded in 1919 and is the oldest continuously licensed amateur radio club in Australia.

References

  1. Jim Sinclair Radio Signal Finding McGraw-Hill Professional, 2000 ISBN   0-07-137191-5 page 281
  2. 1 2 "Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2015". Federal Register of Legislation. Australian Government. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  3. "Citizen band radio stations class licence". Australian Communications and Media Authority . Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  4. "Step 5: label your product". Australian Communications and Media Authority . Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  5. "CB radio History". Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  6. "OSOM Loads, Pilot and Traffic Escort Vehicles" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  7. "Heavy Vehicle National Law" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  8. "Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002". Archived from the original on 27 February 2012.
  9. Claughton, David (3 February 2017). "Peak communications body ACMA reverses decision ruling thousands of CB radio sets illegal". ABC Rural. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  10. Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 Class Assignments No. 1 of 2010 (PDF). Notification of Issuance of Class Assignments. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  11. "Class Assignment No. 1 of 2022". MCMC.
  12. "Usage of Personal Radio Service Device(s) (477.0125 MHz to 477.4875 MHz and 477.5250 MHz to 477.9875 MHz)(Sixth Notice)". MCMC.