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.
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]
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]
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The following channels are legislated as a part of the ACMA UHF CB Class Licence. [2]
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.
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]
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 1 | 476.4250 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 2 | 476.4500 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 3 | 476.4750 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 4 | 476.5000 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 5 | 476.5250 | Emergency Repeater Output (not an emergency channel in New Zealand) | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 6 | 476.5500 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 7 | 476.5750 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 8 | 476.6000 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 9 | 476.6250 | General Chat Channel (sometimes also used by firies) | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 10 | 476.6500 | 4WD Clubs or Convoys and National Parks. Also one-way track channel, Simpson desert channel and outback channel. | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 11 | 476.6750 | Call Channel (main trucking channel in New Zealand) | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 12 | 476.7000 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 13 | 476.7250 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 14 | 476.7500 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 15 | 476.7750 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 16 | 476.8000 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 17 | 476.8250 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 18 | 476.8500 | Caravanners and Campers Convoy Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 19 | 476.8750 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 20 | 476.9000 | General Chat Channel (sometimes also motorhome channel) | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 21 | 476.9250 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 22 | 476.9500 | Telemetry and Telecommand Only (No Voice or Data) | 25 kHz |
Channel 23 | 476.9750 | Telemetry and Telecommand Only (No Voice or Data) | 25 kHz |
Channel 24 | 477.0000 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 25 | 477.0250 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 26 | 477.0500 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 27 | 477.0750 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 28 | 477.1000 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 29 | 477.1250 | Road Safety Channel Pacific Hwy/Mwy between Brisbane (QLD) and Sydney (NSW) and normal channel in New Zealand | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 30 | 477.1500 | UHF CB Broadcasts, Weather etc | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 31 | 477.1750 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 32 | 477.2000 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 33 | 477.2250 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 34 | 477.2500 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 35 | 477.2750 | Emergency Repeater Input (not an emergency channel in New Zealand) | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 36 | 477.3000 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 37 | 477.3250 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 38 | 477.3500 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 39 | 477.3750 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 40 | 477.4000 | Road Safety Channel Australia Wide | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 41 | 476.4375 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 42 | 476.4625 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 43 | 476.4875 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 44 | 476.5125 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 45 | 476.5375 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 46 | 476.5625 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 47 | 476.5875 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 48 | 476.6125 | Repeater Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 49 | 476.6375 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 50 | 476.6625 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 51 | 476.6875 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 52 | 476.7125 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 53 | 476.7375 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 54 | 476.7625 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 55 | 476.7875 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 56 | 476.8125 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 57 | 476.8375 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 58 | 476.8625 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 59 | 476.8875 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 60 | 476.9125 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 61 | Reserved due to bandwidth of data channels 22 & 23 | - | |
Channel 62 | Reserved due to bandwidth of data channels 22 & 23 | - | |
Channel 63 | Reserved due to bandwidth of data channels 22 & 23 | - | |
Channel 64 | 477.0125 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 65 | 477.0375 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 66 | 477.0625 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 67 | 477.0875 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 68 | 477.1125 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 69 | 477.1375 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 70 | 477.1625 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 71 | 477.1875 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 72 | 477.2125 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 73 | 477.2375 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 74 | 477.2625 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 75 | 477.2875 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 76 | 477.3125 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 77 | 477.3375 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 78 | 477.3625 | Repeater Input | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 79 | 477.3875 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
Channel 80 | 477.4125 | General Chat Channel | 12.5 kHz |
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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