Will be interesting how fast the new channels will begin to be used now that the 80 channel UHF CB frequencies have been released. This comes into effect Jan 1.
Unsure if some of the older radios will cause interference on the new channels.
Sorry for the long post but for the information of others:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING UHF CB RADIO
Overview
The use of a UHF CB transceiver is governed by a class licence as prescribed by the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Currently, all UHF CB radios operate within an
allocated frequency band that is divided into 40 channels, with each channel spaced 25 kHz apart.
These radios are commonly known as ‘wide band’ radios.
Due to advances in technology it has now become economically viable to design and build radios
that operate in a narrower bandwidth and hence use less spectrum. These radios are known as
‘narrow band’ radios and operate with a channel spacing of just 12.5 kHz. By using 12.5 kHz
channel spacing instead of 25 kHz, the 40 channel allocation can be expanded to 80 channels,
doubling the channel capacity and relieving congestion in the UHF CB band.
The ACMA has recently released a proposal to allow the use of narrow band equipment in the
UHF CB band. To minimise interference to current wide band repeater and telemetry services,
the proposal recommends that narrow band radios be introduced in two stages over a 5 year
period.
Stage one proposes that from January 2011, narrow band radios will be allowed to operate using
60 of the 80 channels in the newly revised UHF CB band. However, narrow band transmissions
will not be allowed on current repeater channels 1 – 8, 31 – 38 and Telemetry channels 22 and
23. This will minimise interference to these wide band services during the transition to narrow
band technology.
Stage two will take effect after January 2016 when all 80 channels will become available for
narrow band transmissions.
What this means to the user;
- Current 40 channel wide band radiso will continue to work on the orginal channel frequencies and will operate effectively past 2016
- Current 40 channel UHF CB Radios will NOT become obsolete and will continue to operate on the original 40 channels, however they will not be able to converse on the newer channels 41-80.
Further info
www.acma.gov.au
Show Posts
