UHF 80 Channel Frequencies

The UHF channel range has been increased to 80 channels thanks to the retirement of analog television. It’s against the law to fit an 40 channel UHF in your rig and in a few years it will be illegal to use a pre-exiting 40 channel at all. These new 80 channels units are the way to go. I’ve spoken about your off-road communications options more broadly, but here’s some specific detail for UHF.

IMPORTANT: If you want to use your UHF CB for casual commincation use a Simplex non-reseved channel.

Basic rules of thumb:

• It is illegal to fit an 40 channel UHF CB in your rig
• If you had one before the change, you have until 2016 to upgrade
• You do not need a licence for most channels
• Only a handful of units can be ‘upgraded’ from 40 channel to 80.

Some UHF definitions:

Channel: This is really just a number that’s eaiser for us to remeber than a frequency and is what the little screen on your UHF will show.

Frequency: This is the actual frequency start for the channel. There is both a standard and duplex frequency.

Simplex: Simplex mode is what most people know abd use a CB for. I means to recieve and transmit on the same channel.

Duplex: Duple mode on the other hand is a lot more complex. It is the process of sending on one channel and recieving on the other. This is used with repeater stations that exent your broadcast potentially further than 100KM. See repeaters below.

Repeater: This infatructure and process is used for rebroadcasting signals. The automatically re-transmit though a much more powerful unit for a much greater reach. 100kms + in some instances over your 3 to 5km from your car. This was key to evergency commincation in off-road before Sat phones and EPIRBs where availible. If you can’t afford either of them, this is a great and free alternative. But you should take the time to learn how to use it.

Usage: There are some channels reserved for repeate stations, some for emergency and others for specific 4×4 club / touring etc. When it doubt use a public channel or talk with some of the expects at your 4×4 Club.

Here’s the UHF 80 Channel use list:

Whilst there is citizen radio, and you not longer need a licence to use most channels, this is goverened by the ACMA. There is some anonimity on the UHF band, so your chances of being caught a pretty slim unless you are really abusing the system. But I would just ask you use the correct Simplex channels at a basic starting point.

If you want to be a douche on the air, then thats your perogative.