Offroad-Express

Hi guys, just picked up a set of Uniden 047SX hand held UHF radios.
Basically so I can communicate easily when doing recoveries etc. but also for when I go hunting.

But I am unsure what channels I should be using? So an answer to the following questions would be appreciated. (a range of channels may be more appropriate)

What channel should I use when communicating with other vehicles (mates) and when doing recoveries?

What channel should I use when hunting?


I've used radios before but all i ever had to do was press the button and talk

These radios are great !!:cheers:
I have used them in various situations and they work well over 1km outside.

As to which channel to use I understand that these radios are on a seperate set of frequencies from what we know as standard CB radios. :study:

So the short answer is pick a number and if someone else is talking pick another number.
Then make sure that you mate is on the same channel.

If there are a number of radios on your trip, it would be a good idea to decide on what chanels to use so that you can all keep intouch, and have a seperate chanel for recoveries.

I hope this helps:cheers:

Have fun

are there any channels that i need to stay off (eg, emercency channels etc)

also are there any channels i might want to monitor to because other 4x4 clubs use them, truckies use them etc?

As far as I am aware these chanels are not used in other comerical radios and there are no chanels asigned as call-up or emergency chanels and I do not think that there is any oficial monitering of any particular chanel.
(thought I moniter all 40 on my scanner when I am bored and there is not much happening because of their short range)
As to what chanel the clubs use the only one that matters is the club that you are out with at the time as there is no clash if you are on the same chanel as somone 20km away as you wont hear them and they wont hear you.

I found this on the Dick Smith add for these radios
""* Please note: CH 22 & 23 are used for telemetry and telecommand applications, voice communications are not permitted on these channels and transmission is inhibited.""
So you would proberbly want to stay off these two if they actually work on your sets


Hope this helps

evidently 05 &35 are emergency channels and yes 22 & 23 are telemetry channels.

Check 15 & 25 too are officially used, I can't remember but i think while sitting on a hill one day I heard the ambulance and/or fire brigade on one of those 40km's away (or 5/35?) Carefull not to duplex on 1-8 otherwise you'll be trying to talk to everyone in range off a repeater NZ wide.

We use the baby ones for work in the tractors around farms and have found that when you are on a hill top, clear line of sight you can pick up along way off. (once I spoke to a workmate 8ks + line of sight with a 0.5w)

My experiance only - could be corrected by a true radio buff

p.s. have also picked up the stop/go lolly pop ladies saying some embarrasing things too (Ch 1)

Ok, got ya.

Now what about this CTCSS? Is this what i use if i just want to talk to my mate who is on the same channel?

would i set the radio to channel 11 and then set CTCSS to 9 (the numbers are just an example) and then he does the same. and then only me and my mate can talk to and hear each other?(and the off chance that someone else is on the same channel and CTCSS tone)

is that right? or have i got it completly wrong?

You have almost got it right
If some one else sets theirs to the same chanel 11 and same CTCSS number 9 they can listen / talk to you.

The trick is that you can have a CTCSS chanel set and if I set mine to chanel 11 but do not set a CTCSS chanel I can listin in to you but you will not hear me if I transmit ... thus we have found that using the CTCSS sub chanel for privicy is a waste of time.


Clear as mud aye

Thanks for that! i think i have finally got it now!

The replies are much appriciated.

http://www.rsm.govt.nz/licensing/gurls/gurl-cbr.html

Data only allowed on 22 and 23.

Thats the only 'real' rule nowadays... except that if you operate a repeater its under a different licence (ie needs registering) and can only use channels 1-8 and 31-38

Channel guide is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printable_Frequency_Allocation_Table

5 and 35 used to be emergency only channels.

Its still wise to not use 5 or 35 as there has been talk of re-imposing that rule.

The channels guidelines are the same for both AM and UHF

Hi Bill
Thanks for that,
I knew that there was chanels allocated for calling etc on the AM (CB) freq. but was unaware that there were any on the UHF (PRS) ones.
Are there actuly any repeters on the UHF freq.'s in NZ?

There used to be one in Christchurch, but it seems to have gone. There are quite a few on he north island and down south. A Mate has one under his bed... we were thinking of putting it up somewhere but never get round to it...

Seems channel 19 is the one most ORE members around here use for inter-truck communications...

Steve

wjw wrote:There used to be one in Christchurch, but it seems to have gone. There are quite a few on he north island and down south. A Mate has one under his bed... we were thinking of putting it up somewhere but never get round to it...

That was provided by me on my radio site at Marleys Hill, got sick of idiots trying to jam the repeater and make dicks of themselves so I pulled it out