ok just had a look at the website
*Please note: in the Narrowband UHF CB Expansion 77 channels are available and user upgradeable for FREE when the ACMA Standard is published, see Uniden's website for details
http://uniden.co.nz/NEW_ZEALAND/cs_77_channel_acma.asp40 NARROW BAND CHANNELS / 77 CHANNEL READY
40 Narrow Band Channels / 77 Channel Ready Uniden
A New Standard
The ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) reviewed the arrangements for the UHF CB band. As a result the ACMA decided to restructure the UHF CB band, increasing its capacity from 40 up to 80 channels – with 75 for voice communications and 2 for telemetry totalling 77 useable channels (the remaining 3 channels are restricted for possible future use). The NZ MED (Ministry of Economic Development) has also agreed to introduce these new channels.
Users will soon see the terms 'Wideband' and 'Narrowband' being used to describe older radios and newer radios. Older radios that operate on only 40 UHF-CB channels are Wideband radios and newer radios that will operate on the 77 UHF-CB channels are Narrowband radios. Both Narrowband radios and Wideband radios can communicate together normally as always on the first 40 channels. Only the new Narrowband radios will have the additional channels up to channel 80.
Launch Timing
The ACMA and NZ MED have estimated a launch date in the coming months, most likely between April to July 2011, from which the new narrowband channels 41 – 80 can be used. In 2017 the ACMA and NZ MED may consider revoking the Radio Communications Class License for any older 40 channel Wideband UHF-CB radios remaining in use.
Uniden – User Upgrade System
All Uniden radios with model numbers ending in NB (Narrow Band) eg UH7700SX-NB are user upgradable to the 77 usable channels when the ACMA and NZ MED confirms the launch date and then to the full 80 channels should the ACMA allow.
Uniden radios have been specially engineered this way as it is the simplest and easiest approach for consumers since it means:
- No upgrade costs $$$
- No hack modifications
- No de-installation, re-installation costs $$$
- No down time
- No problems
Uniden will simply publish on this website the unlock code to enable the additional channels, immediately after the ACMA licences their use.
A Summary of Special Channel Usage in the 80 Channels
• Channels 22 and 23 are reserved for telemetry and telecommand. Voice transmission is prohibited on these channels.
• Channel 61, 62 and 63 are restricted for possible future use. Uniden radios can be user upgraded to use these channels should the ACMA legalise their use.
• There are 16 Duplex channels 1 to 8 (31 to 38) and 41 to 48 (71 to 78).
• Channel 5 (+Duplex 35) remains the emergency channel.
Sums it up nicely. Cheers.
