IMPORTANT INFORMATION

UHF CB Radio as we know it is set to change, the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) announced proposed changes from January 1st 2011.

Increasing the number of allocated channels from 40 to 80 is a great step forward for all UHF CB operators.

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 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 may consider revoking the Radio Communications Class License for any older 40 channel Wideband UHF-CB radios remaining in use

• The frequency allocation extended upwards by 6.25 kHz to accommodate an additional 12.5 kHz channel
• All simplex voice channels will transition to 12.5 kHz bandwidth Repeater channels will transition to 12.5 kHz bandwidth, to create space for additional repeater channels to be added in stage two of the changes
• Telemetry channels 22 & 23 remain unchanged
• Licensing rules regarding repeaters will be relaxed
• 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

UHF CB operators will be able to apply for licenses for new repeater channels 41 to 43 & 46 to 48 once the class license is changed, However licenses for channels 44 & 45 will not be issued for an additional 6 to 12 months to allow owners of channel 5 emergency repeaters more time to upgrade equipment to meet the new standards, Once the ACMA confirms that most emergency repeaters have been converted 44 & 45 licenses will be issued.

These changes are the start of much needed changes to UHF CB Radio and we will keep you up to date with all the details at they come to hand.

What do the changes mean for your radio?

Unfortunately most radios are not upgradeable to include the new channels, which means that to access them you will need to by a new unit