How to get better performance from your UHF, and which channels you should and shouldn\u2019t be using<\/p>\n
UHF radios have got to be the best-value form of communication off-road. Having your own UHF allows you to communicate with other travellers and properties 10-20km away, and in some cases, even further. What\u2019s better is that they don\u2019t require licensing, they\u2019re easy to install, you can pick one up for just a few hundred beer tickets, AND they\u2019re 100% free to use \u2013 meaning you can head further into the scrub where mobile phones just won\u2019t cut it, and still be in constant contact with your mates.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the thing, so many 4WDers we meet on the tracks don\u2019t even realise that they\u2019re not getting the best performance from their UHFs. Which is why we\u2019re going to show you how to get better range, increased reliability and less chatter from other users with this all-in-one UHF cheat sheet.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026over!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
CHOOSING A UNIT<\/h3>\n
Hand held versus in-dash, whichever you choose, you\u2019ll need transmitting\/receiving power. Most handhelds range from 0.5W-5W, while in-dash units range between 1-5W. Your best bet is to look for 5 Watt unit if you don\u2019t want to be concerned about range, like the Oricom UHF 380, which is an in-car 5W CB Radio. Smaller watt handheld radios like the Oricom Handheld UHF285 are cheaper and great if you\u2019re only using them for close range comms like spotting, but they\u2019ll quickly lose clarity with distance and uneven terrain \u2013 which is where the larger 5W UHF will shine.<\/p>\n
ARE BIGGER ARIALS BETTER?<\/h3>\n
When it comes to UHF aerials, bigger is not always better. As a general rule, the higher dBi rating of an aerial, the larger it is. That doesn\u2019t mean a short, 3dBi aerial is less effective than a 9dBi; they just perform different roles in different terrains (read on for more info).<\/p>\n
UNDERSTANDING DBI RATINGS<\/h3>\n
An aerial\u2019s performance changes according to its dB rating, and each has its strengths in different situations. <\/p>\n
\n
- A low gain antenna between 2-4 dBi is well suited for hilly terrain but will lack range in flat, open terrain.<\/li>\n
- Medium gain antennas in the 5-7 dBi range are a perfect all round antenna which works well in hilly and flat terrain. The Oricom ANU200 Antenna is a 6.5dBi gain Antenna, so it\u2019s the perfect all-rounder<\/li>\n
- And a high-gain antenna over 8dBi are good in flat terrain but poor in hilly terrain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
THE BEST PLACE TO MOUNT YOUR AERIAL<\/h3>\n
Generally speaking, the higher you can mount your antenna, the better.<\/p>\n
Your UHF\u2019s antenna needs a large uniform metal surface beneath the radiating elements to perform correctly. This is referred to as a \u2018ground plane\u2019. Therefore, the best position to install an antenna is in the centre of a metal roof, however, this is not always possible and you might need to bung it on your bullbar.<\/p>\n
If you are mounting it on your bulbar, you\u2019ll need a \u2018ground independent\u2019 antenna. The installed location of a ground independent antenna will play a major role in the performance. <\/p>\n
WHEN TO USE THE DUPLEX FUNCTION<\/h3>\n
The \u2018duplex\u2019 function of your UHF helps to increase the range of your radio by using repeater stations set high in ideal locations. In duplex mode, repeater station forwards the signal it receives from repeater input stations to the corresponding output stations.
\nAny transmissions sent on non-duplex channels are sent in simplex mode, or directly between radio sets without the use of a repeater. For the best range in simplex mode, you\u2019ll need a high-wattage radio coupled to a good quality aerial suitable for the terrain you\u2019re in \u2013 more information on this below.<\/p>\nUHF CHANNEL GLOVEBOX GUIDE<\/h3>\n
\n
\n \n Channel<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Frequency<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Use<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 1 to 4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.4250 – 476.5000 Duplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Repeater output<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.5250 Duplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Emergency use only (repeater output)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 6 to 8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.5500 – 476.6000 Duplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Repeater output<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.6250 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.6500 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 4WD convoys, clubs and National Parks<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.6750 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Call channel<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 12 to 17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.7000 – 476.8250 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.8500 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Caravan and campers convoy channel<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 19 to 21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.8750 – 476.9250 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 22 to 23<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.9500 – 476.9750 Data <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Data only – no voice<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 24 to 28<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 477.0000 – 477.1000 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 29<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 477.1250 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Pacific Hwy (NSW) and Bruce Hwy (Qld) road channel<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 477.1500 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n UHF CB broadcasts<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 31 to 34<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 477.1750 – 477.2500 <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Repeater input<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 35<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 477.275<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Emergency use only (repeater input)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 36 to 38<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 477.3000 – 477.3500<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Repeater input<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 39<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 477.3750 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 40<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 477.4000 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Highway channel<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 41 to 48<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.4375 – 476.6125 Duplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Repeater output<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 49 to 60<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 476.6375 – 476.9125 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 61 to 63<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n N\/A<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Reserved for future expansion<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 64 to 70<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 477.0125 – 477.1625 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 71 to 78<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 477.1875 – 477.3625<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n Repeater input<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n 79 to 80<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n 477.3875 – 477.4125 Simplex<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BETTER COMMS How to get better performance from your UHF, and which channels you should and shouldn\u2019t be using UHF radios have got to be the best-value form of communication off-road. Having your own UHF allows you to communicate with other travellers and properties 10-20km away, and in some cases, even further. What\u2019s better is…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123456,"featured_media":132,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/123456"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":134,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131\/revisions\/134"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}