WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

What is with these 38 channel cb handhelds coming into the market? since when was it 38 channels not 40? anyone with any info...would be much appreciated.

The two data channels (22 and 23) should not/may not be used to transmit voice = 38 channel would be my guess.

whats this about data channels. didnt know there was such a thing...

The ACMA site is a wealth of knowledge:

http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/1001/pc=PC_1688

Can I use my CB radio to transmit data?

Yes. Data can only be transmitted on UHF channels 22 (476.950 MHz) and 23 (476.975 MHz), and transmission must comply with the restrictions imposed in the CBRS class licence. These channels are dedicated to data purposes and should not be used for voice communication.

yeah that would have been my guess.. 22 and 23 are locked out or removed or something. cheap n nasty.

VK6 NDT wrote:yeah that would have been my guess.. 22 and 23 are locked out or removed or something. cheap n nasty.

It's in the class license, so new radios have to follow it to be type approved.

It'll be interesting when (when - not if) ACMA switch UHF CB to 12.5KHz channel spacing. GME/Uniden are going to make an utter fortune with the huge number of existing 38/40 channel rigs that'll need to be replaced.

vk6hgr wrote:GME/Uniden are going to make an utter fortune with the huge number of existing 38/40 channel rigs that'll need to be replaced.

If they are selling bulk items it will be cheaper.. yeah? or I am dreaming?

The 38/40 channels will still work? so those units will be cheap as they run them out??

Bigfella78 wrote:[quote="vk6hgr"
The 38/40 channels will still work? so those units will be cheap as they run them out??

They won't work properly on simplex, as their deviation will be too wide and you'll be interfering with the newer narrow channels.

The devil's in the details on how ACMA plan to transition this... a lot of people are not going to be happy to find out their UHF CBs aren't legal to use anymore on simplex channels.