I am interested in buying a portable UHF CB radio, which operates between
the 476.425 and 477.400 MHz frequency range. I have had a listen to these
frequencies on my Yaesu Communications Receiver and I haven't yet heard
anyone using them. Is CB radio fairly dead in NZ these days? Apparently the
26 MHz sets are being phased out, but you used to be able to find dozens of
people to talk to on the 26.330 to 26.570 MHz range a few years ago. I do
quite a bit of tramping about the hills and I thought a CB set might give a
bit of added security, but there don't seem to be many repeaters available
yet, and if hardly anyone is listening to the UHF channels, I guess a CB set
would be a bit useless for security purposes?

Is there a calling channel on the UHF sets that most people use? It seems
that CB radio these days is confined to talking between two people who are
situated close to each other, that is, within about 3 to 5km. In addition,
the other person would need to know when to listen out for you, because it
seems you are not likely to come into contact with someone you don't know
because there are so few people on the air.

Another question, can the signal from a 5 watt CB set travel two and a
half times further than the signal sent from a 2 watt set? Two watt sets are
advertised as having a maximum range of about 4 kms (on the flat and without
major obstructions like hills and high buildings), so would a 5 watt set
have a maximum range of 10kms, or don't radio waves travel in an exact
proportion to the power output?

I am looking at buying either the Uniden UHO44 XR (2 watts) or the
Uniden UHO52 XR (5 watts). Are these good sets?

Thanks, Fred

26/27meg sets still crop up regularly on trademe, so some folks must still
be using them.
Odd aside - hams are dropping the need for cw, I've heard. So there could be
more folks heading in that direction (and away from CB).

Bb


"Fred" wrote in message
...
I am interested in buying a portable UHF CB radio, which operates between
the 476.425 and 477.400 MHz frequency range. I have had a listen to these
frequencies on my Yaesu Communications Receiver and I haven't yet heard
anyone using them. Is CB radio fairly dead in NZ these days? Apparently
the
26 MHz sets are being phased out, but you used to be able to find dozens
of
people to talk to on the 26.330 to 26.570 MHz range a few years ago. I do
quite a bit of tramping about the hills and I thought a CB set might give
a
bit of added security, but there don't seem to be many repeaters available
yet, and if hardly anyone is listening to the UHF channels, I guess a CB
set
would be a bit useless for security purposes?

Is there a calling channel on the UHF sets that most people use? It seems
that CB radio these days is confined to talking between two people who are
situated close to each other, that is, within about 3 to 5km. In addition,
the other person would need to know when to listen out for you, because it
seems you are not likely to come into contact with someone you don't know
because there are so few people on the air.

Another question, can the signal from a 5 watt CB set travel two and a
half times further than the signal sent from a 2 watt set? Two watt sets
are
advertised as having a maximum range of about 4 kms (on the flat and
without
major obstructions like hills and high buildings), so would a 5 watt set
have a maximum range of 10kms, or don't radio waves travel in an exact
proportion to the power output?

I am looking at buying either the Uniden UHO44 XR (2 watts) or the
Uniden UHO52 XR (5 watts). Are these good sets?

Thanks, Fred

On Fri, 22 Aug 2003 11:50:35 +1200, "Fred"
wrote:

I am interested in buying a portable UHF CB radio, which operates between
the 476.425 and 477.400 MHz frequency range. I have had a listen to these
frequencies on my Yaesu Communications Receiver and I haven't yet heard
anyone using them. Is CB radio fairly dead in NZ these days? Apparently the
26 MHz sets are being phased out, but you used to be able to find dozens of
people to talk to on the 26.330 to 26.570 MHz range a few years ago. I do
quite a bit of tramping about the hills and I thought a CB set might give a
bit of added security, but there don't seem to be many repeaters available
yet, and if hardly anyone is listening to the UHF channels, I guess a CB set
would be a bit useless for security purposes?

Because the frequencies here are open to everyone - using radios for
security work would be rather pointless. Channel datails can be found
on the Dick Smith web site - data section :-

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.sto...ogs/DTS0000030

hope that long URL posts thru without wrap-around - data section - NZ
& AUS CB channels

In addition - these channels are not meant to be used for commercial
work.


Is there a calling channel on the UHF sets that most people use? It seems
that CB radio these days is confined to talking between two people who are
situated close to each other, that is, within about 3 to 5km. In addition,
the other person would need to know when to listen out for you, because it
seems you are not likely to come into contact with someone you don't know
because there are so few people on the air.

Another question, can the signal from a 5 watt CB set travel two and a
half times further than the signal sent from a 2 watt set? Two watt sets are
advertised as having a maximum range of about 4 kms (on the flat and without
major obstructions like hills and high buildings), so would a 5 watt set
have a maximum range of 10kms, or don't radio waves travel in an exact
proportion to the power output?

I would suggest that the signal would most definately NOT go 2 & 1/2
times further by increasing the power that much. Radio (and audio
levels) are measured using a logarithmic scale called 'decibels'. To
increase the range of the radio, it is much cheaper (and easier) to
increase the height of the aerial, or the size of the aerial.

I am looking at buying either the Uniden UHO44 XR (2 watts) or the
Uniden UHO52 XR (5 watts). Are these good sets?

Thanks, Fred



Can't help here.


Legs






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On Fri, 22 Aug 2003 22:50:00 +1200, Barry Lennox wrote:

A digital cell-phone will be a much better
solution. OK, out in the hills you may have a long walk to get near
cell-phone coverage

In general, the nearest ridgetop is all that's needed...

If you're paranoid, get an iridium phone.

On Fri, 22 Aug 2003 22:50:00 +1200, Barry Lennox's reply included:
Is there a calling channel on the UHF sets that most people use?
Yes, I think there is, Check out DSE as they push the new UHF sets.

It's supposed to be Ch:11 - but (of course) you'll find most people end up chatting on that instead of changing
to another channel.

The OP also asked:
I am looking at buying either the Uniden UHO44 XR (2 watts) or the
Uniden UHO52 XR (5 watts). Are these good sets?

The UHO50 is cheaper than the 52, and the main difference seems to be the 52 has a VOX capability.
You might also check out the price of a spare battery for it/them - I've been quoted $145 for one!

The UHO50 might be found on speacial at Dick Smith's

On Sun, 24 Aug 2003 10:23:36 +1200, Fred wrote:

Thanks Barry and others for your informative replies. When I talked
about security, I meant being able to find someone to talk to if you got
lost or fell down a cliff etc. If you have a CB set with you and you are
lost in dense bush, at least searchers can listen out for your signal if
they know the frequencies you are likely to use. In circumstances like
this, where no cell phone signal is available (and this often happens in
the bush believe me) a CB radio could be really useful in an emergency.

A UHF CB would be just as useless as a cellular phone in such a case.

If you're that worried, carry a locator beacon. That's what they're
designed for and satellites have the advantage of looking damned near
straight down, so terrain is irrelevant.

Oh BTW, always take an unwanted CD with you and learn to use it as a
signal mirror, they work great, BUT DO NOT TAKE A MICRO$OFT one, you
know how insecure their stuff is !

If you're going to take half a helioscope, you should make sure you know
how to use and aim it. the hole in the middle is there for a reason on the
old-style ones, as was the matchstick thingie with the loop on the end. It
makes aiming trivial, even if you can't see the light hitting the far
target.

Hint, look through the hole, hold a stick at arms length, line up the end
of the stick on the target, then aim the sunspot so the hole is
surrounding the end of the stick. You have pinpoint illumination and no
shaking is required. If someone's looking in your direction, you'll get
their attention fast.

This works at distances in excess of 50km. I've used it to setup antennas
- it's a good idea to confirm you're aiming at the right remote hilltop...

Practice helps....

Barry Lennox wrote:
in nz.general09sbkv4em73nmp7fpgrato4fe94mfc4a32@4ax. com,

: On Fri, 22 Aug 2003 11:50:35 +1200, "Fred"
: wrote:
:
: I am interested in buying a portable UHF CB radio, which operates between
: the 476.425 and 477.400 MHz frequency range. I have had a listen to these
: frequencies on my Yaesu Communications Receiver and I haven't yet heard
: anyone using them. Is CB radio fairly dead in NZ these days? Apparently the
: 26 MHz sets are being phased out, but you used to be able to find dozens of
: people to talk to on the 26.330 to 26.570 MHz range a few years ago. I do
: quite a bit of tramping about the hills and I thought a CB set might give a
: bit of added security, but there don't seem to be many repeaters available
: yet, and if hardly anyone is listening to the UHF channels, I guess a CB set
: would be a bit useless for security purposes?
:
: CB is pretty dead-ish these days (Thank god!) Most were far too big
: and ugly to haul about anyway. Any radio is useless for "security
: work" Somebody will hear you. A digital cell-phone will be a much

Um ... I kinda got the impression that the "security" he was after was
precisely so that somebody *could* hear him ... if need be.

: better solution. OK, out in the hills you may have a long walk to get
: near cell-phone coverage, but they are reliable, small and light.
: Check both Tele$com and Voda$one coverage maps to see which has the
: best coverage for your intended tramping.

snip

: I am looking at buying either the Uniden UHO44 XR (2 watts) or the
: Uniden UHO52 XR (5 watts). Are these good sets?
:
: Uniden does have a reasonable name, but I don't know about the
: specifics of those sets.

A friend just last week took his marine Uniden MC610 VHF radiotelephone to
the local Uniden agents for repair. It was made in 1997 (date on the pcb).
It's suddenly stopped transmitting, but still receives. They *refused* to
service or repair it. When pressed, the chap took it out back to at least
determine whether the microphone or unit itself was at fault. Mic was OK.
That was it. He said he was told that *if* he could get a schematic and find
a tech elsewhere who would service it, good luck, but they wouldn't do it.
Or couldn't. Six years, and obsolete/unserviceable. He'd bought it there!
http://www.uniden.co.nz
Rather riled at this treatment, my friend went across the road and bought
the latest Icom as a replacement, vowing never to buy Uniden again ...
YMMV ... then again, maybe not. OTOH, Icom in NZ don't seem to list CB
http://www.icom.co.nz

: Barry Lennox

Ross Matheson

On Sun, 24 Aug 2003 01:11:12 +0000, "Uncle StoatWarbler"
wrote:


If you're that worried, carry a locator beacon. That's what they're
designed for and satellites have the advantage of looking damned near
straight down, so terrain is irrelevant.

That's not a bad idea, they are quite cheap nowadays, at least for the
1/2 freq ones. Be aware though, that around 90+ % of all alerts are
false. And the satellites can only locate you within quite a large
sphere. Then it's down to the SAR air and ground teams. A signal
mirror and loud whistle will help them locate you much more easily.

The 406MHz COSPAS/SARSAT ones are much more accurate, typically about
200-300metres just from a satellite fix, but they are also much more
expensive. Depends on how much you are worth!


If you're going to take half a helioscope, you should make sure you know
how to use and aim it. the hole in the middle is there for a reason on the
old-style ones, as was the matchstick thingie with the loop on the end. It
makes aiming trivial, even if you can't see the light hitting the far
target.

With a CD. I just hold my thumb at arms length over the target, then
sight through the CD hole, and get the reflection onto my thumb, hence
the target. Works great, and it seems like they are custom made for
signal mirrors.

On Sun, 24 Aug 2003 10:23:36 +1200, "Fred" wrote:
I understand that the main future value in New Zealand UHF CB sets is that,
within a year or two, the number of UHF repeaters will be extended quite a
lot, and this includes privately owned repeaters that will be available to
the public.

Remember, of course, that as things stand at the moment, you will not be able to use a CB after 30th June 2006.

That's when the 'general license' expires.(It'll probably get rolled over of course)

On Sun, 24 Aug 2003 19:35:16 +1200, Barry Lennox wrote:

The 406MHz COSPAS/SARSAT ones are much more accurate, typically about
200-300metres just from a satellite fix, but they are also much more
expensive. Depends on how much you are worth!

It won't be long before the new generation combines a gps fix with the
distress squawk.

With a CD. I just hold my thumb at arms length over the target, then
sight through the CD hole, and get the reflection onto my thumb, hence
the target. Works great, and it seems like they are custom made for
signal mirrors.

The problem with using your thumb is that your hand will obscure more of
the reflection than a stick will.