UHF changes

[Spurio Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Spurio]

Looks like the acma is one step closer to their desired changes :shock:

http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_312108

http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/_assets/ma ... 400mhz.pdf

Unless you have a programmable UHF better wait until the new 80 channel ones become available.

[dereki Member Find all posts View Profile Close dereki]

Re: UHF changes

My 2c..

-- snip --
From 1 January 2011, the additional simplex and telemetry/telecommand channels will
become available, and after five years, the use of 25 kHz equipment will not be
supported.
-- snip --

So in 1 Jan 2016 use of 25khz equipment will be phased out, but I bet a bunch of people will just keep using 25khz equipment anyhow. Given you can pick little handhelds at tandy for $30, there must be a lot of 25khz units out there.

-- snip --
The ACMA has carriage of licensing arrangements and can implement changes in about
six months. The ACMA participates in equipment standards formation, along with
equipment manufacturers and other experts, and the process of modifying the existing
standard may take around 12 months. It is therefore the ACMA’s intention to have the
framework in place supporting the use of the new arrangements in the second quarter of
2011, and equipment manufacturers may work in parallel with standards development to
have the new equipment available when they can.
-- snip --

Also the standards will not be complete for another 12 months, so new equipement won't hit the market for at least 12 months, maybe longer.

If I were thinking about getting something, I would just get a cheaper one now and use it for the next 3 to 5 years then have a good excuse to upgrade.

D

[jarrah7rally Member Find all posts View Profile Close jarrah7rally]

Re: UHF changes

Think you will find the CBRS ie 476 477 mHz will remain still at the 25khz spacing

Ok now that I looked at it interesting to see they plan to leave repeaters at 25 along with telemetry but everything else at 12.5 - makes for a messy arrangement in my books

I haven't looked at it too much, apart from being aware through work some changes are/were being planned.

I do know that there are still plenty of the old VHF 25 Khz land mobile radios out there operating (probably in breach of regulations) - Marine VHF still is set at wide band due to it being a worldwide standard.

The other smart thing to do is forget the cheapish off the shelf get a dedicated land mobile radio from whoever (Tait Motorola Kenwood Vertex Simoco/Phillips) have it programmed up to CBRS regulations and when and if they change to narrow band simply reprogram with narrow band configuration.

Cheers

Jarrah7

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: UHF changes

Something needs to be done. Just driving around the Goldfields you'll find almost every channel in use by mining companies, truckies, pastoralists, prospectors and travellers.

I have a dual band scanning CB and there are even people still using AM.

More digital stuff is coming out as the networks slowly spread through the regional areas. Has to be a change for the better although I hope the costs are kept low.

[Hubble80 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hubble80]

Re: UHF changes

I am wondering if it is worthwhile to hold off buying a UHF or if I bought one now, would it still work?

[dereki Member Find all posts View Profile Close dereki]

Re: UHF changes

I am wondering if it is worthwhile to hold off buying a UHF or if I bought one now, would it still work?

Apart from the class license for UHF changing and making it illegal in 5-6 years time, there is nothing to stop you using a25khz radio to talk to other 25khz radios forever. (You might upset narrow band (12.5Khz) users though.)

What do you want to use it for? If you want to talk to specific people and all those people are going to go narrow band as soon as radios come out, then you can wait the 9 to 12 months before the gear comes out.(the acma document says that the standards process takes about that long). If you want to talk to random people who already have radios, then I would just get a 25khz one and use it until the majority of people have got new narrow band gear, however long that takes. 3-4 years??? Who knows.


D

[LostDingo2 Find all posts View Profile Close LostDingo2]

Re: UHF changes

if you need a radio no need to wait or you could be waiting a long while. I reckon you get the best you can with what cash you have at the time.

My .9 cents worth :P

[jarrah7rally Member Find all posts View Profile Close jarrah7rally]

Re: UHF changes

Just been advised at work of all the changes, looks like most of our freqs will be null & void.

I still say UHF CBRS will be a dogs breakfast - and to operate a wide band radio when the system is set up for 12.5. would be considered illegal due to interference to other users.

If anybody is thinking of future proofing themselves strongly suggest getting a land mobile radio (Several manufacturers around Kenwood Motorola Vertex Tait or Simoco maybe others I haven't listed) and have it programmed up accordingly. '

Yes getting the dealer to program them could be a pain but everybody will be in the same position.

Cheers

Jarrah7

[JGD Member Find all posts View Profile Close JGD]

Re: UHF changes

If anybody is thinking of future proofing themselves strongly suggest getting a land mobile radio (Several manufacturers around Kenwood Motorola Vertex Tait or Simoco maybe others I haven't listed) and have it programmed up accordingly.

I spoke to GME regarding this issue several months back.

They advised that the GME TX 3340 and TX 3100 radios (and any released from that point) have the ability to be returned to GME and 'flashed' to operate at 12.5KHz with the new channels when the legislation is passed.

Something to consider if you don't want to invest in a commercial set and want to get a new UHF set with the ability to update it next year.

[jarrah7rally Member Find all posts View Profile Close jarrah7rally]

Re: UHF changes

I have heard the same thing, certainly the new models would have this feature

But doubt anything older than this late last year would have the firmware upgraded to latest configuration.

Either way interesting time ahead for all, whether it be CBRS or commercial applications

[dereki Member Find all posts View Profile Close dereki]

Re: UHF changes

I wonder if people will bail out of the mess and go back to 27Mhz until the dust settles... at least all 27MHz units will talk to all other 27MHz units.