Thread: CB protocol

Hi, this is my first post so I hope it makes sense.
Regarding the problem of the nutters there is a feature on most UHF set called CTCSS [Continuous Coded Squelch System] This means everyone on channel can hear you but you only hear people with the same preselected code. This is handy in areas where there is bad language. It means you can scan the channels you choose & use the preselected channel for inter-vehicle coms.

As well as the channels already mentioned, channels 22 and 23 have been allocated for data use only. These are used to remotely control pumps and the like in the country.

Also avoid using channels 31 to 38, as these are used with 1 to 8 to provide the duplex feature with repeaters.

In my experience selcall is not normally used with uhf cb, which is only used over short distances. It does not offer the advantages it does with HF.

The phonetic Alphabet is good to learn, also dont talk over the top of others, I could ramble on all day but would probably just annoy you all.

Thanks for all the info guys, it's all usefull.
I bought a TX4600 in the end and fitted it on the weekend. As you say, some of the banter on there is not good. Some of the people uesing it down here in the city must lead some pretty sad lives.

I was stuck in traffic hauling into town yesterday morning and flicked on the UHF to see if there was any chat about the problem. There wasn't, but I stumbled across a pair of einsteins:

E1) mate this traffic is ****ed.

E2) yep, ****ed.

E1) you'd be glad you brought that coffee this morning.

E2) mate I've finished it.

E1) that's ****ed.

Melbourne UHF traffic is always the same!

CraigE is right, UHF is free to air and no-one can tell you to get off 'their' channel.

Unsing the duplex channels is common here, probably because few of the repeaters actually work. They're mostly set up by folks who need them for a specific purpose, but when that's over they're not maintained and fall into disrepair.

CH40 can be colourful. I wouldn't recommend anyone with kids spending too much time here, unless you want to pass a road train.

Ch18 can be very funny.

Some people here call up and ask if you are "on channel" to intiate a call.

What I can't stand is American RATEL. There's a few around here who say "anyone got a copy". Gives me the.....

What I cant stand is when you have conversations with wannabe truckies and they end conversations with roger that or copy that and your face to face with them.

The best thing to know is when / where to turn the thing off. In the West, it's easy. I drive from Kalgoorlie to Perth regularly, and always have the set on 40.

Just before arriving in Perth, there's a big hill called Greenmount that you have to drive over - the radio gets turned off as I go over the top, and does not get turned on until I'm past the same point on the way back out. Whe I go across to Adelaide, it's about Virginia I think from memory, where the radio gets turned off. I would guess that regular travellers to all capital cities would know similar locations.

That's not to say that you don't get the idiots outside the capital cities - we get out fair share of them in Kalgoorlie. But at least in the country, everyone seems to know to just ignore tham and they soon go away.