UHF CB FAQs

Duplex operation allows a radio to transmit on a different frequency to that which it receives. This allows operation through repeater stations. A repeater station consists of a linked transmitter/receiver combination installed in a prominent location. The repeater is designed to receive signals on a designated channel and retransmit them on another channel.

Repeaters are usually mounted on hills or tall buildings. The increased elevation greatly improves both the receiving and transmitting range of the repeater allowing it to receive and retransmit signals to radios that would otherwise be out of range of each other. Normally, UHF CB radios transmit and receive on the same frequency – known as Simplex operation.

However, to communicate through repeaters, your radio must be able to transmit and receive on different channels – otherwise known as Duplex operation. The Duplex function can only be selected on channels 1 – 8 and 41 – 48 as these are the channels that have been allocated for repeater use. When Duplex is selected, your radio receives on the selected channel (e.g. CH 1) but transmits 30 channels higher (CH 31). The repeater hears your signal on CH 31 and retransmits it on CH 1 for others to hear.

Different UHF CB radios offer different transmission power based on the requirements of the user and the specific application.

For a detailed overview of GME’s range of Handheld UHF CB radios see https://youtu.be/YjEQtecFnzM

As UHF CB radio operates on ‘line-of-sight’, the higher you can mount your antenna on your vehicle, the better the performance will be.

For further information on DIY installation of your radio and antenna see https://youtu.be/20lkxpGEbsA

Yes.

Different circumstances and geographical terrain are better suited to either a low gain or high gain antenna.

For a detailed explanation of the different types of antennas and their benefits see https://youtu.be/DfexxrpjIlc

While older 40 channel radios do still work, upgrading to a modern 80 channel UHF CB radio offers a number of benefits, the most obvious being double the number of useable channels, meaning you have more options to ensure uninterrupted communication.

Additionally, the transmissions received from those with an 80 channel UHF CB radio will be lower in volume, and transmissions received from the 40 channel UHF CB radio may be distorted or significantly louder due to the difference in band width.

No.

XRS™ Location Services is exclusively available on the XRS™ Connect range of radios, due to their Bluetooth® functionality.

For more information see gme.net.au/getxrs

In Australia, UHF CB radios are limited to a maximum transmission power of 5 Watts under the Australian Class Licence.

GME UHF CB radios transmit and receive on the 477MHz frequency.

Some GME radios, such as the XRS™ range and the TX6600S, feature user-programmable receive-only channels on the 450-520MHz frequency.

UHF CB radio is an open two-way communication platform that is managed by the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA).

UHF CB radios sold in Australia must meet a number of specific standards in order to be used legally.

Different countries around the world use different frequencies and have different product Standards, hence the majority of GME products cannot legally be used outside of Australia and New Zealand.

GME offers a wide selection of fixed-mount UHF CB radios to suit a range of applications and budgets.

The major difference between our fixed-mount radios, aside from technical features, is the mechanical design.

GME offers DIN Mount, Hideaway, Remote head, and IP-rated designs to suit the majority of individual usage and installation requirements.

To explore the full range and find the right radio for you, see www.gme.net.au/fixed-mount-radios

GME offers a wide selection of handheld UHF CB radios to suit a range of applications and budgets. The major difference between our handheld radios, aside from technical features, is the transmission power.

GME offers 1W, 2W, and 5W radios in a variety of different configurations. To explore the full range visit handheld-range and find the right radio for you, see https://youtu.be/YjEQtecFnzM

There are a number of unique advantages offered by XRS™ Connect radios over conventional style UHF CB radios.

For more information on the fantastic technology featured in the XRS™ Connect range see www.gme.net.au/getxrs

If you require a replacement microphone for your GME radio, use the website search function to visit the relevant product page for your radio, where you will find the model number of your microphone.

The TX6600S is a rugged, high-end UHF CB radio with several class-leading features.

The TX6600PRO offers all the same features of the TX6600S, plus the option for dealers to program the radio with private commercial radio frequencies.

The CP50 is a fully-featured commercial radio, intended for use in serious commercial applications with features such as Man-Down, Lone Worker, MDC1200 and Voting.

For more information see the relevant product page:
TX6600S  – www.gme.net.au/hand-held-radios/tx6600s/
TX6600PRO – www.gme.net.au/hand-held-radios/tx6600pro/
CP50 – www.gme.net.au/portable-radios/cp50/

GME offers a number of generic RJ45 pass-through adaptors, such as the XRS-RJ45RND which can easily be installed in any vehicle due to it’s unique circular design.

We also offer the XRS-RJ45W6 and XRS-RJ45R6 to suit a Carling-style switch blank, commonly found in many older 4WD vehicles.

Duplex operation allows a radio to transmit on a different frequency to that which it receives. This allows operation through repeater stations. A repeater station consists of a linked transmitter/receiver combination installed in a prominent location. The repeater is designed to receive signals on a designated channel and retransmit them on another channel.

Repeaters are usually mounted on hills or tall buildings. The increased elevation greatly improves both the receiving and transmitting range of the repeater allowing it to receive and retransmit signals to radios that would otherwise be out of range of each other.

Normally, UHF CB radios transmit and receive on the same frequency – known as Simplex operation. However, to communicate through repeaters, your radio must be able to transmit and receive on different channels – otherwise known as Duplex operation. The Duplex function can only be selected on channels 1 – 8 and 41 – 48 as these are the channels that have been allocated for repeater use. When Duplex is selected, your radio receives on the selected channel (e.g. CH 1) but transmits 30 channels higher (CH 31). The repeater hears your signal on CH 31 and retransmits it on CH 1 for others to hear.

The Citizen Band Radio Service (CBRS) is a two-way, short distance, voice communications service that provides an affordable, reliable means of communication.

The service operates in two frequency bands: 27 MHz and 477 MHz UHF.

27 MHz is an AM transmission while 477 MHz UHF CB is an FM transmission and gives clear, crisp local communication without long-distance interference.

There are a total of 80 channels available with UHF CB, so there should always be channels free of conversation to use.

Some channels have been allocated for specific uses.

– Ch 5 & 35 should only be used for emergencies

– Ch 11 is the officially designated call channel to link up with specific people before moving off to another channel to communicate

– Ch 22-23 are designated telemetry/Selcall channels and voice transmission is inhibited as required under the standard – AS/NZS 4365.2010

– Ch 1~8; 31~38, 41~48, and 71~78 are used for communicating with repeaters, and radio must be used in duplex mode

Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) is a means by which a receiving radio will remain silent until it receives a transmission that includes a special audio tone.

As long as this tone is continuously received, you will be able to hear the person who is transmitting.

Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) is somewhat similar, but instead of sending a continuous tone of differing frequency, a Digital data transmission is added to the radio signal.

One method is not necessarily better than the other. The radios you are using have to have the same ability to send and receive the same coding signal, no matter which of the two you use.

The function of CTCSS or DCS is to keep you from hearing others, not to keep others from hearing you.

Scansuite™ is a digital scanning technology developed by GME that scans over 40 channels per second and consists of the below functions:

Open Scan: allows a group of channels to be scanned in an ascending sequence. If a signal is found, the scan will pause on that channel. During this time, you can press the PTT on the microphone and talk on the channel. Once the channel has been clear for 5 seconds the scan will resume.

Group (Priority) Scan: allows you to scan several channels for activity while also monitoring your selected priority channel every fifth channel. The receiver will continue to scan the other channels only while there are no signals on the priority channel. If a signal appears on the priority channel it will override any signals being received on other channels. If you press the PTT key at any time, the radio will transmit on the priority channel.

Netscan: enables you can have continuous uninterrupted conversations by dynamically switching to unused channels. Network Scan scans for other radios that share the same CTCSS or DCS tone. Once identified, the radios communicate on a channel until radios in the group detect the wrong code or no code at which point the radios will automatically select another unused channel to continue transmitting and receiving.

Voice Inversion Scrambler is a user-selectable feature, which makes your transmissions unintelligible to others not using the same scrambler technology, providing increased privacy.

Selcall (Selective calling) is a type of squelch protocol used in radio communications systems, in which transmissions include a brief burst of sequential audio tones.

Receivers that are set to respond to the transmitted tone sequence will open their squelch, while others will remain muted.

Selcall uses the transmission of audio tones that are recognisable to receivers fitted with a compatible decoder.

Identifies interference caused by strong local signals on adjacent channels and prevents these from opening your squelch control. Also minimises distortion of reception by fine tuning the receiver frequency to match that of the incoming signal.

A unique GME feature that is critical to the optimum performance of 80 channel radios ensuring that incoming signals remain interference free, clear, and undistorted, even if they are slightly off frequency.

Modulation levels of signals can vary considerably, resulting in noticeable differences in received volume between channels.

With the introduction of 80 channel narrowband transmissions, the disparity in audio volume increased further.

GME’s DVC automatically compensates for variations in the received audio level.

When activated, this feature provides a constant audio output level greatly enhancing the quality of reception and the simplicity of use.

Some radios feature programmable receive-only channels, allowing you to program your radio to receive (RX) transmissions from these channels, but not transmit (TX) on them.

Tail Cancelling eliminates the squelch noise burst in a receiving radio by slightly delaying the audio.

It is difficult to provide a definitive answer regarding the maximum transmission distance of a Two-Way radio, as there are so many variables.

As UHF CB radios operate on line-of-sight, the ability of a portable or mobile radio to transmit and receive an effective RF signal over a given distance will be determined by the radio’s transmit output power, antenna height/gain, and the surrounding landscape.

Yes.

TX6600S and TX6160X Handheld UHF CB Radios are compatible with AE4026.

When the BCD014 is connected to a power source (no batteries) both LEDs will flash Red > Green > Amber > OFF

Single Battery pack charging:

• When a battery is placed in the front pocket only the LED will glow red to indicate the battery is charging
• When the front LED switches to green the battery is fully charged
• When a battery is placed in the rear pocket only, the ‘rear’ LED will glow red to indicate the battery is charging
• When the ‘rear’ LED switches to green the battery is fully charged

Two Battery pack charging:
(Note: front battery always has priority, the BCD014 only charges one battery at a time).

• The front battery will begin charging indicated by a solid red LED, the rear battery is on standby, shown by a solid amber LED
• When the front battery has fully charged, the LED will switch from red to green, the rear LED will then switch from amber to red
• When both batteries are fully charged, both LEDs will switch to green

The average charging time for a BP015 battery pack is approximately 3.5 hours.

It is recommended that radios are switched off prior to charging.