Do I need Uhf cb radio?

[Peter07 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Peter07]

Have a question to those of you who have a bit of experience with travelling in the outback.
Is UHF CB radio necessary equipment for emergencies?
We are going to travel alone (July / August) and the most remote areas we’ll venture to will be Oodnadatta Track, Tanami Road and Gibb River Road.
:?

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

YES!!!

Short answer, yes. They are so cheap and easy to install, it's worth having one. I don't know if they are the sort of thing for emergencies as it depends on who is within range, but they sure are convenient. For emergencies I'd rather reply on something like a EBIRB or HF radio.

Most farmers run UHF. Most 4WDers run UHF.

If you don't want to bother with installation, get a decent handheld - at least you can use it from car to car if the need ever arises.

Drew.

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

Re: Do I need Uhf cb radio?

UHF CB is more for communications between other vechicles. While it could be used sometimes for emergiences - You should not relay on it...
The proper in-car UHF would be OK in some areas as they got duplex channels for emergiences... hendheld uhf (except 5W ones) won't have enouth power to send receive for long distances...

You can hire Satelite Phone and/or get EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) ....

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

I have a UHF fitted to the car and carry another 2 handhelds.

It's good in-car entertainment when there's nothing but crap on the radio.
It's great for car to car comms on a trip - or to have someone out of the car picking the right lines and relaying them back via the handheld.
I also spend most holidays out at a mate's farm - where everything (even the kitchen cupboard) is fitted with a UHF radio. :lol:

But for remote travel I would add an HF radio or Satphone plus an EPIRB.
I'm only new to this game and haven't even thought about a "Gunbarrel" type trip yet - but I would be thinking an EPIRB is cheap security and, if I don't do this sort of travel that frequently, then I would hire a Satphone.

The UHF simply doesn't have the range to reliably extract you from trouble. Think of it as a good insurance policy - know how to use it but hope you don't have to.

Cheers
Chippy

[PeteS Member Find all posts View Profile Close PeteS]

Hi Peter07
My thoughts are that a UHF is very handy for all the reasons already mentioned. If you strictly stick to the major tracks then I do not see a "must have" need for one.

The tracks you have mentioned are well trodden these days. I do see a need if you deviate off the track or explore an uncommon track where others are not likely to come upon you. If you roll a vehicle or break down then a UHF or greater is good insurance on the bangs for bucks scale.

I think just the fact you can communicate on general road conditions with the likes of truckies re overtaking etc is well worth it let alone the safety factor.
Cheers
PeteS