UHF radio
UHF channels in Australia: 40, 18, 5 and 35, 22 and 23
Eighty channels, and most of them are just "general use". Here are the ones that are set by law, the ones set by custom, and the ones to keep off when you are towing.
Hitch & HighwayChecked 3 October 20262 min read
Quick answer
By law: 5 and 35 are for emergencies only, 22 and 23 are data only with no voice, and 11 is the calling channel. By custom: 40 is the road channel used by trucks Australia-wide, 18 is caravans and campers, and 10 is 4WD clubs and convoys. Keep chat off the repeater channels (1 to 8 and 41 to 48, and their inputs 31 to 38 and 71 to 78).
| Channel | Use | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 5 and 35 | Emergency only (35 is the repeater input for 5) | Law |
| 11 | Calling channel: make contact, then move | Law |
| 22 and 23 | Data only (telemetry and telecommand). No voice | Law |
| 40 | Road channel, used by trucks and highway traffic Australia-wide | Accepted use |
| 18 | Caravans and campers | Accepted use |
| 10 | 4WD clubs and convoys | Accepted use |
| 29 | Pacific Highway road safety channel (NSW and Qld coast) | Accepted use |
| 1 to 8 and 41 to 48 | Repeater outputs: avoid for simplex chat | Law / repeater |
| 31 to 38 and 71 to 78 | Repeater inputs: avoid for simplex chat | Law / repeater |
| 61, 62, 63 | Reserved (guard channels), not for use | Law |
When towing
Listen on 40 for trucks wanting to pass and for road conditions, and use 18 to talk to other caravanners. When a truck calls to overtake, a quick reply and easing off helps everyone. Many travellers scan both.
Emergencies
The ACMA reserves UHF channels 5 and 35 (and HF channel 9) for emergency messages only. They are not a substitute for calling Triple Zero, and emergency services do not monitor them. Misusing them can block someone else's call for help.
Do you need a licence?
No individual licence: UHF CB radios operate under the ACMA's citizen band radio class licence, which sets the channel rules for everyone. Breaking those rules is an offence under the Radiocommunications Act.
Common questions
What channel should I use for UHF?
For general chat, any general-use channel away from the repeater channels. When towing, 40 is the road channel used by trucks and 18 is used by caravanners.
What UHF channels can I not use?
5 and 35 except in an emergency, 22 and 23 for voice (they are data only), and 61 to 63, which are reserved.
Which UHF channels are free to use?
All channels are licence-free under the class licence, but 5, 35, 22, 23 and 61 to 63 have legal restrictions, and repeater channels should be kept clear.
What UHF channel do truckers use in Australia?
Channel 40, the road channel, used Australia-wide by convention. On the Pacific Highway, channel 29 is also used.
Sources
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