[TeeBee7]

OK, since I am planning to go on a few drives this year I bought a UHF CB radio. Problem is I've got no idea how to "use" it. I know how it works, so I guess I am asking for advise or experience on whether certain channels have any significance or anything and what if any etiquette there is to be observed? Also other uses for them other than drive days.

Anyone?

Thanks in advance

TOM

[ScottyB]

We tend to tune into Channel 22 on our drives. And channel 25 as backup/alternate if 22 is being used/static etc.

Its pretty casual - no real 'etiquette'. Some turn it off if it gets banter'y anyways.

[Mini2v]

Quote: Originally Posted by tom_browell

OK, since I am planning to go on a few drives this year I bought a UHF CB radio. Problem is I've got no idea how to "use" it. I know how it works, so I guess I am asking for advise or experience on whether certain channels have any significance or anything and what if any etiquette there is to be observed? Also other uses for them other than drive days.

Anyone?

Thanks in advance

TOM

Tom

I just about live with these things on my 4WD tours, used properly, they are the best thing since sliced bread.

A couple of things to remember:-

What ever you say may be heard by any body, so don't bag other road users you jst never know.

Don't use Channels 1 -8 these have duplex use which is too complicated to explain quickly, just don't use them.

Channel 40 is known as the Truckie Channel, most truck drivers use this channel, now this can be OK for finding out about road issues but the language is appalling.

Language on just about any channel can be bad, but we should never use it on club dives, just be prepared for other users to come across you and foul mouth the airways, not good if the wife and kids are in the MINI, that's why they made a volume button.

If you have an automatic squelch button then you only have to turn on the unit and adjust channel and volume.

If you have the ability to adjust squelch turn the knob anticlockwise until this harsh hissing sound eminates from your radio, then turn it clockwise slightly until the hissing stops, this gives you maximum voice pick up, if the squelch is turned all the way to the right, you may not hear anyone.

If it is a 1 watt unit it will have about 1 kilometre range, if you have a hill between you and the next MINI, they may not hear you, if you are on top of hill and another MINI is on top of a hill 3-4 k's away they may hear you.

Keep conversations short and allow time for others to transmit.

If you see a radar or oncoming police car, call it until someone acknowledges you, nothing worse than calling a police car only to find no-one heard you and they get booked.

Whilst this one might be argued, it is best not to let a Police Officer see you transmit whilst driving, laws regarding use of two way radio could be similar to mobile phones, depending on how ugly the copper wants to be.

When travelling in a convoy on clubMINI events, radios do not replace:- good driving behaviour, or commonsense, they are not an excuse to exceed the speed limit, or not an invitation to overtake on double lines, and do not replace convoy procedure. Which is, when travelling on a drive, the car in front should always wait at any turn off or T Junction or Y Junction in a safe and visible location with their blinker indicating which way to turn, the car in front only leaves the turn off when its driver sees the following MINI's indicator come on. Then that MINI waits for the next one etc etc, this way no-one can get lost and no-one misses a call over the UHF radio advising which way to turn. Directions may still be given over the UHF radio, but always rely on line of sight.

When talking into the radio, make sure you depress the transmit button before talking and hold the Mike either in front of your mouth or to the side of it about 70mm away from your mouth, talk at normal room level, do not shout, release the transmit button immediatley after you have finished - not before, and wait for a response.

If you rely on AA or similar batteries carry plenty of spares at it will eat them quickly, if you can run the UHF off the cigarette lighter, do so, if you have a rechargable battery and cigarette lighter charger good on you, use it.

Hope this helps

Vic

[IML337]

nice writeup Vic...

The bit about bagging other road users is a good one - I've seen that happen before!

And don't get busted using an emergency channel like a mate and I did when we first got ours (emergency channels are different in different regions I think, but this was ch5 in Sydney, a while back)

[TeeBee7]

Roger all that!!

Thanks guys

[minigolf]

Good post there Vic.

[poki]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini2v

What ever you say may be heard by any body, so don't bag other road users you jst never know.

The man speaks senses. A lot of what Vic has mentioned we have discovered by accident. Especially the police bit.

Travelling back from Homebush on Sunday with Ann and Peter someone in a white magna started talking to us on our channel and telling us how nice our cars were. It is very easy to forget that you are talking to the whole wide world and that anyone can hear you. You should therefore try to avoid using your real name. (Which can be a problem if your real name is your user name on MINI2).

Thanks for the reminder, I have gotten a bit slack ettiquete wise on the radio.

[MickyD]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini2v

If you see a radar or oncoming police car, call it until someone acknowledges you, nothing worse than calling a police car only to find no-one heard you and they get booked.

allegedly someone I may or may not know, may or may not have come round a corner, while on a trip, possibly in a vehicle with a white roof, while talking on a mobile phone, and doing a speed which might have been faster than necessary, and upon coming round the aforementioned corner there may or may not have been a police car, which the person I may or may not know screamed down the UHF to a person trying to catch up in a mini that may have been EB, but unfortunately the UHF wasn't strong enough, and the EB/W may or may not have been booked

All this may or may not have allegedly happened on a hypothetical trip to a former whaling town

maybe.

or maybe not.

[TeeBee7]

Quote: Originally Posted by poki

(Which can be a problem if your real name is your user name on MINI2).

So does anyone know if it is possible to change my username or do I have to register again?

[Magictux]

Quote: Originally Posted by tom_browell

Roger all that!!

Thanks guys

and don't say ROGER....Roger? What's your vector, Victor?

[ScottyB]

Quote: Originally Posted by tom_browell

So does anyone know if it is possible to change my username or do I have to register again?

You could make a request to Moderators/Paul Mullett and you should be able to get a username change. If you ask nicely

[Magictux]

Quote: Originally Posted by tom_browell

So does anyone know if it is possible to change my username or do I have to register again?

You'll have to speak to your parents about that!

[minigolf]

Quote: Originally Posted by Magictux

and don't say ROGER....Roger? What's your vector, Victor?

Over Roger, or is it Roger Over.

[poki]

I know its possible Tom - have a word to Paul Mullet

Thems some story Micky. Would I know the people you could be talkign about?

[TeeBee7]

Quote: Originally Posted by Magictux

You'll have to speak to your parents about that!

My Dad says its fine.

[Magictux]

Quote: Originally Posted by tom_browell

My Dad says its fine.

So I guess it will be Tim now?

[TeeBee7]

Quote: Originally Posted by Magictux

So I guess it will be Tim now?

Tim for short

TimTamTheChocoholicMadMiniManiac

[Todd!]

Hey Tom...

I have made a few trips up the Hume and the UHF has saved me a great deal of heartache and expense!!

Bung it on Channel 40 and you get free cop watch...

You will learn the calls:

Pigs in the Stables - Police are at the station.
Flash for cash - Speed camera.
Double Bubble - Mobile radar.

Im sure Vic could fill you in on a few more...

Last time I was heading up the Hume late on night I had a great old chat with a couple of Truckies about the MINI, they loved it, wanted to know where I was going. I slowed down and let them have a look, before heading on my merry way again...

On the way home I was speaking to one truckie and another got the shytes with me so he started to HIGHBEAM me with all his Driving lights for slowing him down in a 110 zone when I was doing 115 already. I gave him some stern words and he lost his shyte then told him to come and catch me... If he wants to talk trash, I can play on his level - heck I am trash!

Turns out he was driving for a family friend (who owns an extra extra large truck company) and he got a good speaking to when I let him know what truck it was

Todd

[Smurfn]

Thanks for the tips

[aussiesupermini]

funny story re radio transmission

one way home from homebush as kerrie said we were doing a three car rally up the expressway while we were casually chatting when we were interupted by another driver to tell us how nice our cars looked.

But as this was my first trip with fellow mini drivers on the expressway in my new convertible, you suddenly realise just how loud all that wind is and then you pass the huge trucks and you cant hear yourself think. I could of put the roof up but who wants to stop and a convertible with the roof up on a sunny day, well that just wont do.

So anyway whilst driving kerrie, peter and i are chatting and with all the noise i didnt know who kerrie was talking to but felt guilty as i couldnt hear much, just hope she wasnt trying to tell me something important. So was very relieved to hear that i wasnt rude ***** afterall, sorry kerrie. Sorry but allowed one blonde moment sometimes but not often, ok.

So as vic said u never know whos listening.
damn big brother

cheers

ann