Just curious if and what radios peeps use on the field these days? I see a lot of recommendations for the Baofeng radios but to my understanding they’re not legal in Aus cause they don’t meet the ACMA requirements here.
I’ve looked at the basic Uniden ones at JB or Jaycar but there don’t appear to be much in the way of accessories for them like there is for the Baofengs, things like ear pieces and PPT switches etc, thou I have seen some kits with very avg looking quality accessories in them.
Just something I can use to communicate with my mates and would fit into my load out.
From what I was reading you can buy baofeng in Australia off Amazon and eBay and they have already been reprogrammed to the aus standard 80 channels, any use outside of the standard 80 channels in Australia will leave you subject to fines, prosecution, jail time, etc. so baofeng may still be an option for you and are considerably cheaper that gme radios for example
While I wouldn’t operate outside the official channels (because I’m a good radio citizen), I also wouldn’t be too concerned about being fined for misuse. I’ve met dozens of boaties over the years who use VHF without a valid licence. Every second 4x4 in the Vic High Country is running a radio amp well over 5W. Enforcement is basically zero.
Agree, as long as you are not doing stupid things with them, you are fine.
I used to rely on high powered UHF for communication to locals 10klms away but don’t anymore since the mobile phone towers have been installed I use that instead. There was a couple of channels we had to stay off for emergency service use and remote switching station use I roughly remember. Channel 20 I think, so we ran on 22 and 27.
Still get some funny convos picked up from miles away, umm kids block your ears with a truckie swearing like a trooper at some clown that just cut him off
