The troubled channel 7 repeater located in the Pentland Hills (MEL07) returned to service today on a temporary trial. A committee spokesperson said "We don't want to turn these services off, But if the abuse of the equipment that has taken place over the last 12 months continues we will have no choice" the spokesperson also said "The money we have used to keep MEL07 on the air recently has prevented other repeaters from being funded, meaning there are now fewer repeaters available to Melbourne UHF CB users than planned"
It didn't take long for users to break the silence once MEL07 was turned back on late this morning and hopefully it is here to stay.
17/2/10
- Another Blow for Melbourne users
It seems that the final nail may be in the coffin for popular Melbourne repeater MEL07. Equipment located at the Pentland Hills is being removed today for another series of repairs due to the relentless abuse of a handful of users, A committee spokesperson told UHF CB Australia today he was "Unsure if the service will ever return to the air"
This popular repeater which has extensive coverage of the Melbourne CBD has been the target of abuse by users for over 12 months and the group responsible for MEL07 as well as other repeater across Victoria say "We are tired of having to spend our time and money to keep repeaters like MEL07 on the air for people to abuse, The lack of respect and understanding on what is involved with providing repeaters, We believe is a contributing factor"
The ever increasing costs of repairs to MEL07 far outweighs the costs involved with all other repeaters that the group are responsible for put together, Which leaves one question to be answered.
Why is this repeater so different?
We all hope that MEL07 can return to the air again soon but with no incentives, and continuing abuse of the equipment by a handful of operators, We can see no immediate future for this repeater while theses actions continue.
10/2/10
- Forum Outages
Our forum partner AURFScan is currently offline due to hosting issues.
Please check back regularly for updates.
2/2/10 - Channel 3 Returns
Channel 3(MEL03) Returned to the air this week receiving new repeater equipment. The donation made it possible to return the popular service to air quicker than expected after a massive failure took the repeater off air late 2009. The upgrade of MEL03 is the first of many planned for 2010.
8/11/09 - Channel 6 Maintenance
Channel 6 (VHC8) at Blackwood Victoria is currently off the air for maintenance
The service is expected to return to service shortly
29/10/09 - UHF CB Australia Offers Free Web Hosting
With the growing success of UHF CB
Australia, We are celebrating over One
Million hits for 2009....
To celebrate UHF CB Australia is
giving UHF CB related clubs and organizations across the country free web
hosting and email addresses for their group.
All registered organizations are eligible
to apply.
14/10/09 - 2009 Mountain Radio Challenge Approaching
Planning for the Mountain Radio Challenge, Saturday Nov 29th, is well and truly underway.
Now with a station registered in the Blue Mountains, we believe will
allow us to relay our message northwards from Mt Ginini in ACT. We have
several groups in Victoria, and three in Tasmania.
The overall
objective of the MRC has always been to relay a message and reply. This is
more fun over longer distances, and with more stations, and results in some
interesting transformations of the message. This years event also coincides
with Spring WIA VHF/UHF field day, and some of these
groups will be
participating in both events.
We have two stations in NE NSW, in the
Barrington Ranges, however there is another mountain range between them and
the Blue Mountains. We may be able to relay towards the coast, perhaps by
UHF repeater. We also haveinterested groups in Dubbo, Mudgee &
Bathurst.
The MRC is still looking for people to expand our
activity, especially in NSW to help strengthen our link northwards, but also
west Victoria, as we'd like to be able to also link in to South
Australia.
Its looking like the best MRC to date, and is good preparation
for our 20th year anniversary in 2010. There have been many discussions
between members via Skype, MSN & eQSO, and also via the Yahoo
group.
The website at www.mrc.cat.net.au is
updated regularly and is the best source of information for this years event including station locations and Google Maps, and also includes the details of
times and channels,to be used on the day.
For further questions
or information e-mail tony@cat.net.au .
10/09/09 - New Channel 5 Emergency Repeater License Issued
A New UHF CB repeater license has been issued for channel 5 in the NSW rural town of Bungonia 20 km East of Goulburn.
Fundraising is currently under way to purchase suitable equipment to provide this important service to this isolated community
Donations can be made via the community website www.bungonia.net
5/08/09 - Broadcast Network Program Partnership
UHF CB Australia is proud to announce it's new partnership with The Early Warning Network (EWN) combining the UHF CB Broadcast network with EWN's Local Emergency Network (LEN).
The combination of both programs not only increases the ability of LEN Controllers to issues warnings to there local area, but allows increased observational input from sources in the area via UHF CB in times when normal communications may be unavailable
This partnership is one step forward in helping communities stay informed about events that affect them.
More details will be published shortly
15/07/09 - Abuse of repeaters
MEL07 has been switched off due to the repeated abuse and disrespect of not only the equipment, but other users of the repeater
Those in Melbourne will most likely know about the incidents that are taking place on MEL07 to make this drastic action nessasary and will not return to service until the all issues are resolved
1/07/09 - First Round Draw Closes
The 1st Round of the community repeater project has closed, submissions that make it to the next stage will be contacted over the next few weeks.
21/06/09 - First Round Draws To A Close
The 1st of June will signify the end of the first stage of applications for UHF CB repeaters in the Community Repeater Project, launched earlier this year by UHFCB.com.au
The Community Repeater project is for communities that have limited communications means to apply for a free UHF CB repeater to be provided to the area, Increasing the ability for the local community to communicate with each other for free using readily available UHF CB. There are set criteria that applications will need to for fill to be successful.
To apply for a repeater from the Community Repeater Project send an email to cbproject@uhfcb.com.au
June 1st also means the end of round 1 of the Win an Ipod competition to be in the for a new Ipod Shuffle just link your website or post a link in a public forum and register your details.
For more information on how to register visit the Win an Ipod page.
8/06/09 - VHC8 Repairs Underway
Channel 6 Blackwood (VIC) is currently off the air to catch up on maintenance and battery charging at the solar only site and is expected to return to full service on Wednesday the 17th of June. Due to consistant interference that made it nessasary to activate tone, brought forward the need for this for these works. A reminder that the tone for this repeater is 123.0 or number 18 on most Uniden and GME radios
29/05/09 - Submissions Close for the 403-520 MHz Spectrum Changes
Submissions closed this afternoon for public submissions to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for changes to the UHF band.
These long overdue changes include an expansion of the UHF CB allocation from the current 40 channels to a proposed 80 channels. With the increase of channels will also come a increase in specific allocations and channel uses.
In a submission put forward by UHFCB.com.au we suggested the following allocations for the new 80 channel network
16 Repeater Channels
16 Repeater Input Channels with no Simplex Access
8 Commercial Channels
4 Telemetry Channels
1 Call Channel
1 Road Channel
Our proposal was one designed to give every user of UHF CB radio a designated area to operate including our new commercial allocation giving business 8 channels to operate on without interference.
Disabling the ability to transmit simplex on repeater input channels on all new radios sold will significantly reduce deliberate and unintentional interference as well as equipment damage on repeater channels.
Doubling the number of available repeater channels with a reduction of minimum repeater spacings from 20 km to 10 km will allow for more flexibility in providing repeaters around the country especially in remote or isolated communities.
Details of when changes are expected to take place are not yet known
29/05/09 - Coverage Boost to the Peninsula
Last night an antenna swap was the final piece of the puzzle on Melbourne's latest repeater VHC8.
Issues that reduced the repeaters range have almost been eliminated when the owners replaced the antenna on the receive side of the equipment.
Although there are still some problems with a small numbers of communities east of the repeater site not being able to access the service the vast majority of the area now has reliable access to this valuable communications tool.
23/05/09 - Arthurs Seat All Systems Go.........
Channel 8 VHC9 has commenced live equipment and coverage tests today after its long awaited launch.
Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula is the biggest winner, but once additional works are completed the repeaters coverage will be expanded further.
17/05/09 - Two Melbourne Repeaters Return to Service
Two of Melbourne's most popular repeaters were turned back on this week MEL07 Channel 7 & VHC8 Channel 6.
Both repeaters were removed from service recently due to abuse and interference problems.
Channel 7 (MEL07) damaged equipment has been partially repaired but will need to undergo additional repairs to fix the problem completely cause by power wars on the channel over the last few months. Hopefully the problems have been resolved and the power games will stop, to prevent any additional damage to the equipment.
Channel 6 (VHC8) located near the country town of Blackwood in Melbourne's West has equipment upgrades and also CTCSS enabled due to the ongoing interference from nearby trucking companies.
Anyone wishing to use this repeater will now require a CTCSS capable radio and set the tone to 123.0, If you are having difficulties with the CTCSS tones or would like to purchuse a CTCSS capable radio please email sales@uhfcb.com.au
3/05/09 - MEL07 Off the Air
Channel 7 repeater MEL07 located in Melbourne's West, Has been damaged by excessive misuse of the equipment.
UHFCB.com.au Techs are investigating the exact cause of the equipment failure which is unknown at this time, but is believed to be due to a handful of base stations running illegal power and constantly transmitting in power games.
Unfortunately everyone loses when these games take place, not only are repeaters damaged but they can remain out of service for extended periods of time leaving communities without any viable free communications
To report CB radio misuse submit a report HERE Remember a Valid email address must be provided
1/05/09 - UHFCB.com.au Launches the Win an Ipod Competition
Link your website to UHFCB.com.au or mention our site in an online
forum and submit your details below for your chance to win one of six
New 4 Gig Ipod shuffles
The highest number of unique referrals to www.uhfcb.com.au for each
quarter starting May 1st 2009 will win a 4 gig Ipod shuffle as well as
one random winner drawn from all entries submitted by Dec 1st 2009
A special draw will take place for users who posts links in forum posts and achieve the highest number of unique referrals by Dec 1st 2009 will win.
The first stage of testing of VHC9 commenced today with limited success after only just 48 hours, testing had to be halted due to excessive interference from nearby equipment, testing will recommence once the last of the required equipment arrives.
19/03/09 - A New Home For MEL07
MEL07 was relocated to its new home today at the Pentland Hills located in Melbourne's West from its origional location at Melton. The new site is aproximatly 200m higher giving Channel 7 increased range and relyability, coverage tests will commence shortly. However early tests have confirmed the elimination of some previously known blackspots.
Channel 7 is the next repeater in the UHFCB.com.au network to recive an equipment upgrade which is expected to be undertaken later this year.
Coverage tests for channel 6 Blackwood were completed today by UHFCB.com.au technicians. The extensive testing took over a week to complete due to the outstanding reception the repeaters new location provides.
Clear contacts have been made with techs in locations as far as Bendigo, Dunolly, Geelong, Phillip Island and Traralgon. Given the wide spread area the repeater covers an accurate footprint will take some time to be documented fully.
2/03/09 - Channel 6 (VHC8) Blackwood VIC Works Completed
UHFCB.com.au technicians completed major works on the Blackwood site yesterday, returning VHC8 Channel 6 to active service.
The repeater has been offline after being damage by extreme weather conditions early February this year, repairs were further delayed for safety reasons.
Power issues that have plagued the Blackwood site have been rectified and the repeater was relocated to a new higher location. Shortly after being switched on for preliminary testing contact was made with a numbers of users more than 180 Km away in areas that include Frankston.
Local residents commented on how much this increased UHF CB Radio Repeater coverage means to their local community and the surrounding district as mobile phone reception is Non Existant in most of the area and went on to thank EMCOMM Australia and Site Access for providing the service.
When asked how many projects like this one wer being planned a spokesperson for EMCOMM Australia said "A number of similar projects are being planned across Victoria and when funding becomes available they will commence" Then went on to say that "These projects are funded from radio sales on UHFCB.com.au and if people were interested in supporting future projects they can, send an email to staff at UHFCB.com.au."
Users of the Blackwood repeater and other UHF CB Channels are reminded to keep the channel clear if an Emergency Situation arises to insure that the appropriate information can be transmitted to the appropriate persons.
1/03/09 - Total Fire Ban Declaration
Tomorrow Mon, 2 Mar 2009 & Tue, 3 Mar have been declared a Days of Total Fire Ban
for the whole State of Victoria.
No fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open
air from midnight on Mon, 2 Mar 2009 until midnight Wed, 4 Mar 2009.
For more information visit: www.cfa.vic.gov.au
26/02/09 - Total Fire Ban Declaration
Tomorrow Fri, 27 Feb 2009 has been declared a Day of Total Fire Ban
for the whole State of Victoria.
No fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open
air from midnight on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 until midnight Fri, 27 Feb 2009.
For more information visit: www.cfa.vic.gov.au
18/02/09 - UHF CB Radio and the Victorian Bushfires
As the intensity of the Victorian Bushfires dies down more stories are coming to light of how vital communications and messages were sent and received via UHF CB Radio and UHF CB Radio Repeaters.
UHF CB Radio has proven to be a reliable communication medium with people in the fire affected areas. Not only were people in these areas able to communicate with friends and neighbours, but entire communities were kept informed with information relayed via UHF CB Radio and the Victorian Repeater Network. Some reports say that the only warning they got about the fires coming towards their properties was from their UHF CB Radios, and with that information made the decision to evacuate their homes.
Stories like these make UHFCB.com.au and other repeater owners are proud to have been able to provide these services free of charge to these communities and others like them around the country.
UHFCB.com.au in conjunction with EMCOMM Australia and Site Access are looking for more communities around Victoria to that need reliable wireless communications.
UHFCB.com.au will provide UHF CB Repeaters free of charge to regional communities where other forms of communications are limited or nonexistent*, To apply email cbproject@emcomm.com.au
*Subject to funding availability and licencing approvial
17/02/09 - JRL02 Coverage Increase
JRL02 Channel 2 was moved to its new location at Jeeralang in Victoria recently, with final coverage tests almost complete. Results were very surprising with test results showing the repeaters coverage has almost doubled reaching as far as Berwick, in Melbourne's East and expected to improve even more when additional antenna works are completed.
Everyone involved with the project has been pleasantly surprised with the outcome. One person said "This is a big win for the community, we are now able to provide this service to a lot more people"
16/02/09 - Channel 4 Testing to commence
Equipment tests on Melbourne's Channel 4 Repeater (ANA04) will commence later this week prior to being turned on full time. Located on Arthurs Seat in the Mornington Peninsula will provide superior coverage to Melbourne's metropolitan area and will prove to be a valuable asset to the community. Channel 4 will join other Melbourne repeaters to return to service this year, which include Channels 3 and 7, and will surely be as successful as they have been.
12/02/09 - Healesville Repeater HLV06 A vital link to the community
Healesville a town surrounded by bush fires has been lucky to have a vital communications link (Channel 6 Repeater HLV06) remain operational.
Community members have been able to remain in contact and give important updates to each other using CB radio, in a time where mobile phone coverage is not guaranteed or networks a overloaded.
At this time HLV06 has escaped and serious damage and will remain on air during this time of need.
10/02/09 - Channel 6 Blackwood repair delays
Repairs to VHC8 Blackwood is expected to be completed this weekend, Subject to weather conditions, works will include, repairs to the Repeaters power supply, and relocating the repeater and antennas to a higher location, this will solve reception issues in some of the surrounding areas of Blackwood.
The recent hot weather and fire emergency have delayed the necessary repairs and upgrade.
07/02/09 - Channel 6 Blackwood repair delays
VHC8 Blackwood has been off the air since the 4th of January due to damage recived during the prolonged heatwave earliar in the month.
Unfortunatly due to the hot weather and high winds repairs have been delayed for safety reasons due to the limited accessability to the equipment.
It is hoped work will be able to commence mid next week with an upgrade of some of the vital componets before the repeater is returned to service.
More details about when works will commence will be announced here soon
07/02/09 - MEL07 Returns in time for next heatwave
Repairs were expedited on the Channel 7 repeater to allow testing it the 40 plus temperatures expected for today.
UHFCB.com.au radio technicians were able to repair the damage to the repeater in time for it to be re installed early this morning, however the systems power supply was beyond repair. A replacement power supply has also been purchused and installed at this time.
05/02/09 - Channel 7 MEL07 Update
Damage caused by high temperatures to the Channel 7 (MEL07) repeater in Victoria is significantly worse than first thought.
The extended heatwave not only damaged the repeaters power supply, but also the repeater itself.
UHFCB.com.au's technicians today have removed the damaged equipment and are undertaking the necessary repairs and hope to have the repeater repaired in two weeks.
A temporary repeater has been setup in place of the damaged gear to allow people to still be able to use the service.
04/02/09 - Extreme Weather takes its toll
The extreme weather that struck Melbourne over the last week has also taken its toll on UHFCB.com.au's Channel 6 (VHC8) & 7 (MEL07) repeaters in Victoria.
Both repeaters are currently offline due to power supply issues, caused by the unusually long period of hot weather.
The combination of 40 degree plus temperatures and high winds damaged some of the vital equipment supplying power to both repeaters
UHFCB.com.au's technicians are currently working on the two repeaters to return them to service as soon as possible
24/01/09 - CRJ04 Channel 4 Upgrade (VIC)
CRJ04
Traralgon will be undergoing antenna upgrades in the beginning of
February, Users should expect the service to be unavailable for
approximately 10 hours as works and other upgrades are undertaken.
More details will be provided closer to the works date
24/01/09 - ANA04 Channel 4 Works Completed (VIC)
Vital works
were compleated today for the installation of the new Channel 4
repeater at Arthurs Seat, on the Mornington Penninsula in Melbourne's
South.
UHFCB.com.au
and its partners Site Access & EMCOMM Australia plan to have
Channel 4 commissioned and operating by the end of Feburary 2009.
A company
spokesperson said "This is a very exciting time for us and the UHF CB Radio
community, Never has there been a time where UHF CB Radio users have had so
many repeaters available for use in the metropolitan area."
Over the
next month technicians will assemble and test the Phillips radio gear
before the final installation on the tower to ensure it is working
efficiently to ensure maximum reliability for users.
20/01/09 - MEL03 Repeater Returns To Service
The long
awaited return of Melbourne's popular channel 3 repeater is finally
here. The repeater located at Berwick in the Melbourne's South Eastern
Suburbs was recommissioned today after installing a new power supply
and having the transmitter realigned.
Chatter
quickly erupted soon after the repeater was switched on, breaking the
long silence that has hung over the city for so long on the channel.
UHFCB.com.au
spokesperson said "We are proud to reintroduce this service to the
communitywith the help of our partners Site Access & EMCOMM
Australia, and plan to install more repeaters accross the state as soon
as funding becomes available."
Channel 3 as the latest addition to UHF CB Radio Repeaters owned and operated by UHFCB.com.au
10/01/09 - Channel 6 Repeater Launch (VIC)
The small community of Blackwood in Victoria's Nth West, has received a UHF CB Radio Repeater for use by the local community and surrounding towns.
The Country Fire Authority, State Emergency Service, Ambulance and Police are the big winners being able to liaise with each other and the community on the equipment provided free of charge by Site Access & Emcomm Australia.
Mobile phone coverage is almost non existent in the region and this new service allows
everyone to communicate with each other using low cost and readily available UHF CB Radio
Equipment
Local emergency personal have commented on how much easier it will be
for the community and passers by to report life threatening situations
via UHF CB Radio when mobile phone coverage is unavailable, as well as making
it easier for hikers who come in to difficulty in the local forests to
raise the alarm for help should the need arise. This equipment Will Save Lives.
A spokesperson speaking on behalf of Site Access and Emcomm Australia
said 'The companies were happy to help the local community with this
equipment, and hope to help more communities around the state, but with
the
high setup and ongoing licensing and site costs, we are unable to provide as many repeaters as we would like"
UHFCB.com.au with Site Access and Emcomm Australia already provide a number of UHF CB Radio Repeaters across Victoria including Melbourne and intend to expand their repeater network when funds become available
News & Events
18/02/09 - UHF CB Radio and the Victorian Bushfires 
12/02/09 - Healesville Repeater HLV06 A vital link to the community 
07/02/09 - Channel 6 Blackwood repair delays
04/02/09 - Extreme Weather takes its toll
20/01/09 - MEL03 Repeater Returns To Service
10/01/09 - Channel 6 Repeater Launch (VIC)