Buying UHF CB radios on eBay- beware of sellers trying to offload old 40 channel units.

[missythedingo]

I've been buying a few UHF CB radios recently and I am finding that a few sellers are trying to unload 40 channel units when the standard is now 80 channels by what I consider to be misrepresenting the product in their listing and title.

Breifly- In the olden days UHF CB radios operated on 40 channels, 1 to 40.  The standard has now changed so that there are 80 channels in use, 1 to 80, although the new extra 40 channels have been slipped in between the old 40 channels (so like making every house in the street a duplex ie 1, 1A, 2 2A etc)).

Although old 40 channel radios still work, they will be phased out and illegal by 2016, and they don't work on the new channels (41 to 80).

Some sellers are trying to palm off 40 channel radios by deliberatly not mentioning this fact in their listing, or by outrightly lying.

For example- I have found that Uniden radios distinguish old 40 channel radios and new 80 channel radios apart by adding the prefix NB (Narrow Band) to the new 80 channel radios.  So a UH720SX is a 40 channel radio, while a UH720SX-NB is an 80 channel radio. 

Some sellers are listing non-NB radios as 80 channel, or listing them with minimal detail so that only someone who knows the exact product code would realise the difference.  They also ad statements like 'current RRP on this item is $250', when in fact you probably couldn't give away a 40 channel radio now let alone get someone to pay full (current 80 channnel radio) price for one. 

When the poor sucker receives the radio and finds out he got ripped off and bought a 40 channel unit the seller can simply say ' that model number is only 40 channel, you should have checked'.  I have found more than a few sellers doing this and when questioned they say it was a mistake but don't show my question on their listing and ad that it is only 40 channel burried deep in the technical data in their listing. 

I tried to report this to eBay but there is no category for this on the 'report item' form.

I know it's 'let the buyer beware' but I don't like seeing people ripped off as I was.

If you are looking to buy any UHF CB radio on eBay, ask the seller to confirm it is 80 channel if it is not specifically stated in the listing.

[bsal6160]

Well, as you say that the old ones were only 40 channels and the news ones 80 channel, but after 2016 they will be illegal. SO you mean the first 40 channels will be illegal? If so what about the 80 channel ones? They obviously are going to use the same bandwidth channels 1 -40 just the new ones will slip in a channel in between?

If the old ones are going to be illegal then so the new ones are also going to be illegal to use?

[missythedingo]

No.

The channel width of the new 80 channels are smaller than the current 40 channels.  40 channel radios will transmit on both channels at once, ie 1 and 41.  They will cause interference to new narrow band channels.  In the example of the house numbers, you will be knocking on the doors of both 1 and 1A.

This site should have all the information you need and will explain it better than I can.  Follow the links from here if you need more info- http://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/400-mhz-changes-benefit-uhf-cb-radio-users  

[bsal6160]

No where did it state that it will be illegal to use them, just most likely unable to use them.

[missythedingo]

It does if you follow links from that page to the ACMA, but I don't feed trolls so you'll have to look for it yourself.

[phorum_junkie*]

If a seller does not mention if it is 40 or 80 then they are not being deceptive, if the buyer needs to know that information then they should ask before they bid or buy. If the item clearly states it is an 80 band then they can open an item not as described dispute. I don't see it as being any different to any other item that is listed on ebay.

[missythedingo · Accepted solution]

Nah, I reckon it is deceptive if you don't list something as pertinent to the item as what channels it operates on.  

I think it's like listing size 10 shoes and after the buyer receives it they find out it is a US 10 not Australian 10.  The buyer should have asked..... 

I wouldn't do it.

Anyway, it's out here on the forum so if it stops someone getting duped by a seller with limited morals I'll be happy.  That's enough said I reckon.

[harleyfxstc2008]

Comparing the channel alloction between the 40ch & 80ch radios there are 25 channels (+one  Data channel) shared between the two units if used in the simplex mode.

As duplex channels are dependant on operating repeaters this may reduce the available channels on a 40ch Radio but only if there is a repeater in that area.

I think you will find that the other 14 channels may become "illegal" and not the radios themselves and not available to to 80 channel users.

In the "Ancient  days" a similar thing happened when Australia went to 18 Channel 27mhz rather than using the US 23 channels 27mhz, 16 channels carried over and Australia lost some channels but gained 2 brand new channels exclusive to Australia, then the US moved on to 40 Channels 27mhz..

I do find it surprising that the "emergency" channel didn't carry over but as this is monitored by volunters and reliant on repeaters it's not the greatest radio system in an emergency anyway, your better off using a mobile phone if you have reception.

But I do agree that sellers should state how many channels are on the UHF's that they are selling.

[harleyfxstc2008]

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@missythedingo wrote:

No.

The channel width of the new 80 channels are smaller than the current 40 channels.  40 channel radios will transmit on both channels at once, ie 1 and 41.  They will cause interference to new narrow band channels.  In the example of the house numbers, you will be knocking on the doors of both 1 and 1A.

This site should have all the information you need and will explain it better than I can.  Follow the links from here if you need more info- http://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/400-mhz-changes-benefit-uhf-cb-radio-users  

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Actually, using your example you'll be having a convesation with the person in number 41 and the kid in 1A on his old 1/2 watt 40 channel radio will be interfering with your conversation, but if the kid in 1A moves a few steets away there will be no interferance.

But if the repeater goes down you may not able to hear the person at 41 as the distance is too great.

[harleyfxstc2008]

Correction, it appears the emergency channel did carry over.