CB & UHF Radios

UHF CB is the practical way to stay in contact where mobile coverage disappears — convoy driving, farm and station work, forestry blocks, and back-country tracks. It’s licence-free for general use in New Zealand and works vehicle-to-vehicle without any network at all.

Handheld or fixed-mount? A handheld goes anywhere and is fine for short-range convoy work and walking around a worksite. A fixed-mount set has more power, a proper external antenna, and considerably more range — it’s the right choice if the radio lives in the vehicle and range actually matters.

Range is mostly about the antenna, not the radio. Advertised range figures assume clear line of sight. In hill country and forestry you will get far less. A better antenna, mounted higher and clear of obstructions, does more for real-world range than a more expensive radio.

UHF CB RADIO Buying Guide

Choose your antenna gain for the terrain. Low-gain antennas radiate in a rounder pattern that works better in hills and gullies. High-gain antennas concentrate the signal toward the horizon, which is better on flat open country and worse in steep terrain.

Mount it high and clear. An antenna mounted on a bull bar behind a steel body will underperform the same antenna on a roof or a high bracket. Height and a clear path matter more than power output.

UHF CB RADIO FAQs

Do I need a licence for UHF CB in New Zealand?
General UHF CB use is licence-free in New Zealand on the designated channels. Some channels are reserved for specific purposes such as emergency and repeater use — check the current channel allocations before transmitting.

What’s the realistic range of a UHF radio?
Advertised figures assume clear line of sight. In practice, handhelds manage a few kilometres in open country and considerably less in hills or bush. A fixed-mount set with a well-positioned external antenna will do substantially better.

Handheld or fixed-mount?
Handhelds suit short-range convoy work and moving around on foot. Fixed-mount sets have more power and a proper external antenna, and are the better choice when the radio stays in the vehicle.