On the show this week we start with a couple we met in Campbell Town Tasmania at the CMCA Rally. Its a culmination of all the different chapters in Tasmania.
This is an annual event that attracts motorhomes, caravans and 5th wheelers. CMCA is Australia’s largest RV club.
Ken and Vi are members of the Blue Gum Rovers chapter. They have regular catch ups where they get together, have fun, drinks, craft and play disc bowls. Disc Bowls is predominantly an outdoor game played on grass, however it can be played indoors on carpet or imitation grass as well. Disc Bowls is like Lawn Bowls (using Discs instead of Bowls), the game can be played by all ages and is commonly played by people travelling in Motorhomes, Caravans and RV’s. However, in saying that we have had several enquiries and sales from Aged Care Facilities. The younger generation are also beginning to show interest in the game. There are several Disc Bowls Tournaments which are held annually throughout Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania using these new Disc Bowls.
For this event Ken is the rally manager, so he does a lot of the organising and setting up, he also has others helping him, like maintenance, secretary and treasurer. Also your parking spot and the mapping out of the area, so when you arrive you are given a sign and a number for your parking area. It all runs very smoothly.
Also Ken organises guest speakers, there is a market, an evening bush dance, bingo, a dinner and sausage sizzle. Its a great way of meeting new people and joining in other events.
Check out the website, there are many benefits in joining, like cheap camp grounds around Australia, catchups with different chapters in each state that you can go along to, a monthly magazine that can be viewed on line,
Next on the show Phill once again catches up with Ken Wilson from Truck Friendly caravan Road Safety Program and this week he talks about communicating with CB Radios.
We have just returned from a trip and coming down the Newall Highway, we were stopped at a rail crossing waiting for the train, whilst waiting a call came over that was talking about a large rig coming, we saw the pilot car and then we communicated and found out a very wide load was coming past. if we had not had the UHF on we would not have had the prior warning to move out of the way well in advance.
See below from Ken’s Facebook page.
USING A UHF WHILE DRIVING – YES OR NO.
I recently received a comment to an article on this page that a reader was fined for using a UHF radio while driving in Victoria.
In my reply I also stated that in response to his comment, I had sort an official ruling on the use of a UHF radio while driving from Vic Roads, and that I promised I would post the reply on this page to assist in clearing up any confusion.
There are strong fines for using a mobile telephone and many other devices while driving in all states, however UHF radios are not included in the definition of a device under these legislations.
While I, nor Vic Roads can comment on any individual case, Vic Roads are very clear in their response on the legality of using a UHF radio while driving.
QUOTE from Vic Roads response to my enquiry:-
“It is not illegal to use a UHF or CB radio whilst driving your vehicle, however you still need to be in proper control of the vehicle. That means, if you are pulled over by a police officer for erratic driving and were spotted using your UHF or CB radio, then you may be fined for not being in proper control of your vehicle.
The Road Safety Road Rules 2017 does not define a CB or UHF radio as a device, so the road rules relating to the use of devices in or on vehicles, wheeled recreational devices and electric personal transporters do not apply.
The latest versions of the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 can be viewed at: https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/ by clicking “In force” and selecting “Statutory rules in force” or “Acts in force”.
END OF QUOTE
While I have not contacted all individual state and Territory roads authorities I understand that the laws are similar in all Australian states and territories.
I trust that this helps all understand and helps clear up any confusion that may have resulted from the readers comment on this page.
REMEMBER:- If purchasing a new UHF radio or tyre pressure monitors use discount code TF15 for purchases via the Oricom web site and get 15% discount off your purchase.
If buying over $100 worth of products before 30.06.23 you will also go in the draw to win 20k in gold bullion.
A great time to set your rig up for better communication and monitoring of the tow vehicle AND caravan tyres at the same time
