The short answer
Pick a leader and a tail, keep every vehicle in sight of the next, wait at junctions until the car behind appears, and agree radio channels and signals before you start. In India, the licence-free option for handheld radios is the 446.0 to 446.2 MHz band at up to 0.5 W, and anything else needs a licence.
Do
- Brief the group before you start
- Keep the slowest car in the middle
- Wait at every junction for the car behind
- Use a radio that follows the rules
- Agree what to do if someone breaks down
Do not
- Race or overtake within the convoy
- Leave a car behind out of sight
- Use high-power or unapproved radios
- Follow dust at a close distance
- Change plans without telling the group
Convoy roles
| Role | Job |
|---|---|
| Leader | Sets the route and a pace the slowest car can hold, and calls out hazards. |
| Tail | Stays last, watches for breakdowns, and tells the leader when everyone is through. |
| Everyone else | Keeps the car behind in sight, keeps a gap, and reports problems at once. |
- Brief the group: route, stops, signals, radio channel, fuel plan and who carries what
- Wait at junctions: the car behind must see which way you turned
- Leave gaps: dust and stopping distance both need space
- Look after each other: share kit, and do not leave a stuck car alone
Radios in India
According to a Department of Telecom public notice, personal mobile radio devices are permitted without a licence in the 446.0 to 446.2 MHz band, with a maximum of 500 mW effective radiated power. They must be handheld, work peer to peer, use no base station or repeater, and need type approval. The Department warned that some approved devices were being run at around 5 W, which is illegal.
- Licence-free: 446 MHz handhelds at 0.5 W. Range is short, often a couple of kilometres in open country and much less in hills and forest.
- Ham radio: needs an amateur radio licence, and allows other frequencies.
- Other bands: forum posts say a 27 MHz citizens band is licence-free, but sources disagree, so check before you rely on it.
- Check the radio: many cheap sets sold online do not stay within the licence-free band or power limit.
Radio manners
- Agree a channel and any privacy code before you set off
- Keep messages short and clear, and say who you are calling
- Do not talk over each other, and wait for a pause
- Use plain words for hazards, such as stop, blind bend or animal ahead
- Do a radio check at the start of each day
When someone breaks down
Stop the whole convoy where you are safe, check everyone, and decide together. Use your recovery kit and the recovery guide. Do not leave a stranded car without someone staying with it, and keep a record of where you are.
Pick your convoy job
Tap a job to see how to do it well.
Tap a job (6 to try)
How to handle Leading
- Your job
- -
- Details
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Common mistakes
- Using an unapproved high-power radio. It is illegal and can bring legal trouble.
- Leaving a car behind. Wait at every junction.
- Setting a pace the slowest car cannot hold. That is how breakdowns and mistakes happen.
- Skipping the briefing. Plans and signals must be agreed first.
- Talking over each other on the radio. Keep it short and clear.
- Relying on a radio alone. Have signals and a backup plan.