Is the GME Electrophone TX3500 a good UHF?

[schnitzel_german Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close schnitzel_german]

Hey guys,
I really dont know alot about UHF's and what to look for, but I have done some research and found some good info.
How good is this unit and has anyone got it?
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index....oducts_id=3041
And what would be a good Antenna for it?

Seems pretty well priced too.
Feedback would be great

[kieranu Member Find all posts View Profile Close kieranu]

Looks like it would do the job depending on how you plan to mount it. Antenna wise it depends on what terrain you are covering. If you mostly do beach I'd lean towards 6 dbi, if you are doing more rock hopping / bush then maybe 3 to 4.5 dbi.

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

GME, Uniden and Icom are good radio's.

When choosing an antenna a ground independent antenna is what you need to look for unless you are going to drill a hole in the centre of your roof... I think not.

Secondly your antenna needs to clear your roof by at least 100mm otherwise you will degrade your signal.

Thirdly is the 'dBi' (dB) of the antenna. The lower the number the better it is for hilly terrain. The higher the number the greater the distance you will achieve, and

last of all is the construction of the antenna. Metal whip antennas tend to wobble a lot. Some fibreglass antennas just shatter with too much vibration.

The following is what I have ordered.

1. Icom UHF IC-400 Pro. This is a commercial radio which has better receive capabilities than your standard UHF radio's. I can also program this radio.

2. I have selected two antenna's. They are made in Brisbane by ZCG, are heavy duty and bull bar mounted. First one is for hilly terrain (and around town) and has a dBi of 6.6 (about 4.5dB in the old scale). It is 1.2m in length and is black. Having a black antenna means you won't notice it much when you are driving. The second one is a 8.1dBi (6.5dB approx) and is 2.1m long. These antenna's screw on and off the base. The 2.1m antenna will also be used as a sand flag. Just need to make up a flag.

You need to shop around for prices as I found a big difference in price with both antenna's ($229 - $380 for the 2.1m antenna). The best deal I got for the above was from the following mob in NSW:

http://www.atrc.com.au/

The radio, two antenna's and shipping to Darwin was $784.

Winston.

[kieranu Member Find all posts View Profile Close kieranu]

I've got this antenna because it fitted my existing mount - seemed to work as well as anyone else's near the end of a 17 car convoy at the powerlines trek. Mine is mounted on the engine bay and clears the roof just fine.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/280547873...#ht_642wt_1163

Since you presumably don't have an existing mount this should work just fine:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/280917782...#ht_1332wt_931

or this if you want a bit more flexibility

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Elevated-...ht_1492wt_1163

Why pay more.

[pete8205 Member Find all posts View Profile Close pete8205]

Hi I have a gme uhf similar to above about 6 year old in its third car now and Ive got gme fibreglass antenna.
never an issue with either they work well I went the fibreglass antenna as I like the look and you can unscrew the antenna from the base, however if your main use is convoy with mates etc nearly any antenna will do the job
the price looks good too

[Si & Rae Member Find all posts View Profile Close Si & Rae]

Brought my TX3540 through these guys and they were very helpful with antenna selection. I would either go in and see them or give them a ring. They will match their online pricing in store.

Have a look at their bundle packages as I believe that these are ones recommended by GME.

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index....ndex&cPath=375

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Descriptive titles will aid in getting additional responses... title updated.

[schnitzel_german Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close schnitzel_german]

Thanks for all the help guys, very much appreciated

[Wazza2 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wazza2]

I've had a TX3500 for 6 monnths. Works fine for what I need so happy with my purchase.

I paid about $50 than the kit advertised here and also got the same antenna I think. Still using my 20 year old antenna so can't comment on that.

Only thing with the UHF itself is some of the shortcuts to special functions are hard to remember if you are not using it regularly. I think I'll laminate a card and leave it in my glovebox. e.g. to use CTCSS and cut out the swearing truckies when around town. Sometimes you just can't find a clear channel and CTCSS is useful to save the kids ears!

[schnitzel_german Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close schnitzel_german]

Awesome, glad someone has the same unit.
still deciding on whether to grab it though...
The swearing won't bother me, don't have any children, but thanks for the heads up.haha.
On what grounds did u make the purchase?

[Wazza2 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wazza2]

That should have read $50 more than the kit you're looking at.

Bought it because it was compact and did the basics. Expected I'd get a reliable unit buying GME. I didn't want remote head type, no real reason. The ones with controls in the hand piece also weren't my thing. Too small and fiddly when you are changing channel etc I thought.

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

The 3500 is great.

I run two 3520s in the prado and can't complain.

We've always used gme and never had any problems (which weren't rectified quickly anyway.)

The remote ones with buttons on the mic are a ridiculous idea: I had two and got rid of them quick smart.

[schnitzel_german Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close schnitzel_german]

So I decided to go with the TX3100
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index....oducts_id=2886

All fitted and working great...

Reason for choice was simply because it will mainly be used for general uses like convoy's with mates... So a cheaper smaller unit was the go.

Fitted it in the space where the ashtray goes, see ya durry pit...