Radios - UHF

[faffa Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close faffa]

Hi,
My first new vehicle ever and I am currently fitting it out for a trip around Australia with the family.

I want to add a UHF radio to my Prado 150. I have looked at both GME and Uniden. Both have smaller models that can apparently be fitted under the driver's seat, and then have all the necessary control buttons right on the handpiece.

Anyone got a view on the positives/negatives of this type of setup? Any views on which brand might be better, and why? Thanks in advance.

_____

[Ryzz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryzz]

Re: Radios - UHF

Hi,
My first new vehicle ever and I am currently fitting it out for a trip around Australia with the family.

I want to add a UHF radio to my Prado 150. I have looked at both GME and Uniden. Both have smaller models that can apparently be fitted under the driver's seat, and then have all the necessary control buttons right on the handpiece.

Anyone got a view on the positives/negatives of this type of setup? Any views on which brand might be better, and why? Thanks in advance.

_____

Go the GME TX3340, sit the control unit under the heatbox/radio/center stack, mount the mic/controls next the the radio with some double sided tape. I have this setup in my 150 and it works a treat. If you have a look, davidsford did a really good write up on how to install the GME TX3340, including what panels need to be removed, etc.

[Crisp Image Member Find all posts View Profile Close Crisp Image]

Re: Radios - UHF

I fitted an Icom IC-440. Got it for the same price as a GME. The difference is the speaker is also in the hand piece so you dont have to have it up loud to hear it.
You will have to know someone to get such a good price.
Works well too.
Regards
Crisp Image

[JoshF Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoshF]

Re: Radios - UHF

I would spend the most amount of time considering the antenna and its mounting as this will make or break any unit.

I would consider most mainstream UHF radio brands fairly similar in capability (features sets are user differentiators/choices).

A great radio with a poor antenna is a poor setup as you will not get full strength/value from the investment.

[A10 Member Find all posts View Profile Close A10]

Re: Radios - UHF

I have also been looking at getting a radio but was concerned about the changes to the narrower bandwidth and extra channels being introduced by the ACMA over the next few years. I have been trying to get some info from the manufacturers about what the impact is on existing radios but none have been able to answer my questions yet.
I understand that the ICOM 440 may be able to be reprogrammed for the 80 channels at the 12.5kHz bandwidth when it is introduced so I am considering it. Unfortunately its scanner functions don't cover the frequency range I want whereas the GME 3440 does but I don't know if it is reprogrammable. I'm still waiting for a call from GME.

[dereki Member Find all posts View Profile Close dereki]

Re: Radios - UHF

From what I gathered, the ACMA is just going to split the current non repeater frequencies in half which means everyone who hasn't upgraded to 12.5khz bandwidth will just blast over 2 channels. Given the number of current UHF radios I think the transition is going to take a while, and even after it is done there will be a lot of people who don't bother and just keep on using the old 25khz radios.

The current ACMA time frame is 5 years after the implementation begins.. whenever that is... its still in discussion phase. Unfortunately the CB channels come under the much wider 400Mhz regime which includes government channels and commercial licensed channels, so the process is long and drawn out.

So IMHO its going to take a while (at least 5 years) before the current CBs are outlawed so I would just buy whatever now and have a good excuse to upgrade in a few years

I think the ICOM 440 only has a reprogrammable receiver.

D

[A10 Member Find all posts View Profile Close A10]

Re: Radios - UHF

Thanks Dereki.

I finally got some feedback from GME today and it generally agreed with what you said.

What he also said, as did a telecommunications colleague from work, was that for a 25kHz radio receiving from a 12.5kHz radio, the only likely effect would be reduced volume and for the other way around, there would be the possibility of some distortion due to clipping of the signal outside of the 12.5kHz band. He did suggest however that even the 25kHz radio didn't normally use anything like the full bandwidth so the real effect would likely be nothing.

Apparently, the ACMA are still consulting about some details so it is unlikely to be fully fully implemented for at least 5 years.

Some existing radios may be able to be flash upgraded and others may be able to be upgraded with new hardware.

Given all this, it seems the answer is just to get whatever you need now and see what happens in a few years time when you can probably just upgrade it.

[faffa Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close faffa]

Re: Radios - UHF

Thanks for the feedback, looks like I will opt with the GME TX3340.

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

Re: Radios - UHF

I also am looking at the TX 3340. They seem to go for a bit under $400 on ebay. Can anyone suggest cheaper places? Arb have quoted $190+ GSt to fit. Is this reasonable (I really don't want to try doing it myself), or would an auto elec be a better option?
here seems to be many choices for antennas. What do you guys suggest to be a good value all rounder?

[davidsford Member Find all posts View Profile Close davidsford]

Re: Radios - UHF

I have a 3340, check my build up thread, they aren't that hard to fit if you want to give it a go and save yourself some $$$. If you are not confident in soldering (for the Aaerial) then just have everything in place and then go to an auto electrician just to solder the end on the aerial, same thing with the battery connection. If you save some time by having everything in it's place ready to connect up then the costs should be even cheaper.

The aerial I have is a GME AE4012K2 and it seems to work fine.

I got mine at a staff discount price through someone I know so can't comment on price.

Cheers
Dave

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

Re: Radios - UHF

Purely from a convenience point of view the models with mic control are a lot easier
to install.

From a practical point of view I prefer the units with a remote head you can then still use the radio
to listen to the road conditions etc while travelling but don't need to have the mics plugged in so
I can throw them into the glove box, much tidier without all the mics hanging around. Mind you
I do have three radios installed. If I know I'll need to transmit often then I hang the mic up.

Cheers
LeighW

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

Re: Radios - UHF

"I finally got some feedback from GME today and it generally agreed with what you said.

What he also said, as did a telecommunications colleague from work, was that for a 25kHz radio receiving from a 12.5kHz radio, the only likely effect would be reduced volume and for the other way around, there would be the possibility of some distortion due to clipping of the signal outside of the 12.5kHz band. He did suggest however that even the 25kHz radio didn't normally use anything like the full bandwidth so the real effect would likely be nothing."

From my experience as a amateur radio operator I would not totally agree with the comment above, yes a wide band receiver will receive the narrow band signal
and it will be at a considerably less volume level and very "tinny" in sound quality. This would probably make it difficult in a convoy situation with a mix of
old and new as you would be continually changing the volume setting on the radio.

With regards to the narrow band receiver receiving the wide band signal, you would most likely not get any audio at all unless
the transmitter is very far away and even then the sound would be very distorted.

cheers
LeighW

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

Which UHF

Hey All,

looking at installing a UHF to my 150, have been tossing up between the Uniden UH7760NB and the Icom IC440N, can anyone provide me with any pros and cons for both units, and also i have no idea about which ariel to match it up with, i have previously had the GME unit which was bullet proof, but i don't like the fact that the speaker is not on the handpiece on the TX3345 unit.

i am also chasing ideas on where to mount the unit away from airbags and the like, i like the idea of mounting it under the centre console and would appreciate any feedback on where others have mounted their units.

thanks

Diksta

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

The biggest con with the Icom IC440N is the cost, the Uniden UH7760NB can be had for as little as $244 "buy it now" on eBay. The Icom IC440N on the other hand will set you back ~$400 mark.

I have an IC440 currently and it's installed under the centre console, works fine there. I'm changing over to the UH7760NB for the 80 channels plus to match up with my handheld (controls pretty much the same, etc). I can't give you much feedback on the install as I didn't do the Icom and haven't had a chance to try the Uniden yet.

[CarindalePrado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close CarindalePrado]

Hi Diksta,
Can't give feedback yet, but the other half got me a Uniden UH7760NB for Xmas. Just been waiting for the bullbar purchase before fitting. Have just purchased that and gets installed in three weeks, so can let you know how it performs soon. have had Uniden in the past and have worked well, and seem good value for money.
The base unit is very small, so expect it will install under the dash relatively
easily. I agree with mounting in behind the centre console, that was my plan.