what sort of uhf do you have

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

Gday Gents
I can't actually find a post on this, but I am curious as to what types of UHF radios you are using.
Also any pros and cons.
cheers

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

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

GME TX3100, it's tiny (mounted under the ash tray), good quality, provides enough features you. Only con thus far is the orange back-light doesn't suit the Prado that well.

[DAdeGroot Member Find all posts View Profile Close DAdeGroot]

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

ICOM IC-440 for me. Not really any space in the 150 series to mount a traditional headunit type UHF.

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/ Covers most of the models. IMHO most car units have similar functionality.
The main difference in signal comes from UHF antenna. They range in frequency from about 3.0Db to about 9.0Db

The 3-4.5 DB are better suited for hilly terrain like Victoria High Country. The 6.0db is better suited for big areas of flat open spaces...
I am not sure if anyone actually using 9.0Db for 4wd driving...

See page 12 from the pdf (http://www.gme.net.au/public/pdf/brochures/land_b.pdf)

Cheers,

Stan

[RogueAussie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RogueAussie]

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

Uniden SX400-RM

As long as you go with the known brands, as previously mentioned, they are all pretty alike (quality and capability). You will get some that will argue the point, I will just nod and smile to keep them happy. If you go with the lesser known brands (el chepos) then you may have problems.

Only thing you need to decide on is whether to buy a unit now for a couple hundred bucks that will give you your 40 channels, spend big bucks for a unit that can be software upgraded for the coming 80 channels, or wait for the 80 channel units to hit the market enough to make them a more affordable item.

Don't let people tell you want you do and don't need. Get a unit in the size you want (full DIN or mini DIN), get one with the handset style/functionality you want (LCD, buttoned, plain) and get one with the extra head unit functions you want. After all, youare the one that is going to be using it.

My thoughts behind my purchase were that the 400-RM is an excellent little unit and had all the functionality I wanted (and I stress the point 'I wanted' as some people just want the basics and that is fine ... for them). I figure it will do me for 5+ years until the 80 channel policy is rolled out and in full swing, at which time, if I deem it necissary, I will upgrade to an 80 channel unit. Personnally, I think the standard 40 will 'live long and prosper' as people won't be in a hurry to go out and spend big bucks on a new unit so the phasing out of the old 40 units will take quite some time. Only down side is that if you are on a trip with someone who has an 80 unit then you will only be able to communicate on 40 channels ... as we currently do anyway.

As and extra note, I had 2 or 3 units I was going to chose from. I downloaded the pdf manuals for each and read through them to see which suited me best ... may help your decision also.

EDIT: as per the above post, the AE makes all the difference. I am running a bullbar mounted GME AE4702 on a medium spring mount. I get outstanding range here in the ACT and it is excellent in the hills of the Brindies. Some will fit a couple of AE's, one for pure distance (highway driving) and the other for the mountainous regions. Don't worry about antenna matching, UHF are all good, only VHF and HF require matching/tuning to avoid bad VSWR.

Cheers

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

Gday Gents
I can't actually find a post on this, but I am curious as to what types of UHF radios you are using.
Also any pros and cons.
cheers

Hand-held UHF two-way radio

[RogueAussie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RogueAussie]

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

If you are looking at a handheld, I'd highly recommend http://www.wouxun.com/Two-Way-Radio/KG-UVD1P.htm which is capable of the VHF frequency band (as well as full UHF) and fully programable via PC. About AU$100 landed last time I checked.

[nika Member Find all posts View Profile Close nika]

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

GME3340 and GME TX680 hand held for winching, snatching etc.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

If you are looking at a handheld, I'd highly recommend http://www.wouxun.com/Two-Way-Radio/KG-UVD1P.htm which is capable of the VHF frequency band (as well as full UHF) and fully programable via PC. About AU$100 landed last time I checked.

I know a radio nuts who has one of these. Raves about it.

We have a GME TX4320 and Uniden UH049SX for when on foot but I wouldn't recommend the handheld I have as it is only 1w. Would go for a miniumum of 2w for handheld but 5 is better and should be the standard if you are considering a handheld as the primary radio.

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

GMETX4400 (single din size so easily mounts in the dash)
(also got a GME handheld)

Everyone I've spoken too, including truckies, rate GME as the best. But, make sure you pair it up with a good quality aerial

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

GME TX3340 hidden up under the dash (controls on the mic).

A couple of handhelds for use outside the vehicle and for when friends in convoy don't have their own.

[mkh Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mkh]

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

GME TX3100 mounted under the ashtray. It lasted 3 days before it died. Is with GME at the moment awaiting diagnosis.
Also have a couple of 2watt Uniden handhelds.

[pighunt Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close pighunt]

Re: what sort of uhf do you have

Running an Icom ic-400 Pro... Real nice unit with great volume