Advice for first time CB radio buyer

[twr7cx]

I'm looking to purchase my first incar CB radio and just chasing a bit of advise from people with a bit more know and experience.

I'm looking for a unit which has a remote handset - in terms of being able to fully control the unit using the speaker/microphone handset.
I've looked at the Icom and GME, but have shortlisted it down to two Uniden units due to the significantly cheaper price (the Icom's are about 40% more expensive and the GME about 25% more):
UH400SX-RM - :: Uniden Australia :: (http://www.uniden.com.au/AUSTRALIA/p_uh400sx_RM_index.asp)
UH500SX-RM - :: Uniden Australia :: (http://www.uniden.com.au/AUSTRALIA/p_uh500sx_RM_index.asp)

Any recommendations as to which to get? My preference is for the 400 due to the smaller size for ease of installation into the vehicle. I have only identified that the 500 offers the following additional feature:
Interference Eliminator (38 CTCSS Codes)
Price wise, both are identical.

And then what antenna should I mate with it?

[mattyg]

The extra codes are handy for not being interrupted by other people as much, however the other person your talking to must have this feature as well. As far as antennas go it depends where you will mount it and what terrain you are travelling through.

In hilly areas use a low gain antenna eg a 2 - 4.5 db

In open country use a 6.5 db

Pretty much these days unless you want to cut extra holes in your roof to mount your antenna, you will need a ground independant antenna.
You will get the best reception if you mount the antenna as high as you can however you need to balance this with getting into a garage etc.
If you mount it on a bulbar it will need a heavy duty barrel spring base.

I use a 30 cm 4.5 db ground independent antenna mounted on the roof rack as it is nice and high but I can still get into carparks. And around Brisbane 4.5 db is good for the hilly areas.

[twr7cx]

I'll be mounting the antenna on the bullbar. I don't leave the roofracks etc. fixed on the vehicle so don't want it up there.

[Sprint]

tbh it boils down to where you want to mount it..... if its not in a DIN sized slot, go the 400....

is there any particular reeason you want to control everything from the microphone? i've found the remote control microphones to be annoying at night.....

might also be an idea to wait untill the 80ch UHF's get released

[85 county]

remote handset?

Na hate it. you bump buttons, change chanels and end up doing every thing you doint want to do. normal handset is better

[twr7cx]

is there any particular reeason you want to control everything from the microphone? i've found the remote control microphones to be annoying at night.....

Because there isn't really anywhere for me to mount the unit in an accessable spot. Having a handset with remote functions means I can mount it under the seat and still control it.
The Uniden models come with both a standard handset and the remote handset.

[twr7cx]

Ended up getting the Uniden UH400SX-RM with a 6db antenna for $250.00. The antenna is not ideal for hilly Tassie country, but I'll sort that out later.

[Nungarra]

They were supposed to have this up and running by now. Still waiting. But then it takes 5 years for Govt to get anything moving.....

[101RRS]

Ended up getting the Uniden UH400SX-RM with a 6db antenna for $250.00. The antenna is not ideal for hilly Tassie country, but I'll sort that out later.

I hope you got the 80 channel version - 80 channels are now in.

Garry

[twr7cx]

I hope you got the 80 channel version - 80 channels are now in.

Nah, I don't think it is.
For the additional price of the 80 channel units, and that most users don't have them at the moment, I didn't feel the need. This unit should have the main channels for me.

[twr7cx]

Here's my pictures of my installed UHF - it's mounted underneath the drivers seat where the CD stacker used to be (was gutted by the previous owner). I still haven't decided where to mount the handset, and I also want to extend the handset cable:

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/1294/p1020177.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/841/p1020177.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/678/p1020179a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/233/p1020179a.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/p1020180p.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3470/p1020182.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/855/p1020182.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2001/p1020178qf.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/p1020178qf.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/7330/p1020181p.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/825/p1020181p.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

I decided to wire it to only be on with the ignition and I added a power relay setup, even though the UBF only draws 3amps, as now it's there to power additional items in the future (such as my MadMan EMS when it arrives). The relay is a 30amp one, but I've only used 15amp wiring and fuse.

[steveG]

FWIW - I'd suggest you power it from the accessories position, rather than ignition on.
There are many times when I've had the radio on, but the engine off while other vehicles were being recovered etc, or while sitting waiting for someone.

Also, just a note about having it under the seat. If you ever happen to end up with water in the car after getting stuck in a creek crossing - the radio will be the first thing to die. Personally I like to try and get any electronic gear up as high as practical.

Steve

[twr7cx]

FWIW - I'd suggest you power it from the accessories position, rather than ignition on.
There are many times when I've had the radio on, but the engine off while other vehicles were being recovered etc, or while sitting waiting for someone.

Yeah, sorry, it is actually wired to accessories. As I sat for a while trying to decide weather to run two relays, as I only want the MadMan EMS on for ignition, but then I decided accessories and the gauge can just run too.



Also, just a note about having it under the seat. If you ever happen to end up with water in the car after getting stuck in a creek crossing - the radio will be the first thing to die. Personally I like to try and get any electronic gear up as high as practical.

If that happens then I won't be getting home, as from what I understand the ECU for the automatic transmission is about the same height on the other side of the vehicle. Also under the passenger seat is a factory fitted DVD player and the amplifier for the sound system. So realistically I probably shouldn't be doing water crossings above the floor height...