CB Radio help - please

[Chilly]

Hi,

I wish to buy a CB radio.

I have looked at many threads and searched over time.

However...still confused!

What is the minimum I should look for in a radio?

What manufacture are consider good and which are poor...or are they all the same?

What are good things to have?

Yes, I know it is down to budget but I dont want to spend $400 on a radio if there is a equivalent/as good as radio for $200

Aerials...another minefield?!!


Would really love to get one sorted for4 this weekends birthday bash...rather than the handheld.

Thanks

Chillly

[Lotz-A-Landies]

You pay for what you get, IMHO ICOM are excellent, GME are very good, then Uniden etc O.K.

Given that the 40 channel sets only have a 5 year life before they cant be used any more you can get deals on the 40ch sets, or you should demand a discount.

[THE BOOGER]

Both firefox and myself have icom 400 pro,s in our rovers but i have a GME that came out of mine and they are pretty good if you havnt sorted somthing before the weekend you can have a look at our icoms but they are around the $400 mark the GME was about $100 cheaper. As a straight cb the gme is very good we have the icom,s because we use them for work on a commercial channel with a repeater:)

[RangieBit]

Hey there Chilly,

As per heading, you get more from the more expensive units than you do from the cheaper ones. Bottom line is that any UHF CB on the market these days does the job.

The cheaper ones don't tend to come up to the standard of the more expensive ones. Things like build quality, materials, output tolerances and such things all tend to suffer the cheaper you go. The more expensive units will tolerate operation problems like bad (or no!) antenna connections without toasting the unit into oblivion.

I have owned and used Icom and Vertex units. These are both commercial units re (and/or de)-tuned to operate on the UHF CB band. As such they are build solidly to last. The internals are also robust to ensure the thing stays on tune for as long as possible. They also tend to be more readily upgradable due to the nature of their construction. Much easier to upgrade even an older one of these units to the new 80ch band plan. Some of the cheaper names can't be upgraded at all.

GME would be next on my list as providers of excellent units. They utilise some of the latest trends in PCB manufacture and operation. They make some very high quality compact units. IMHO not quite to the same build as the above units but its a very near thing.

I have a mixture of all three, Vertex, Icom and GME.

A lot of units these days are made under license elsewhere, typically China. Given that a lot of very high end Amateur Radio equipment is made in the very same factory as makes that CB there is no direct issue there. so, don't be put off by a "made in .... " sticker.

Having said that there are also a number of brands around that don't measure up. Less features, less robust construction, lower transmit/receive tolerances, not upgradable, and so the list goes on.

Make a list of the things that the radio needs to do for you. For example, does the radio need to be high powered because you may be on your own and need to get a signal out, or do you just need it to be able to communicate in a convoy of vehicles. Do you need to be able to scan certain frequencies/channels on a regular basis. Are security/privacy features important to you. Can it be upgraded to 80ch later if it is only a 40ch unit. Can you mount the unit somewhere simple and convenient or does it need to be flexible in its mounting so that you can locate it in awkward spots.

When you have your list of needs (not wants, please note) then go through the literature for the various radios or speak to a professional communication outlet and determine if there is one out there that does it better than all the rest.

If purchasing a 40ch unit ensure that it can be upgraded later (even cheap ones last for years with careful use!) and if not, as mentioned earlier, I'd be asking for a significant discount.

As an aside, the top quality handhelds are almost as good (typically only beaten on features) as the top fixed units. I've found a high power handheld more than adequate when connected to an external antenna.

As always shop around, as prices can and do vary considerably.

Yes indeed antennas are very much their own separate mine field.

Good luck and happy hunting.

Cheers,
Iain

[4x4shooter]

Gme have a combo antenna and radio for 450 and uniden do one for 300. Both come with a 6db whip style antenna good lil deal that one the gme one come with al the bells and whisltes and controlled threw the mic

[Yorkshire_Jon]

For me reliability was key. I went through the same pain as you are now about 6 months ago. I went for an icom 400 pro (because it can be upgraded to 80ch, but the new ones are now shipping with 80ch, whereas the other icom is not upgradable.

As for antenna, again with reliability in mind i went for an rfi cd5000.

J

[lokka]

Icom radio is the way to go you want this unit

Icom Australia IC-400 PRO 80 CH UHF CB Radio Free Delivery ICOM IC-400 PRO 80 Channel UHF CB Radio [IC-400PRO] - $388.30 : (http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index.php'main_page=product_info&cPath=144&products_id=46)

With this antenna

Uniden 3 & 6.5db UHF CB Antenna Package [AT870 EXPLORE] - $95.00 : (http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index.php'main_page=product_info&cPath=379&products_id=2719)

Call prestige they will do you a good deal if you buy them together as a package
This set up will do all you need and will last the antenna has the best of both with the 3db and 6 db whips and these fiberglass whips are way better than the stainless ones which snap off at the base of the wire stay away from wire antenas for this reason if anyone tells you different they have there dick in your pocket :D

[Lotz-A-Landies]

People are now advising you on antenna gain.

Be aware that each type has its advantages for particular terrain but perform less well in other terrain. If you are out on the Nullabor on the highway a 6db gain will give you excellent long range coverage. This is because the 6db gain gives a narrow band of propagation at 90 degrees to the angle of the antenna.

If you are in hilly terrain where you may want to communicate with someone at the top of the next hill when you are stuck in the mud on the valley floor your best antenna may actually be a 3 db antenna which has shorter range but propagates like a giant invisible doughnut around your antenna.

[lokka]

People are now advising you on antenna gain.

Be aware that each type has its advantages for particular terrain but perform less well in other terrain. If you are out on the Nullabor on the highway a 6db gain will give you excellent long range coverage. This is because the 6db gain gives a narrow band of propagation at 90 degrees to the angle of the antenna.

If you are in hilly terrain where you may want to communicate with someone at the top of the next hill when you are stuck in the mud on the valley floor your best antenna may actually be a 3 db antenna which has shorter range but propagates like a giant invisible doughnut around your antenna.

Correct this is why I mentioned that the antena i suggested has the best of both with 2 different gain whips 3db works best in the city or bush in hilly terrain the 6db works better out on the open plain and it takes 30 seconds and a small spanner to swap em over :D

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Correct this is why I mentioned that the antena i suggested has the best of both with 2 different gain whips .... :DUnderstood that lokka, but thought I'd let chilly know a little about what the different gains do. So in the end he can make a more informed decision.

[gavinwibrow]

Icom radio is the way to go you want this unit

Icom Australia IC-400 PRO 80 CH UHF CB Radio Free Delivery ICOM IC-400 PRO 80 Channel UHF CB Radio [IC-400PRO] - $388.30 : (http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index.php'main_page=product_info&cPath=144&products_id=46)

With this antenna

Uniden 3 & 6.5db UHF CB Antenna Package [AT870 EXPLORE] - $95.00 : (http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index.php'main_page=product_info&cPath=379&products_id=2719)

Call prestige they will do you a good deal if you buy them together as a package
This set up will do all you need and will last the antenna has the best of both with the 3db and 6 db whips and these fiberglass whips are way better than the stainless ones which snap off at the base of the wire stay away from wire antenas for this reason if anyone tells you different they have there dick in your pocket :D
Lokka, given your obvious interest and knowledge in this area, can you or any other wise person suggest a similar good quality "split" unit where the basics can be hidden away and only the fascia has to be dash area mounted (you know what these discos are like for space eg banging knee on brake controller - and that in an auto).
As an alternative, and given I'll also want a hand held anyway, might a pair of them (with 1 cradle?) be a viable option? I'll be looking to get both 3 and 6db aerials.
Might start another discussion?

[33chinacars]

Hi.
Icom also make a unit with all the controls & speaker on the hand piece.

ICOM AUSTRALIA: UHF CB (http://www.icom-australia.com/products/uhf/uhfcb_ic-440.html)

GME make a couple of units with controls only on hand piece.

UHF 477 MHz CB Radios | GME (http://www.gme.net.au/products/radio-communications/uhf-477mhz-cb-radios/TX3340)

Gary

[gavinwibrow]

Hi.
Icom also make a unit with all the controls & speaker on the hand piece.

ICOM AUSTRALIA: UHF CB (http://www.icom-australia.com/products/uhf/uhfcb_ic-440.html)

GME make a couple of units with controls only on hand piece.

UHF 477 MHz CB Radios | GME (http://www.gme.net.au/products/radio-communications/uhf-477mhz-cb-radios/TX3340)

Gary
Thanks Gary. Good food for thought. I'm thinking/wondering it would be nice if there were a handheld that slipped into a cradle/charger installed in a vehicle and also connected to a bigger aerial so that the unit could be used both as an in situ and as a stand alone hand held - similar concept to a hands free mobile connected to a high gain aerial?
Gavin

[33chinacars]

Hi Gavin. Have a look at these

This GME has a removable antenna. So I would think an adaptor would be avaiable to fit an external antenna. Not so sure about cradle.

UHF 477 MHz Handhelds | GME (http://www.gme.net.au/products/radio-communications/uhf-477mhz-handhelds/TX6100)

This Icom may be a better option for your needs. Also has replaceable anteena & adaptor in accessories list. As well as power 12v power lead.

ICOM AUSTRALIA: UHF CB (http://www.icom-australia.com/products/uhf/uhfcb_ic-41s.html)

Gary

[101RRS]

I have the earlier Icom IC 440 that is only 40 channel and it is a great radio with only having to find a spot for the speaker/microphone contoller.

If you do go the Icom make sure you get the IC440N as indicated in the links above - the N model is 80 channel.

Garry

[First90]

Thanks Lokka that combo antenna pack looks perfect! Ordered as soon as I saw it.
Now just to find a spot for the Uniden 7750 that I got for Christmas in my Puma.... And make up the bonnet bracket that Solmanic posted.......
Not the most compact unit but my gf was upsold.

[d2dave]

Given that the 40 channel sets only have a 5 year life before they cant be used any more you can get deals on the 40ch sets, or you should demand a discount.

Why is this? Is my 40 channel going self destruct in five years?

Dave.

[First90]

Why is this? Is my 40 channel going self destruct in five years?

Dave.
Dave,

I understood that when the 40 channel was 'phased out' in 2017 that you would still be able to use that system, only you would be stuck with half as many channels as others with the 77/80 channel systems?

Rob.

[Sleepy]

G'day Chilly,

All good advice. Personally I would go for an 80 channel UHF CB. The 40 channel units will be phased out over the next few years. Don't be tempted by people selling converted higher power units. The only legal units are the 40 or 80 channel, 5 watt units.

Antennas.
Installation and selection of Antenna is important. ( A bit like have good tyres on your 4wd). The best CB is no good without a well installed antenna. Seek out an expert and spend the money to have it properly installed - well worth the money.

Where to mount the antenna is also important. A purist would have it installed directly in the centre of you roof. A somewhat impractical spot on a 4wd (:lol2:) Again, do some research and talk to an expert. Mounting on the bullbar is most popular but will be a compromise on the effectiveness of your CB.


Antenna Gain:
Without going too technical, the comments on above on propagation patterns are dependent on length (1/2, 1/4 wave or 5/8 etc) of the antenna rather than the gain. The propagation pattern will determine what gain is available in different directions. (three dimensions). In general a 5/8 vertical has a flatter pattern than a 1/4 wave.

Different antennas will have a gain rating (measured in db) in short the higher the db rating gives you an amplification of both transmitted and received signal.

This is all theoretical and will be compromised by your limitations for positioning the antenna.


Think about how you wish to use the antenna. If it is for car-to-car convoy operations you don't need a fantastic bells and whistles antenna. If you want to talk greater than 10km then spend more on your antenna.

I would also buy a good spring mount for when you wack that low branch. Again a compromise but good insurance for your valuable antenna.

I have two antennas. A short less expensive one for 4wding and "close in ops"

Also, I take my antenna off around town. They are easily pinched and generally CB is a waste of time around the larger cities.

I also have a cheap handheld CB (pick them up for less than $40), great for winching or when you walk off from the vehicle. (Usually when someone up front is stuck :lol2:)


More reading

UHF CB Australia - News - Repeater Locations - History - Sales & More (http://www.uhfcb.com.au/)

[Sleepy]

Why is this? Is my 40 channel going self destruct in five years?

Dave.

Not quite Dave, but eventually they will change the repeaters. Tecnically, you it wont be legal to use it after 2017

2011 UHF CB Radio Changes (http://www.1xshop.com/featured-products-and-services-two.html)

ACMA - Citizen band radio stations (http://www.acma.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WEB/STANDARD/1001/pc=PC_1265)

[d2dave]

Not quite Dave, but eventually they will change the repeaters. Tecnically, you it wont be legal to use it after 2017

2011 UHF CB Radio Changes (http://www.1xshop.com/featured-products-and-services-two.html)

ACMA - Citizen band radio stations (http://www.acma.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WEB/STANDARD/1001/pc=PC_1265)

It might not be legal but that won't stop any one. I used to operate an old 23 channel 27mh cb 37 odd years ago, before it was legalised, and no ever got caught then. One would imagine it even less likely these days, as the department responsible would more than likely be under resourced.

Dave.

[RangieBit]

Hey Dave,

True enough that. I remember the halcyon days of early CB. People with all sorts of bastardized equipment operating in (and out of band).

The thing is, that was then and this is now. The equipment for detection and selection has come a very loooong way in those thirty plus years. ACMA do have a few notches in their belts with operators shutdown. Sometimes though some of these folks have more money than sense and start their nefarious activities right back up again.

From the point of view of an operator who was playing within the rules (but unlicensed back then) you weren't likely to come under the evil eye of the PMG. I think government did away with the licensing because it got too hard to police both good and proper operators and the bad'uns.

Now as to your set self destructing - while this may be a novel and potentially amusing way of rendering it obsolete - you are quite right in assuming it won't be obsolete.

It will however not be able to key the repeaters properly (if at all) and will find it difficult to communicate at distance with the NFM 80 channel sets. Between two WFM obsolete 40 channel sets - no problem with any form of communication.

Nothing lasts forever and I suspect that ACMA are going to allow natural attrition to get to all the "obsolete" 40 ch sets. Who knows what toys we'll just have to have in five years time. Who'd have thought we'd have all the bells and whistles we have now five or more years ago.

Anyway that's just my 5c worth.

Have a Happy New Year Y'all,
Iain

[Chilly]

Have finally purchased a CB Radio. An ICOM PRO400

All wired up and ready to use.

Have turned on and started to read instructions....I need a 10 year old to come and program it for me!!!!! ha ha!!

Any advise on what I should be setting up as a genreal rule greatly received.

Thanks

Chilly

[Yorkie]

Have finally purchased a CB Radio. An ICOM PRO400

All wired up and ready to use.

Have turned on and started to read instructions....I need a 10 year old to come and program it for me!!!!! ha ha!!

Any advise on what I should be setting up as a genreal rule greatly received.

Thanks

Chilly

if you need a hand tuning your tv i might be able to assist! :p

google uhf you will find the basic channels and what you can do on them.

hope your well?, suspect patch is a little bigger these days?

[Chilly]

Hey Yorkie,

Good to hear from you.....tv tuning sorted....yep! Patch is way bigger...not weighed her for a while...got to be in the 20kilos now if not more.

Hope you and family are well and enjoying life