Which UHF for RRS ?

[Mike_S]

Chaps

I had a look at UHF's on the weekend at the Melbourne Leisurefest & ended up being bamboozled by the salespeeps. :rolleyes:

My car already has all the wiring in the top glovebox (power, aerial cable, remote speaker) so I'm not planning on locating the radio anywhere else, doesn't seem much point. I know it's not the perfect location but for the lack of installation hassle it'll do for me. I spoke to a couple of different suppliers about the GME 3540 & ICOM 440, both seem much of a muchness, sized small enough to fit in the glovebox and priced pretty similarly (bugger all deals on at the show so no benefit to making a decision on the spot, so I'll just buy a package with aerial locally off the interweb), the only real difference was the ICOM had a massive handset in comparison for the built in speaker.

Can anyone tell me if either of these units get 'hot' when switched on ? Some of the smaller units seemed to have big heatsinks on them, whereas these 2 didn't. Any views for or against either unit ? I'm new to UHF's so I'm just a tad bamboozled.

I was also advised against using the aerial mounting I already have on the roofrack. I can't have a bullbar so it seemed like the obvious solution seeing as how it's already there, short of making up a mounting from under the bonnet. Must admit I walked away from the TJM stand when the salesdude suggested I buy a proper car, after I mentioned the lack of bullbar :rolleyes:

Help ! :p

[Disco Muppet]

GME or ICOM are generally the top two recommended brands, I've got a GME but mainly because ICOM was out of my price range :)
Both are good quality units, GME have been very good with me replacing bits under warranty, so no dramas there.
As for heat, Can't really comment, hasn't been an issue on my 3520, with the main unit under the steering column.
Then again, that side of the trans tunnel on a D2 is usually scalding :angel: :D
In the end, pick whichever as they're both good quality products :)
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Muppet

[Tombie]

What ever your choice make sure its 80 channel :)

I run a 3820 in mine (commercial version)

[101RRS]

I have the 40 channel version of the Icom 440 - the 80 channel is the 440N.

I cannot really fault it except that if you want to use all the detail functions you will have to carry the handbook.

A good radio.

You can buy a bracket from super cheap that is designed to hold a number plate and some spotties on top - the spottie holes could be used for an aerial - just would be a bit low.

Garry

[Mike_S]

What ever your choice make sure its 80 channel

Yeah, all the people I spoke to suggested that as I was buying from scratch I may as well get the 80 channel version. :)

[jonesy63]

I have the IC-440N with main unit hidden under the passenger seat and mic near driver's left knee, in my D4. With the mic extension cable - you can pretty much have the main unit anywhere within 2m or so of the mic.

[camel_landy]

Mike,

You back in the UK any time soon? I've got a GME rig in my Freelander that's not doing anything... (wrong frequencies for over here) I really liked the simplicity of the GME rig and the UHF antennas are so much easier to deal with than our (27-29MHz) CB stuff.

If GME do an 80 channel version, with the removable face, I'd go for that and mount it where they had the rigs on the G4. i.e. the rig in the top glove box. You'll probably still have the wiring there but if not, it was a neat install as the wiring ran out the back.

With the removable face, you can mount the main body of the rig further back & behind the dash somewhere. The face & mic can live in the glove box and mount a remote speaker on the LHS of the top glove box shelf... Just like they did on G4. Then, to save drilling holes in trim, use a bit of velcro for the mic, instead of the metal clips, to stop the mic rattling around when you want it out for use. ;)

M

[sniegy]

Hi Mike,
Have a look here,
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/103694-gme-tx3340-install.html
gives an idea of what i did with mine & the look of the unit.
HTH.

Cheers

[DoctorJ]

I personally went GME over icom as they are Australian made which I believe is important. The 2 units have very similar features but as stated the icom unit has a speaker in the handset however for $30 you could get an external speaker (which I don't believe is necessary) so it shouldn't be a deal breaker. For the best deals checkout Prestigecom.net.au Your No1 Australian Destination for Twoway Radio, UHF CB, GPS and Wireless Communiations (http://www.prestigecom.net.au/) you can buy bundle packages as well (cb and aeriel) and it took 2 days to arrive. This is my 2nd GME unit and haven't had an issue so far.

Best of luck

Cheers
Julian

[Mike_S]

Mike,

You back in the UK any time soon? I've got a GME rig in my Freelander that's not doing anything... (wrong frequencies for over here) I really liked the simplicity of the GME rig and the UHF antennas are so much easier to deal with than our (27-29MHz) CB stuff.

If GME do an 80 channel version, with the removable face, I'd go for that and mount it where they had the rigs on the G4. i.e. the rig in the top glove box. You'll probably still have the wiring there but if not, it was a neat install as the wiring ran out the back.

With the removable face, you can mount the main body of the rig further back & behind the dash somewhere. The face & mic can live in the glove box and mount a remote speaker on the LHS of the top glove box shelf... Just like they did on G4. Then, to save drilling holes in trim, use a bit of velcro for the mic, instead of the metal clips, to stop the mic rattling around when you want it out for use. ;)

M

Hello matey

Nope, not back now for the foreseeable, we did a quick trip back in August for a week. Thanks for the offer though :D

All the wiring & remote speaker is still in the glovebox, hence looking to fix it in there. Doesn't seem to make sense to move all the wiring around, although I'll need to replace the aerial cable as it's in 2 pieces now after I took the rack off :rolleyes:

I don't use the top glovebox for anything other than keeping the winch remote in, so fixing the unit in there shouldn't be an issue. I realise they have a built in speaker which of course I'll not hear much from, but a bit of velcro under the remote speaker and wedge it in the corner of the shelf should be OK. Bit heath robinson, but it should do.

Call me weird, but sticking it under the seat doesn't appeal and for one reason only. Getting it wet :lol2: I know I wont intentionally take it into very deep water but you-just-never-know....

[Mike_S]

Hi Mike,
Have a look here,
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/103694-gme-tx3340-install.html
gives an idea of what i did with mine & the look of the unit.
HTH.

Cheers

Cheers Pete, I've been searching for that thread for *ages*, for some reason it didn't come up on my search function !

The 3340 is much smaller than the 3540, that did surprise / tempt me a bit.

[AnD3rew]

I personally went GME over icom as they are Australian made which I believe is important. The 2 units have very similar features but as stated the icom unit has a speaker in the handset however for $30 you could get an external speaker (which I don't believe is necessary) so it shouldn't be a deal breaker. For the best deals checkout Prestigecom.net.au Your No1 Australian Destination for Twoway Radio, UHF CB, GPS and Wireless Communiations (http://www.prestigecom.net.au/) you can buy bundle packages as well (cb and aeriel) and it took 2 days to arrive. This is my 2nd GME unit and haven't had an issue so far.

Best of luck

Cheers
Julian

I can second that on he deal, on the good Dr's recommendation I bought mine online from Prestige and it was by far and away the best deal I could find, bought a GME with the controls in the handset in a bundle with an aeriel. Haven't installed yet so can't say anything about the unit, but the price and speed of delivery were great.

[Mike_S]

I'll see what I can get it for locally, think there's a place in Frankston selling them but if not I'll give Prestige a call. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Rohan]

Hey guys,

Did anyone have a close look at the GME plug & play UHF?

I don't have the need for a permanent/hard wired uhf but something better than my hand-helds would be nice when I do go away :)

I know the ariel won't be as good, but for me probably ok...

[JamesH]

Hey guys,

Did anyone have a close look at the GME plug & play UHF?

I don't have the need for a permanent/hard wired uhf but something better than my hand-helds would be nice when I do go away :)

I know the ariel won't be as good, but for me probably ok...

I'm very interested in responses to this one. I go away in a convoy once a year and just need something for car to car chat. The whole messing around in my D4 to install something permanent isn't where I want to go at this point.

[rufusking]

GME have a 5W handheld (TX6100) which comes with a small hand mic/speaker. I used one until I got around to installing a fixed unit. No issues as far as communicating with a travelling convoy. Comes with a charging dock but you need to separately purchase a cig. Plug to use with it.

[phl]

ICOM also does a waterproof handheld that has a remote mic/speaker you can add on, as well as a battery replacement (powers the unit directly rather than charging battery) that you plug into the Aux power socket.

Have a remote head GME in my current setup, but decided to go with the portable unit for the D4.

[101RRS]

I just bought extra mounting brackets for my Icom 440 and just move the radio from car to car - an I never leave it in the vehicles in case it gets knocked off. Takes about 30secs to unplug the aerial, mic, power and radio from the car and about 1 minute to put it in its cradle and reconnect.

But then my cheap $85 5w FDC handheld works quite well as well.

Garry

[NTB]

Hello Rohan,

I use a GME BX730 which is a commercial version of the GME 6100.
The BX730 may have user defined frequencies programmed. This was helpful for myself as I sometimes go to sites using frequencies outside of the Open Band.

Anyway I have found the BX730 to work well in convoys but the aerial in the weakest link.
I shall install a external aerial one day to help with this.

NTB

[Rohan]

THanks NTB, was looking more at the GME TX3100, seems to come with an external mag-mount antenna......

[rufusking]

Hello Rohan,

I use a GME BX730 which is a commercial version of the GME 6100.
The BX730 may have user defined frequencies programmed. This was helpful for myself as I sometimes go to sites using frequencies outside of the Open Band.

Anyway I have found the BX730 to work well in convoys but the aerial in the weakest link.
I shall install a external aerial one day to help with this.

NTB

A little off thread but how easy is it to program the BX (PC / software or key sequence,?). I have been looking at the BX720 and I currently run a TX3820 in the D4.

[NTB]

Hello rufusking,

I get the Communications Dealer to do it.
You let them know which Frequencies you want and they program them as requested.

Have not been back to see how much to add or change the programming.

NTB