Handheld UHF selection criteria

[Don 130]

Greetings all, I'm looking to replace about six very old uhf handhelds. Most are playing up now and some not working. They belong to a volunteer group i'm attached to. I'm thinking getting some from either china or hongkong, so am I right in thinking I need to look for 12.5MHz channel separation, UHF frequency capacity to cover from 476.4250 to 477.4125. Anything else? The little FDC jobbies from 409 shop
1 x BLACK 5W UHF FDC CB RADIO FULL RANGE + Earpiece - 409SHOP LIMITED (HK) Radio Wholesale (http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=102827)
(which I have myself) seem to be along the lines of what I'm after. Don't need dual frequency, but do need user programmable, robust, good price and reliable.
Don.

[superquag]

Being a card-carrying Luddite.... I would not recommend the Baofeng UV-5R for technical twits such as myself, simply on the basis of being difficult to program (even with the purchased -cloned-cable).
- The savings I made in the purchase.... $56 or so, were well and truly eaten up in time wasted (and hair pulled out!) in getting it up and running.:mad:
- I finished up by entering all 80 UHF channels manually.....:eek:


The WOUXAN seems to be better supported here.

Anyway, the one in your link is only 40 channels. Why not go for the full 80 ?

[101RRS]

Anyway, the one in your link is only 40 channels. Why not go for the full 80 ?

They can be programmed fpr 80 channels if you buy the software and cable for a few extra dollars.

Garry

[Don 130]

I found the FDC radios actually have 99 channel capacity and so I programmed the 80 channels myself manually. There is a handy feature in them where you can set the first channel then each other in 12.5MHz steps.
Don.

[Don 130]

Can anyone confirm these ones are ok to use here in Oz?

4 UHF Transceiver Australia 80CH CB 2 WAY Radio 5W Walkie Talkie Free Headsets | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-UHF-Transceiver-Australia-80CH-CB-2-way-radio-5W-Walkie-talkie-free-headsets-/181130585354?pt=AU_Electronics_Radio_Equipment&hash=item2a2c39650a)

Don

[weeds]

i would go the one in your first link.......providing it the same freq as our 40Ch

wouldn't be too bothered with the 80Ch units.....i reckon my existing 40CH is going to be around for 10 years plus therefore when i'm travelling with others the extra 40ch on their 80Ch unit are of not much use

i'm yet to have a problem finding a ch on my 40 when touring

[Don 130]

When I got my GME (truck)unit upgraded to 80 channels, the technician at GME told me the transition period for the changeover was 5 years. I don't know what will happen at the 5 year mark, but I was left in no doubt that new purchases should be 80 channel.
What I want confirmed is exactly what makes a particular radio suitable for use in Australia with our 80 channel system.
Don

[ProjectDirector]

I am in the market for a couple of handheld units to share with my brother-in-law and we are out with families and need to communicate between vehicles, while we are bushwalking and also to use to communicate with other 4wd around the area in case of distress.
I have seen Uniden, ICOM, GME and Jaycar version(5W 80 Channel UHF Transceiver - Jaycar Electronics (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=DC1065&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1048#6))

I am no expert in Communications so I would appreciate some advice please.
Any recommendations?
Cheers

[Don 130]

ProjectDirector,
I'm leaning towards these:
1 x BLACK 5W UHF FDC CB RADIO FULL RANGE + Earpiece - 409SHOP LIMITED (HK) Radio Wholesale
Reasons being, a good price, easily available spares and accessories, they're robust (military spec chassis etc) They can easily be programmed with aussi 80 channels, I've already got a couple and they've been good, and nobody has come up with a better suggestion considering for my current requirements, I don't need dual frequency.
Don.

[ProjectDirector]

ProjectDirector,
I'm leaning towards these:
1 x BLACK 5W UHF FDC CB RADIO FULL RANGE + Earpiece - 409SHOP LIMITED (HK) Radio Wholesale
Reasons being, a good price, easily available spares and accessories, they're robust (military spec chassis etc) They can easily be programmed with aussi 80 channels, I've already got a couple and they've been good, and nobody has come up with a better suggestion considering for my current requirements, I don't need dual frequency.
Don.

I guess for $70 is not a lot to lose. I will consider this but I dont generally buy things from web, got stung once with credit card and not too comfortable doing this. Thanks for the recommendation.

[ProjectDirector]

ProjectDirector,
I'm leaning towards these:
1 x BLACK 5W UHF FDC CB RADIO FULL RANGE + Earpiece - 409SHOP LIMITED (HK) Radio Wholesale
Reasons being, a good price, easily available spares and accessories, they're robust (military spec chassis etc) They can easily be programmed with aussi 80 channels, I've already got a couple and they've been good, and nobody has come up with a better suggestion considering for my current requirements, I don't need dual frequency.
Don.

Don

When you talk about easily programming with aussie 80ch, what does it involve? Pardon my ignorance, I am familiar with CB radios.

Cheers

[Don 130]

I was able to select 12.5 MHz channel separation, then starting at the frequency for channel one (476.4250 MHz ) advance through all 80 channels naming them as I went along. There is an easier way. Get a programming cable with your purchase of the radio(s) and programme through the computer. The frequency list is on the web.
Have a read of this as well
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/communications-car-audio-electronics/31467-uhf-cb-frequencies-usage-chart.html

Don

[Don 130]

I was able to select 12.5 MHz channel separation, then starting at the frequency for channel one (476.4250 MHz ) advance through all 80 channels naming them as I went along. There is an easier way. Get a programming cable with your purchase of the radio(s) and programme through the computer. The frequency list is on the web.
Have a read of this as well
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/communications-car-audio-electronics/31467-uhf-cb-frequencies-usage-chart.html

Don

I should add that as my radios already had the 40 channels, all I had to do was put the other 40 in between them.

[RangieBit]

G'day Don,

I share your view on the FDC units. I don't own one myself but have dealt with a few and they seem quite robust.

These units are pretty easy to program if the software is readily understandable, and I've seen some crap editions out there.

I do hope you meant 12.5KHz earlier as not even TV channels have a 12.5MHz separation typically.

Also be sure to set the transmission mode to Narrow FM otherwise all that good work to put all the 80 channels in the existing spectrum will be undone when the radio deviates over the neighbouring channels during transmission.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Cheers,
Iain

[ProjectDirector]

Thanks for the good info, I will find a way to buy these somehow!!

[Don 130]

Thanks Rangiebit, Yes I did mean kHz, and I'll check the transmission mode setting as well, though they've been working ok with others. I'm learning as I go.
Don.