UHF Radios

[VladTepes]

Hoping someoene can help with info/feedback to help me select a UHF CB radio.

Would I be better off going for a straight UHF CB (cheaper) a UHF/27MHz CB (not cheaper) or a UHF CB/ Emergency Service Scanner (fun, and since I don't have a radio - possibly entertaining).

Is there any real need for an 'old school' (27MHz) CB in addition to a UHF one?

Uniden or GME ?

Any personal experiences would be helpful to me in making a decision. Cheers

VladTepes

[Mick-Kelly]

Id go with a straight uniden uhf, no one really uses 27meg anymore. Dont worry about the scanner gimmick as Police and Ambos have recently gone over to digital networks so you wont hear anything, but possibly fireies.
cheers
Mick

[Phoenix]

I can't seem much need for more than one radio.


As for brand, i've heard more people praising the GME radios than the uniden ones.

[DiscoRob]

G'day VladTepes,

I've had both Uniden and GME UHFs fitted to the Disco at various times.

We borrowed a GME for our big trip in 2002 and since then I've actually bought a UHF for myself (Uniden). I got Uniden because it was 'on special' and cheap, but it it wouldn't have bothered me if it was the GME on special..

They're both fine, in my experience. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

Regards,

Rob.

[VladTepes]

Wasn't suggesting >1 radio but some sets (the more $$$ ones) have several functions combined in the one set.

Would any clubs stilll use 27MHz for convoy comms or would they all use UHF ?

Yep, Phoenix, the GME are Aussie built and have good service backup, so I am led to beleive.

[Phoenix]

I'm looking to get one, when the money premits.

Most clubs that I know of operate on UHF, don't know which band, probaly 447 mhz

[Timmo]

I know you are probably wanting an installed unit....which i would like to get sometime as well. At the moment I just use a hand held UHF, great for convoy operations. Also good to dial up ch40 on the highway and talk to the trucks - have been saved from a few speeding fines thanks to warnings from truckies.

The big advantage of the handheld, is that I can hop out of my car with it, which is great when directing a recovery operation, or just doing some exploring on foot.

Having said that, I will one day get a UHF installed in my rig, mostly coz i would like an aerial hanging off the bullbar. Mates who have both seem to never use the old CB.

[lewy110]

I have the gme uhf and it works a treat. It is the 3200. I like it because it is small and fits in well plus has fairly good range when hooked up to a gme aireal. I have am as well but never use it, my dad gave it to me so I fitted so I could have an extra aireal.

[Phoenix]

Originally posted by lewy110
.... so I fitted so I could have an extra aireal.

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif When I get finished with grover I will have at a minimum 4 BIG antenas, but none will work with the radios without a bit of work. Damn army antenaes style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[Mick-Kelly]

Gotta love the FFR landies. Have you got the Larkspur equipment or the later yank stuff.
cheers
Mick

[Phoenix]

At the moment, none.

But it would have been fitted with the later yank stuff.

I probably won't spend the $$$$$'s chasing radios, but I will chase the antenaes, when I have some cash style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[VladTepes]

Originally posted by lewy110
I have the gme uhf and it works a treat. It is the 3200.

Yep, came to the same conclusion myself, and purchased a GME3200 today.

Thanks all.

[one_iota]

I run with a Uniden UH077 UHF (House Brick) and a roof gutter mounted 6db ground independent aerial. It has not let me down and everyone that I speak to says that that I am "loud and clear".

As the antenna is gutter mounted the 6db can be replaced with a 10cm 1/4 wave length (3db) to deal with day to day car park clearance issues.

I also have a handheld Uniden (0.5w) with a vox head set unit for out of car communication. The batteries are 2 years old and still on full strength.

[Michael2]

I've just aquired a Uniden UHO75. This is a handheld unit with 5watt output. It is a marine model with land frequencies and so is water proof. It has scan, group scan, ctcss, ctcss scan, and a heap of other features. What's more it is now the same size as the "toy" UHF radios sold in electronics stores (0.5watt output). The whole radio is basically the size of a hand mic. for an in car CB. Given it's durability, long battery life and abundant features, not to mention portability, I think it's hardly worth considering a large unit now a days. A remote mic. or voice activated head piece is available and it can be plugged into an external antenna.
Price is <$500.

Michael2

[duff]

Another brand to consider is the i-COM range. We just invested in several set ups for our work vehicles. As a package of warranty, contsruction, and features, this range of goods caught our eye. We got them thru Austek communications in Cairns.

[Bushie]

Have a look at the Icom IC400 Pro around $400

Normal 40 channels CB + 88 channels you can get programmed to receive or if you have a licence TX @ 25 watt.

We are just about to order 45 for work


Bushie

[Turtle61]

I had GME 3200 radio in my Turtle and was planning to fit a cradle into the Flander as they can be removed quite easily... so I had mine sitting in my spare room... until our apartment got broken into and it went... it was shortly before leaving for Geneva...

But, I thought it was a good unit and solidly built - small, compact, Oz made and survived Cape York and other wet moments style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

Not cheap but I thought it was worth it... probably get the 4200 (remote head) next time ... and a handheld for those tricky moments :roll:

[roby02]

probably a bit late with this but I run a uniden uh090 which is both cb and uhf in one unit, not a lot of people seem to know about them they are smaller in size (size dont matter) :oops: and lighter than most uniden models, its just a simple push of a button to transfer from cb to uhf and the range and performance (which comes down to the aerials that you run) is about the same as single units
have fun
robert