CB Radio?

[DefenderRhino]

Anyone recommend a decent CB but don't want to spend a fortune. Cheers in advance.

[Carzee]

Anyone recommend a decent CB but don't want to spend a fortune. Cheers in advance.

How much is a fortune? The best UHF is still half the cost of a green slip.

Icom IC400 Pro 80 Channel UHF CB Radio 4x4 truck tractor | Other Electronics & Computers | Gumtree Australia Brisbane North East - Hendra | 1068656741 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/hendra/other-electronics-computers/icom-ic400-pro-80-channel-uhf-cb-radio-4x4-truck-tractor/1068656741)

not connected to the seller, its just a sample used Icom ad.

[DefenderRhino]

Maybe 2-250 to spend?

[DefenderRhino]

Anyone recommend any other CB's???

[synthium]

I replaced my broken GME UHF with an Aldi one (Onix - 80ch). Aldi was clearing them and I got it for 50. Has lots of functions but the handset feels a bit cheap and the it isn't the most intuitive (i.e. you need to hit menu 5 times and then press and up or down arrow to search through the channels.) All in all I am happy with it for the price. Here is a review by another member - http://www.aulro.com/afvb/communications-car-audio-electronics/204352-review-onix-uhf-cb-aldi-99-special.html

[BadCo.]

Pretty happy with my cheap clearance oricom uhf, didn't want to spend half of a green slip for something I occasionally use.

Just make sure you don't go cheap on the aerial!

[kogvos]

Pretty happy with my cheap clearance oricom uhf, didn't want to spend half of a green slip for something I occasionally use.

Just make sure you don't go cheap on the aerial!
Good advice on the antenna! I use the ZCG stuff. Also pay attention to the power source and antenna cabling route.

I can't provide cheap recommendations on the UHF. I stick with ICOM for fixed and handheld.

[PhilipA]

I have recently bought a
UNIDEN UH7700NB+AT770 80 CHANNEL ANTENNA UHF RADIO PACK+3 YEAR WARRANTY

For $217

Looks great and works well and fits into the top document shelf of my D2.

Although you have to get used to people with 40 channel units saying"you are very faint" . This is because 40 channel units which others are broadcasting on are twice as loud so the 40 channel people set their volume to the first transmission..
The Uniden receives 40 and 80 the same as they have a circuit to equalize 40 channel and 80 channel volume.
We will have this problem until everyone has 80 channel .
Regards Philip A

[DefenderRhino]

And what about an aerial any preferences peeps?

[BadCo.]

And what about an aerial any preferences peeps?

What's your budget? What sort of terrain do you need it for? Aim for something with interchangeable wands so you can adapt for the driving you will be doing.

[DefenderRhino]

No budget and an all over aerial, bush/hwy/ etc

[BadCo.]

I got a gme Ae4018k1 for me and a mate, they are in the middle of the DB range so make a good all rounder and I beleive you can get different wands for them.

Although my application and frequency of use may be different here in NZ!

[Rurover]

I like the GME AE409L antenna.
It's ground plane independent, (so not fussed about where you mount it), can be configured as 6 dB or 9 dB gain, and does not block your view if mounted on the bulbar.
Also it's made of flexible stainless steel, so will flex if it hits a tree branch or carport roof!

Alan

[BadCo.]

I like the GME AE409L antenna.
It's ground plane independent, (so not fussed about where you mount it), can be configured as 6 dB or 9 dB gain, and does not block your view if mounted on the bulbar.
Also it's made of flexible stainless steel, so will flex if it hits a tree branch or carport roof!

Alan

I was originally looking at this one but was turned away as apparently it isn't suitable for bull bar mounting?!

[Rurover]

I was originally looking at this one but was turned away as apparently it isn't suitable for bull bar mounting?!

Not sure why that would be. I have mine mounted on the bullbar, and it seems happy enough.
Being ground plane independent, it's not fussy about what it's mounted on in terms of its electromagnetic performance.

Unless it's something to do with pedestrian safety perhaps?

Alan

[BadCo.]

Not sure why that would be. I have mine mounted on the bullbar, and it seems happy enough.
Being ground plane independent, it's not fussy about what it's mounted on in terms of its electromagnetic performance.

Unless it's something to do with pedestrian safety perhaps?

Alan

They said it would rattle to bits. Not sure of the difference between the bull bar and anywhere else on the car...

Maybe they had a few returns in the past?

[87County]

It has been said that metal fatigue from vibrations will snap the aerial if mounted on the bullbar, but over many many years use I've never seen it happen (urban myth? :) )

From a ped safety pov and your own convenience it needs to be mounted on a tab behind the b/bar.

I've been reading this discussion out of interest and my observation fwiw is that if a cheapo set is working ok, then its performance in the field will not been noticeably less than the most expensive icom. It might not have all the gimmicks but who uses all of them anyway.

That being said, I've just bought a pair of 5w gme handhelds for a use that vehicle mounted 12v radios wouldn't cover. They were $400 for the pair GME TX6150 5W 80CH Wproof UHF CB Handheld Radios + Hardcase (http://www.prestigecom.net.au/gme-tx6150-5w-80ch-wproof-uhf-cb-handheld-radios-hardcase), seemed like reasonable value considering the included extra chargers but they will have features that won't be used.

[dickyjoe]

Not sure on the new ones (since they went to 80 channel) but the TX427S from Electrophone was a cracker. I pluggled my 20 year old Uniden AM/SSB set in the other day and it still goes!

Do people use the extra channels? Are they useful?

[Fluids]

Do people use the extra channels? Are they useful?


While there still alot of 40ch sets out there the extra 40 are nice to find some clear bandwidth without idiots attached ! :D

... but that will eventually change.

[DefenderRhino]

What about uniden or oricom units?

[DefenderRhino]

Is it better to buy a combo deal as well?

[87County]

What about uniden or oricom units?

both seem fine - even gme have now joined the bandwagon getting theirs made in China

[87County]

Is it better to buy a combo deal as well?

if a 2 radio combo - only if you need more than one radio,

if a plug'n'play setup - I'd say yes



PS don't expect too much range out of a handheld if it's less than 5w