Thread: Which UHF for RRS ?

Chaps

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

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

Help !

Originally Posted by 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

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

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

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 I know I wont intentionally take it into very deep water but you-just-never-know....