Thread: Handheld UHF selection criteria

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.
- I finished up by entering all 80 UHF channels manually.....


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 ?

Originally Posted by superquag

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

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.

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

Don

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

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

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)

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

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.