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Just to repeat the point - since UHF is essentially line of sight, increasing power will not increase range except in the case where you have a sufficient line of sight distance that 5w is inadequate. I am not sure how far that is, but I have regular, easy communications (or interference) between here and Cook's Gap Fire Brigade base station. That is about 90km from here, although both of us are on top of hills with significant antenna towers, high gain antennas, but both operating on 5w.
John
Whilst we are on the topic of commercial radios. Anyone have experience with the Phillips PRM80?
I know of them but haven't used or programmed one.Quote:
Originally Posted by isuzurover
Someone here UHFworld Forum - Powered by vBulletin will know.
Thanks Sleepy, but that forum seems pretty dead, and a search comes up blank... ???Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleepy
An interesting point on antenna mounting, I used to have a work panel van with a ground independant 3DB antenna mounted on the gutter above the drivers door and could reliably communicate with the Dubbo repeater at Nevertire, a distance of approximately 100KM. Subsequent setups on the Bullbar of my Maverick could never match this even with a ground independant 9db antenna and It was usually south of Trangie before I could hit the repeater, a difference of about 40 KM. As anyone who has been out there knows this is very flat country but the difference in antenna mounting made a significant difference.
Regards,
Tote
Sorry bout the bum steer isuzurover. Haven't used that one for a while. Looks like they're all too busy with their soldering irons ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by isuzurover
Some more info here SKINNYS HOME OF RADIO
Hi Steve
If you can afford the high output units get one.
There are is an extensive repeater network thruout aust.You may not be able to hear back but you may be able to get a signal out in an emergency.
Andrew
ok heres the drum forget what u have been told about 25w working not much better than 5 watt i have a tait 2020 an icom 400 pro and a simoco 9020 and i can on a average day talk upto 70 km with a good antenna u get a good 30-50 out of them and off a look out i can talk over 150 km a 5 wat radio is ****e in comparrison yes they work good line of sight but whats the use when you are **** up in the bush 25 will get out much better if not for some 1 to tlk back if you could relay msg over and over and your location you are bound to get help.... like i said i have a gme 3200 on a 1.2:1 vswr response and my simoco running the same antenna kills it ..also on top of all that you also have the added bonus of powerd mics and the such as a gme is 3 wats out and 2 wats modulation making it a 5 watt radio and a 25 is 25 watts out and 4 watt modulation ..out of the technical stuff the comercial will recieve clearer and lower signals you can programme them to do many things and much clearer for the guy listerning to you but if you get a comercial i may suggest a tait 2020 uhf 400-470mhz or 450-480 mhz as they can be tricked to run the 477 band and pic up off ebay 250 and a great reliable radio i had mine for 3 yrs now second hand from hong kong not a problem also can get remote head kits:)
Cheers Shaun
Quote:
Originally Posted by rover4life
An FM signal is just that - modulates the frequency not the amplitude - 5 watts out is just that. If you send an unmodulated signal it has the same output - therefore power mikes make no difference (Unlike the old SSB 27Mhz stuff.:twisted:)
I agree that commercial radios are of a higher quality and your receiver may also be better. The problem is it is illegal to run one on CB 477.
I prefer HF for reliable long distance comms or a SAT Phone. (ELT for emergencies!!)
Nonetheless it sounds like your happy with your radio Shaun.- which is all that really counts ;)
not illeagal to run 477 on commercial only if higher than 5 watts and they sound much clearer and also recieve is better as they are built better as for the distace i can only go on what i have expirenced and that is long distacne and clear signal
Cheers Shaun