Radio discussion

**Grizzly_Adams** · 3rd October 2005, 02:19 AM

G'day All,

Just curious what Radio's people use and why.

Personally I'm not one who can make a decision, so over time I've fitted out my Defender with 3 types.

I've got:
- a normal SSB/AM 40 channel job
- Originally purchased for 4wd'ing, as the SIN wave(?) is better for longer distances or over mountains / hills. ie. you can talk to people further away without a repeater.. idea is it was better when offroad in case I get stuck somewhere by myself, more chance of reaching someone when I couldn't get to a UHF repeater

- a UHF 40 channel
- As this became more and more popular I branched out and purchased this. Generally clearer talk but shorter range unless you lock onto a repeater. Problem is usually alot of other people have locked onto the repeater too (which can be ok in some circumstances and problematic in others)

- a HF
- For my triping around Australia. Would rather a HF radio than a Satellite phone for several reasons. Biggest being that a HF runs over a broadcast, so anyone listening on channel X can hear wher you're saying - whereas Satellite phone is (to my knowledge) a closed circuit. Advantage? Well if you've got a broken leg in the middle of the Simpson somewhere and call for help on the HF, it may well be that someone closer than the flying doctors hears you and can detour your way and help you out sooner...
Disadvantage? It requires a license, which I've yet to get...

**Grizzly_Adams** · 3rd October 2005, 05:21 AM

Dang, forgot to include the option "None"

Oh well

ops:

**incisor** · 3rd October 2005, 06:25 AM

and FM and AM and SW

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

**Dinty** · 3rd October 2005, 05:45 PM

G'day All, I have 40ch AM, 120ch UHF, 88chLow bandVHF, and Codan 8528HF set, also have 2 hand held 40ch UHF for use away from the vehicle as well a CDMA phone it has it's applications as well cheers Dennis

**Ace** · 3rd October 2005, 06:52 PM

I just carry the UHF and my CDMA phone, i would carry more, but i dont have any money and i dont go far out bush to warrant much more. Matt

**JDNSW** · 3rd October 2005, 07:25 PM

Just have UHF, but usually have a CDMA phone, although it is little use far away from towns.

As to why? Since I was travelling round the outback, including the Simpson Desert forty years ago, when there was basically nothing available, I have always worked away from travelled roads on trip plan, keep to it, and be expected at specific times, plus plenty of water and a bit of common sense. Never felt the need for anything more.

Why UHF? - used for local communications - one in the house, one in each Landrover and the tractor, one hand held for the four wheeler, all the neighbours have one in the house and most vehicles. Been used locally for at least twenty years from memory. Useful when travelling in convoy, although CDMA phone is beginning to replace it to some extent on many roads.

Hellspawn · 3rd October 2005, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by JDNSW

Why UHF? - used for local communications - one in the house, one in each Landrover and the tractor, one hand held for the four wheeler, all the neighbours have one in the house and most vehicles. Been used locally for at least twenty years from memory.

Pretty much what mines use is in HS. As mobile coverage on the orchard is very patchy even with an "Uglystick" antenna but the UHF works almost everywhere.

**Bushie** · 3rd October 2005, 09:11 PM

I've got both UHF and AM CBs, both were given to me as gifts at various times [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img] .

In the past I only had AM CB but hire HF if needed for trips.

UHF would have to be the most useful generally and appears to be universally used away from the cities. The ability to contact property/station owners is valuable, and one I have had to use in the past.

The same trip we were talking to inbound RFDS aircraft via UHF (luckily not for us) as well as coordinating things with the closest station via repeater, all this was outback Qld approx 120km east Birdsville.
My then 11yo old daughter raised the closest station via UHF while I was setting up the HF set to call help.

Bushie

**sniperator** · 4th October 2005, 08:41 AM

UHF serves myself well. i will hire HF when going outback. We use handheld UHF units at work and even have our own repeater which works a treat.

**seqfisho** · 4th October 2005, 09:16 AM

UHF for me, used to run 27meg and UHF but the amount of times the 27meg unit got used it wasnt worth getting both last update time, however the amount of ******* these days on UHF when your around town makes me wonder whether 27meg might be the go.

And what ever happened to some form of manners over the airwaves, I keep mine off unless I know that I will be using it to talk like on a trip etc as I cant stand the F's and C' etc that you hear people spraying over the airwaves, try having it on with kids in the car 8O

For outback travel, I'm not so sure, Sat phones are getting cheaper and are very convieient but I like the idea of a wide broadcast if Im in trouble not just to a single point like the sat phones, at least with HF anyone who's tuned in can hear you :wink:

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